Greece holidays hope as country could reopen to tourists much earlier than expected

Greece could reopen to tourists as early as mid-June, according to local reports.

The government has said that by July 1 Greek borders for tourists from the European Union, the Schengen area and Israel will be open.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is due to announce plans to kick-start tourism in the country tomorrow but ekathimerini.com understands that borders could be opened as early as mid-June.

You'll be able to fly with Ryanir to Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Corfu and Chania from July 1, providing travel restrictions are lifted (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The newspaper says that local health authorities have already rubber stamped the plans and all that remains is to finalise the date that borders will be reopened.

This will depend on the country's coronavirus figures - the country has had fewer than 200 COVID-19 deaths, and 3,000 total cases.

The FCO currently advises against all but essential travel.

Beaches in the country reopened yesterday and travel between Crete and the mainland is now allowed.

It's expected that visitors will be able to visit other islands from mid-June.

At the moment if you arriving in the country you are required to take a COVID-19 test and go into quarantine for 14 days.

It is not known when this rule will be lifted.

From July 1 Ryanir will be flying to Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Corfu and Chania.