RHODES – As Greece is hoping to create islands free of COVID-19 through vaccinations, The Netherlands government has okayed a test in which 188 travelers will stay at a closed resort on Rhodes to see if that idea works.

Their vacation at an all-inclusive facility will begin April 12, Dutch media reports said, a plan by the travel industry which is eager to get package deals to Greece growing as the pandemic lingers, likely through the summer.

They will stay for eight days at the resort, not allowed to leave and with entry allowed only by staff, with Coronavirus tests before and after to see if the plan would stave off COVID-19 and could be duplicated elsewhere.

Greece will recognize Israel’s “Green Pass” to allow vaccinated Israeli tourists into the country without a self-isolation period or a coronavirus test, the Israeli  Foreign Ministry said, The Times of Israel reported.

Some 10,000 Israelis will be permitted weekly as Greece aims for a bigger reopening of tourism on May 15 despite warnings that international travel that’s still far below capacity could spread the virus fast again.

Israel has an expanded vaccination program far ahead of that in the European Union that’s lagged in a dispute with AstraZeneca, the United Kingdom company that hasn’t met contractual agreements for deliveries.