Greece: Authorities to tighten certain localized COVID-19 restrictions, ease some nationwide restrictions starting March 20. /update 51

Event

Authorities in Greece have issued orders tightening local COVID-19-related restrictions in certain areas, while easing some nationwide measures. Starting March 20, local measures will be tightened in Mykonos, Zakynthos, Amphipolis, Orestida, Kastoria, and Karditsa; the existing enhanced restrictions in multiple areas, including the Athens metropolitan area, Thessaloniki, Corinth, Larissa, Chalkidiki, Ioannina, and Lesvos, will be extended. All nonessential stores and schools are closed in these locations. Moreover, local curfews are in effect nightly between the hours of 19:00-05:00, except for Thessaloniki and Athens, where curfew hours are 21:00-05:00.

Effective March 22, Greece's national-level weekend curfew will start two hours later, running between the hours of 21:00-05:00 rather than the current 19:00-05:00 time frame. This brings the weekend curfew into line with the country's existing 21:00-05:00 weekday curfew, which will remain in effect except where indicated otherwise. 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 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.

Domestic air travel restrictions remain in place until 06:00 March 22. Only essential trips are permitted, such as those for healthcare, family responsibilities, essential business, or to return to a permanent residence.

International travel restrictions
International air travel restrictions will remain in place until at least March 22; entry is 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 travel 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.

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