SANTORINI has put up controversial glass screens around sun loungers ahead of the predicted return of British tourists.
The Greek island is the first to put them into place after suggestions they could be introduced at resorts in Spain and Italy.
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Beach bar owner Charlie Chahine says he does not like it, but if that is the way it has to be for tourists to return, then that is what he is doing.
He said: "We hope these constructions you see are not going to be the future for beaches. We don't want this, but if this is necessary, and if this is what people's safety depends on, such a construction or any such construction – we (just) want to work, we want to get going."
Businesses on Greece's most popular holiday island are adopting all kinds of hygiene measures, anxious for the season to start.
They are aware they will have already missed months of business if the country opens to tourists in July, as the government eases lockdown measures that began on March 23.
Santorini is a popular destination for tourists globally – in 2018, two million people visited, with it a favourite of honeymooners.
Vice President of the Santorini Hotel Association Andreas Patiniotis said bookings in June last year were at 70 per cent, while at the moment it hovers at 30 cent at most. He acknowledges things will not be easy.
"I believe we have to start somewhere, so that there is work for our suppliers, for our employees. There are so many people that depend on hotels."
Hotel owner Panagiotis Loutos has been carrying out repairs on his property. Looking at his empty pool, he says it is not just the fears of financial loss. His heart breaks to see his hotel sitting empty.
He said: "We are going to be ready in 10 days, that is the only thing that is sure.
"We see the (preparations) and we are happy, but it hurts, (because) the absence of people – it's something you can't even talk about."
Although keen for business, tourism officials are also eager not to be seen putting the nation in harm’s way.
Greece has had one of the lowest infections rates in Europe with 2,678 confirmed coronavirus cases and 148 deaths.
Yet a poll released by the University of Macedonia revealed that the vast majority of Greeks, worrying the killer bug could be imported into the country, want foreign tourists only to be let in if they have immunity certificates.
More than 93 per cent of the 1,073 people interviewed between April 23-28, said they were in favour of “strict controls” at airports and borders, while a further 74 per cent believed tourists should come only if they have a special Covid-19 immunity certificate.
How the health certificates will work in practice has yet to be decided but senior Greek officials suggested the documents may involve passengers being subject to Covid-19 blood tests before boarding planes.
Emirates began successfully administering rapid on-site blood tests at Dubai International Airport, the carrier’s home base, earlier this month and is now planning to expand the measure to a broader selection of flights.
The survey also found that half (49.4 per cent) said they preferred foreign visitors from other countries with low-infection rates saying they did not think borders should be flung open "to all tourists."
This could mean Brits are off the list, with the country having the highest death rate in Europe.
The tourist season in Greece could just last a few months over the summer, however.
Greece’s tourism minister Harry Theoharis explained that Athens is in talks with big UK tour operators – discussions aimed squarely at opening up resorts on islands that are especially popular with Brits.
Last month, he explained: "Our goal is for the season to begin in July and perhaps extend through October or November.
"Tour operators are hopeful and just waiting to see what the health safeguards, the new rules, will be."
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