Greece
Travel restrictions
As of July 1st, flights have resumed to all Greek airports from all countries, except for those seriously affected by Covid-19, as per EU guidelines. Direct flights between Greece and the United Kingdom are suspended until July 15th.
As of July 2nd, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not posted the official updated travel restrictions. The following information is based on the EU Commission’s recommendations to members of the EU, which the Greek authorities are expected to implement:
Restrictions from entering Greece from outside the European Union (including the United States) remain in place.
EU passport holders are allowed entry, including permanent residents of Schengen countries, plus Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK. Non-EU passport holders with EU permanent residence permits may enter Greece.
Additionally, residents of these 14 countries are permitted to enter the EU: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay. Your residence, not your passport, determines whether you can enter the EU. If you reside in the EU or one of the 14 countries, you may enter Greece. The Greek authorities have not detailed the requirements for proving residence. If you do not have a permanent residence (e.g., nomadic lifestyle, live on a boat, etc.), you must contact the closest Greek Embassy or consulate for clarification. If you are not in one of the categories above, you cannot enter Greece.
The Bulgarian Promachonas border station is open to visitors with travelers subject to random COVID-19 testing and NO quarantine requirements.
Please note that, as of July 6th (until July 15th), Serbian citizens are not allowed to enter Greece.
The land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey remain closed with no scheduled opening date given.
International sea arrivals are permitted beginning July 1st.
Upon entering Greece, visitors will have to fill in a Form where they will provide their contact details in the country. Random testing will take place to aid the epidemiological research.
As of July 1st, the mandatory COVID-19 test and 14 day quarantine will no longer be required.
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 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, continue to open on May 18th and then again on June 1st. The exact dates for the following stages will be announced after May 18th.
From June 1st 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.
A mask or facial cover is mandatory in public transportation, taxis, elevators, hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers. Masks are recommended in supermarkets, hair salons and other enclosed spaces.
Social distancing measures are in effect until further notice.
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.
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:
Visit Greece http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/home/about_covid_19
Published on July 7th (checked on July 8th)
US Embassy in Greece https://gr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on July 7th (checked on July 8th)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx