Despite risks, Greek islands keen to reopen to tourists

Mykonos' newest bar-restaurant, Pelican, seemed to appear from nowhere. Tables, coffee machines, light fittings, music mixers and staff wearing matching black face masks were still being slotted into place as Greek visitors trickled in at the start of a long holiday weekend.

Owner Vasilis Theodorou says he's in a hurry to get back to business.

Greece is, too.

Heavily reliant on tourism, the country officially opens to foreign arrivals Monday. Its hopes are pinned on prime destinations like the islands of Mykonos, Rhodes, Corfu, Crete and Santorini, where regular ferry services have already resumed and direct international flights will start July 1.

Greece has gambled on a decision to relax Covid-19 health inspections at ports and airports to try to avoid another crippling recession, having only recently emerged from a painful financial crisis.<...