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ATHENS, May 30-- Greece's 517 Blue-flagged beaches, marinas and tourism vessels are set to welcome tourists under strict safety rules in the new COVID-19 pandemic era, according to Greek officials and experts. The country's tourism industry is kick-starting for the summer season after a full lockdown earlier this spring that helped flatten the curve. With the new cases and fatalities in Greece counted mostly under 10 in the past few days, the economy has started to gradually restart from early May. On Saturday, the Health Ministry announced seven new cases and no death within the past 24 hours. The country now has a total of 2,915 infections, including 175 fatalities since the start of the outbreak on Feb. 26. On June 1, all-year hotels in the country will reopen. The Tourism Ministry on Friday announced the first list of 29 countries, including China, that can start sending tourists to Greece as of June 15, when the international flights to Athens and Thessaloniki resume. On July 1, more countries are expected to be added to the list, based on epidemiological data, the Greek government said. Meanwhile, beaches across Greece have opened after getting "safety facelifts" to ensure appropriate social distancing between bathers. Xinhua was given a tour on Friday around the popular beaches of Athens where the new post-COVID-19 operation protocol is applied. A minimum distance of four meters is maintained between sets of umbrellas and sunbeds, which are regularly disinfected, as well as in showers. | 
