Covid-19 & Travel To Greece

What is the last Covid-19 (Coronavirus) rate in Greece?

As of January 2, 2021, The number of total cases is 140.099 and the death toll is 4.957 in Greece (

Worldmeters.info

).

Is the mask mandatory in Greece? Is there a fine for not following mask rule?

• The use of mask is required and mandatory within all sorts of transportation including taxis with 3 passengers limited, supermarkets, retail/food stores, all enclosed shops and salons, hospitals and clinics, public service offices, banks, and elevators.
• The fine was 150 euros for not following the mask rule in enclosed spaces where it is required. With the last high number of cases and deaths due to the Covid, the mask has been mandatory for not only indoors but also outdoors and the fine for the violation of mask rule has been increased to 300 euros.
• The Greek Government recently made the declaration of more strict measures for the increase in Covid-19 cases. In regions where the risk level is high consisting of Attica and Thessaloniki, masks will be mandatory in all locations, including outdoors. Furthermore, between 10:00pm and 05:00am the curfew will be imposed, excluding people who work night hours and in emergencies.
• Recent news in the country about coronavirus is not really pleasant. As a result of that, the government had declared a lockdown in the country as of November 6 to December 1. However, since the expected result in the beginning of December was not achieved, the government had to extend the lockdown part by part, the last said was until 11th January.

Can I travel to Greece? What are the flight restrictions to Greece?

Residents from European Union (EU) and some additional countries can travel and fly to Greece. As of 2 January 2021 pursuant to the recommendation of European Union Council (

the list of non-EU countries

) and the national determination, the additional countries are Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Rwanda, Japan, China. Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican residents will be considered as EU residents.

• China is depended on the reciprocity principle.
• Passengers of flights required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19: Bulgaria, Romania, UAE, Malta, Belgium, Spain, Albania, North Macedonia and Hungary (as of September 16), from Czech Republic (as of September 28) and Poland as of October 3 to Greece.
• PCR must be performed up to 72 hours before the entry to Greece.

The residents of other countries can travel to Greece only under the essential travel conditions.

As of 11 November 2020, all foreign nationals traveling to Greece will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19 conducted up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Greece. This includes Greece’s air and land arrivals.

What is the essential traveler?

Greek citizens, permanent residents of Greece, and travelers for essential professional reasons (health/medical, business, urgent family business, international protection) are counted as essential travelers.

What are the requirements from travelers?

The Greek Government has declared the conditions for travelers of the countries allowed to travel to Greece since July 1 of 2020. All travelers, allowed to travel to Greece, must fulfill the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) 48 hours before entering the country. The form contains of detailed information on traveler’s point of departure, the duration of previous stays in other countries, and the accommodation address during stay in Greece, at least for the first 24 hours. Each family is required to submit one PLF.

For the passengers from the countries mentioned before need to have PCR COVID-19 test 72h before departure.

As of 11 November 2020, all foreign nationals traveling to Greece will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19 conducted up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Greece. This includes Greece’s air and land arrivals.

What is the process of Passenger Locator Form (PLF)?

Upon the completion of a PLF, travelers will receive a confirmation email. At the beginning of (at midnight) their expected arrival date in Greece, travelers will receive the PLF with their special Quick Response (QR) code and will be informed by email (the QR code will be given by a connection in the confirmation email). On viewing the confirmation text, passengers boarding or embarking on the previous day of arrival will be permitted, so they will receive their QR code during their flight or journey.

What are the requirements for PCR COVID-19 test obligators?

Only visitors who bear a negative RT-PCR test result document will be allowed into the country by the border authorities. Children under 10 years of age are not subjected to PCR testing obligations. Travelers will also have to complete and apply their PLF form and may, upon arrival at the Greek border, be subject to random checking. The documents must be written in English and carry the traveler ‘s name and passport / national identification number.

The laboratories conducting the RT-PCR tests should be:

1. National Reference laboratories
2. National Public Health Laboratories or
3. Private laboratories which are accredited from the respective national accreditation authorities.

Documents which do not follow the standards above will not be recognized. The forgery of documents is punishable by Greek law.

What are the last measures in Greece for Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

Because of the last increased Covid-19 cases, day by day the Greek Government makes a new the declaration of more strict measures. Due to that we would like to give you each novel news about the measures with their date respectively.

—2021—

January 2: More strict measures will be mandated from 6am January 3 to 6am January11. Suspended operations: The “click away” shopping method in retail stores, the operation of bookstores, hairdressers, nail salons and vehicle inspection services (KTEO). Banned activities: Fishing and hunting, outdoor public ceremonies, moving out from 9pm to 5am excluding night workers, health reasons and walking a pet. Sunday services will be carried out in churches provided that to apply necessary precautions.

