Greece: Health officials to tighten COVID-19-related restrictions in certain areas from Feb. 27 /update 47

Event

Authorities in Greece have issued orders tightening COVID-19-related restrictions in several areas of the country due to an increase in infection rates. Effective Feb. 27, the islands of Lefkada, Syros and Samos, the towns of Arta and Amphilochia in western Greece, the Corinth area, and the city of Heraklion on the island of Crete will be on lockdown. All nonessential stores and schools will be closed. At the same time, authorities have extended the lockdown in the Attica region (including the city of Athens and the surrounding metropolitan area) until at least March 8. In addition, a lockdown remains in place in Evia, Achaia, and Arcadia. Under these directives, all retail stores, except for grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as schools and places of worship, will remain closed.

Existing measures that remain in effect at the national level include a daily 2100-0500 curfew, during which individuals may only leave their homes for essential reasons, such as performing their employment duties or seeking medical assistance. The curfew hours are 1800-0500 in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Halkidiki on weekends. A stricter 1800-0500 curfew is also being enforced daily in some high-risk areas. Prior to leaving their homes during curfew hours, residents must either receive approval from authorities by sending a text message to 13033 or obtain a certificate from their employer. Officials may grant text-based requests for essential reasons, including medical appointments or exercise. Shoppers must register via text before setting out and complete their trips within two hours. Residents are currently barred from leaving their home prefectures except for essential purposes such as work. Facemasks are mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public settings

International entry restrictions
The Greek government has also extended the nation's entry restrictions until at least March 8. All international arrivals must present a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, and self-isolate for seven days upon arrival. All incoming travelers must complete Greece's Passenger Locator Form; individuals will be subject to COVID-19 tests upon landing based on their Passenger Locator Form information. Additionally, all arrivals from the UK must take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test after 7 days of self-isolation. Any traveler testing positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate for at least 14 days.

Entry remains prohibited for all non-EEA nationals with certain exceptions, such as healthcare workers, permanent residents of an EU or Schengen Area country, diplomats, student visa holders, seasonal workers, passengers in transit, and transport workers. Citizens of Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Russia, Thailand, the UAE, and the UK are also exempt from the travel ban. Flights connecting with Turkey remain suspended. Additionally, all land border crossings - with the exception of the Promachonas crossing with Bulgaria - remain closed to nonessential traffic. Domestic flight restrictions, which prohibit nonessential travel, have been extended until March 1. Only essential trips, such as those for healthcare, family responsibilities, essential business, or to return to a permanent residence, are permitted.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

Greek Government Coronavirus Portal (Greek)
Financial Measures Introduced by Authorities
World Health Organization (WHO)
General Secretariat for Civil Protection
Passenger Locator Form
Schengen Area Countries