Does tourism affect the long term course of COVID-19 pandemic in a country of destination? Evidence from a popular Greek island in 2020 where control measures were implemented

Greece opened its points of entry on July 1, 2020, with specific guidelines for travellers arriving by sea, air or land. The aim this article is to examine the effect tourism long term course Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic during pre-vaccination era (June December 2020) popular Greek island Crete. To achieve this, a cross-sectional serosurvey, repeated at monthly intervals, was conducted compare seroprevalence in Crete mainland Greece. welcomed nearly 2,000,000 2020 summer season. Left-over serum samples were collected and obtained from public private laboratories located Greece, including These tested presence anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. A total 55,938 collected, 3,785 which originated In Crete, ranged between 0% 2.58% (December 2020), while corresponding 0.19% 10.75%, respectively. We identified 4.16 times lower seropositivity (2.58%) comparison (10.75%) 2020. Moreover, infection fatality rate (IFR) calculated 0.09%, compared 0.21% presented more than four despite being highly attractive tourist destination. This evidence supports idea that may not have affected COVID-19 However, due contradicting results previous studies, further investigation needed.