—2020—

December 7: The Greek Government spokesman Stelios Petsas declared on Monday; schools, restaurants and courts in Greece will stay closed and the night curfew (21:00/05:00) will be in action until January 7.

December 4: As of 11 November 2020, all foreign nationals traveling to Greece will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19 conducted up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Greece. This includes Greece’s air and land arrivals.

Due to the recent unpleasant news about coronavirus in Greece, the government has declared a lockdown in the country as of November 6 to December 1. However, since the expected result in the beginning of December was not achieved, the government had to extend the lockdown for another 2 weeks untill December 14, 2020.

5 November: According to the

news

, the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed to the nation on 5th of November (Thursday) and announced that a nationwide lockdown will be imposed from November 7 until November 30 because of the vital increase in corona virus cases.

Just a few days before the lockdown announcement, some new measures such as the closure of restaurants, bars and cafes were already declared but the delivery service. From the beginning of the lockdown only the supermarkets, pharmacies, pet shops, bakeries, butcher shops and the shops with delivery services stay open. Middle and high school will be closed and online education will take place. Kinder gardens and primary schools will remain open. Citizens are supposed to send SMS with the reason to go out, they will be able to go out after the permission received.

As of 26 October: In regions where the risk level is high consisting of Attica and Thessaloniki, masks will be mandatory in all locations, including outdoors, even in restaurants until clients get seated. Furthermore, between 12:30am and 05:00am the curfew will be imposed, excluding people who work night hours and in emergencies.

The capital city of Greece is Athens and It takes place in the region of Attica.

From September 21 until October 4, the following additional restrictive measures are taken in Attica which have been announced by

the local authorities

:

• Maximum 9 people is allowed for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Areas where special distance measures apply, such as health stores, are excluded.
• All concerts are suspended, both outdoors and indoors.
• Cinemas are suspended.
• Weddings and funerals are restricted with the maximum number of 20 people.
• To protect vulnerable groups or are 65 years and older, it is recommended:

1. To limit the next 14 days their movements, if it is necessary, always taking the appropriate protective measures,
2. To avoid contacting people other than their family,
3. To avoid traveling by public transport.

• To protect the health of workers:

1. Mandatory teleworking at 40% for employees in the Private and Public Sector.
2. Transportation to/from work in three waves to the public sector at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 am.
3. Transportation for Private sector employees in four waves within two hours of the start and the end of working hours.

From September 16 until September 30, the following additional restrictive measures have been announced by

the local authorities

for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Corfu, Karditsa, Rethymno, Lassithi, Paros (and Antiparos), Santorini, Volos, Rhodes and Kos:

• Ban on the operation of restaurants and entertainment venues from midnight until 7 in the morning.
• A maximum of 50 people for all public and social events and gatherings, except those to which special rules apply, such as in restaurants, theaters, cinemas.

Finally, it is noted that in the regime of special restrictive measures remain: Chania, Heraklion, Halkidiki, Zakynthos, Lesvos, Pella, Pieria, Imathia and Kilkis, as well as Mykonos:

• Suspension of any kind of public events,
• Prohibition of public or private gatherings of more than nine people,
• Maximum limits of four people per table in restaurants (six people if they are immediate family),
• Mandatory use of face masks indoors and outdoors.

Can I take COVID-19 Test by myself in Greece?

Yes you can.

• At major hospitals in Greece,
• Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (at Arrivals level between entrances 2-3).
• Testing of which the average cost is between 100-120 is paid by the individual being tested.
• COVID-19 hotline (Nation. Public Health Organ.) at 1135 for guidance and for medical care.

Additional Info:

• Please visit

  gov.gr

  for detailed information on PCR test requirements, depending on departure point and port of entry into Greece.

• Both air, land or sea tourists will be subject to random testing upon arrival. Travelers transfer to their final destination upon being checked. In the case of a positive outcome, costs covered by the Greek State will be contacted and put on a 14-day quarantine.

• Travelers are mandated by boat and airline companies to complete a health status questionnaire, submit to a temperature check, and wear a mask.

• For the time being there is no lockdown on a countrywide or a local basis but with the increase in cases and death toll, local authorities can impose curfew with little or no advance warning.

• Travelers should be ready for the possibility that, with little or no advance warning, the Greek Government would apply additional travel restrictions.## Covid-19 & Travel To Greece