Greece
Travel restrictions
As of July 1st 2020, flights have resumed to most Greek airports. However, Greece will currently only allow EU citizens and EU residents to enter.
The following restrictions apply until April 19th 2021:
- All passengers of international flights arriving to Greece will have to show a negative molecular test (PCR) for COVID-19, taken up to 72 hours before their entry. Upon their arrival, they will also be subject to random testing (rapid tests) as per the procedure described in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
- All flight passengers entering Greece, whether arriving from a third country or from a European Union Member State, will have to self-isolate for seven (7) days, as a precaution, at home or at their sojourn address stated in the PLF form.
- Third country citizens (i.e. outside the EU and the Schengen Area) are not allowed to enter Greece. Exceptions apply to residents of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the Russian Federation and Israel.
- Flights from the United Kingdom: all incoming passengers from the United Kingdom will have to take a rapid test upon arrival. They will additionally have to take a new PCR test, once their 7-day isolation period ends. If the outcome is negative, then the precautionary mandatory self-isolation will be lifted.
- a 14-day period has elapsed since their vaccination
- they show a negative molecular test (PCR) for Covid-19, taken up to 72 hours before their entry in Greece.
- All travelers entering Greece are subject to a mandatory seven-day preventive quarantine.
The Bulgarian Promachonas border station is open. All entrants must have a doctor’s certificate written in English and a negative molecular test for COVID-19 conducted no more than 72 hours prior.
The land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey is allowed for essential travel.
As of November 9th, 2020 arrivals by sea (e.g. of private yachts, cruise ships, ferries and any other type of tourist boat), regardless of flag or port of origin, are prohibited. Ferry service with Turkey and Albania has been discontinued until further notice.
Twenty four hours before entering Greece, visitors will have to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) where they will provide their contact details in the country. Targeted and random testing will take place to aid the epidemiological research.
On July 9th 2020, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted procedures for international arrivals: https://travel.gov.gr/#/
If you are tested for COVID-19, you are permitted to travel to your final destination where you must self quarantine for 24 hours. If positive, you will be notified and quarantined for 14 days. If negative, you will not be notified, and there are no additional quarantine restrictions.
Measures taken by the government
The Greek government announced its two-month plan in reopening Greece’s market in several stages. Greece’s return to normalcy will take place starting from May 4th 2020 with the opening of some shops and services, such as bookstores, electronic stores and hair salons. More shops and services will open on May 11th 2020, continue to open on May 18th and then again on June 1st.
From June 1st 2020 and for the period of a month, stages 4 to 7 will be implemented. These stages will start lifting one by one the lockdown restrictions and reopen the market in the following order: shopping malls, outdoor restaurants, cafes, summer cinemas, year-round hotels, amusement parks, theme parks, outdoor playgrounds, indoor restaurants, indoor cafes, seasonal hotels and resorts, and indoor sports facilities.
Travel by ferry to and from Greek islands is permitted. Masks are required. Passengers must complete a health status questionnaire and submit to a temperature check prior to boarding for trips longer than 30 minutes.
The Greek government has announced more strict measures to combat the rising number of COVID-19 cases, using a three-tiered system beginning November 3rd, 2020.
As of November 3rd 2020, across the country, regardless of the level of health safety and protection of each area, the following applies:
- Mandatory use of masks everywhere.
- Mandatory telework at least 50% in the private and public sector.
- Compulsory distance learning in universities.
- Suspension of visitation in all welfare structures.
- All retail and wholesale, as well as industry are open. Schools open. The open-air archeological sites are open. Hotels and hairdressers are open.
In addition, from November 3rd 2020, the 4 levels of health insurance and protection are merged into 2 levels in the following way:
level 1 (green) and level 2 (yellow) are merged into level A '-supervision (yellow)
levels 3 (orange) and 4 (red) merge into level B '- increased risk (red).
In regions with “increased risk” (red), gatherings of any size are banned, restaurants are restricted to take-out/delivery only, and operation of museums, gyms, playgrounds, movie theaters, nightclubs and other entertainment facilities is suspended.
Further restrictive measures may be imposed in any region with higher incidence of COVID-19 with little to no advance notice.
Authorities announced 24-hour movement restrictions, mandatory three day quarantine for travelers arriving from abroad, an expanded nighttime curfew from 9pm to 5am, suspension of many business and entertainment operations, prohibition of gatherings, restrictions of restaurant operations to delivery/carry-out only, and restrictions on travel between regions in Greece.
These measures will be coupled with a strict enforcement effort.
Testing
COVID-19 tests are available at many major hospitals in Greece, as well as the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (at Arrivals level between entrances 2-3). Testing is paid by the individual being tested. The cost for COVID-19 PCR tests is capped at 60 euros.
Patients needing COVID-19 tests or exhibiting possible symptoms may contact the COVID-19 hotline at 1135 for guidance on testing and referral for medical care.
Travelers are recommended to contact testing centers in advance for appointments and not expect to be able to test and receive results the day of travel.
Test results may be delivered by e-mail or in hard copy provided in person; consult with the testing facility regarding the method results are communicated for your specific circumstance.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
While in Greece, if you notice any symptoms related to COVID-19, please call the National Public Health Organization in 1135.
Source:
Destination Greece - Health First https://greecehealthfirst.gr/
Published on April 12th 2021 (checked on April 14th 2021)
US Embassy in Greece https://gr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on April 14th 2021 (checked on April 14th 2021)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx