Greece: Authorities to ease certain domestic COVID-19-related restrictions from April 5 /update 53

Event

Authorities in Greece plan to ease certain domestic COVID-19-related restrictions. Starting April 5, retail stores (except for department stores and shopping malls) will be allowed to reopen. In addition, travel between municipalities will be permitted on weekends for groups of up to three people or families; all persons must register via text message before traveling.

A number of existing restrictions on domestic activity are still in force as of March 31. A 21:00-05:00 curfew remains in effect. During curfew hours, individuals may only leave their homes for essential reasons, such as performing their employment duties or seeking medical assistance. 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 three hours. Residents are currently barred from leaving their home prefectures except for essential purposes such as work on weekdays. Facemasks are mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public settings.

Tighter local restrictions remain in place in certain areas, including the Athens metropolitan area, Thessaloniki, Corinth, Larissa, Chalkidiki, Ioannina, and Lesvos.

Domestic air travel restrictions remain in place until at least April. 5. Only essential trips are permitted, such as those for healthcare, family responsibilities, essential business, or to return to a permanent residence.

International entry restrictions
Current international travel restrictions will remain in effect until April 5, at which time the Greek government plants to ease at least some of the measures. 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, South Korea, Switzerland, Russia, Thailand, the UAE, and the UK are also exempt from the ban. Flights connecting with Turkey remain suspended.

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. All persons entering from the UAE must submit to a rapid antigen test upon arrival. Travelers entering from the UK must submit to a rapid antigen test upon arrival, self-isolate for seven days, and take a PCR test after their isolation period.

Additionally, all land border crossings - with the exception of the Promachonas crossing with Bulgaria - remain closed to nonessential traffic. All travelers entering from the Kakavia crossing with Albania and Evzones border crossings with North Macedonia must take a rapid COVID-19 test and self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival unless they are transiting, in which case they are not required to self-isolate.

Starting April 5, authorities will lift the restrictions on flights from Turkey, Albania, and North Macedonia.

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