Greece: Attica region to go on lockdown starting Feb. 11 due to an increase in COVID-19 infection rates /update 44

Event

Authorities in Greece will place the Attica region on lockdown, effective Feb. 11, due to an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Attica includes the city of Athens and its surrounding metropolitan area. Under the new directive, all retail stores, except for grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as schools and places of worship, will close. The measure will be in place until at least Feb. 28.

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. 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. Nonessential domestic flights are currently suspended. Facemasks are mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public settings.

In the townships of Thira, Mykonos, Chaldika, Patras, and Agios Nikolaos, all nonessential shops are closed and nonessential movement into or out of the municipalities is prohibited. These measures are in place until at least Feb. 15.

Travel Restrictions
Domestic flight restrictions have been extended until Feb. 15, while international flight restrictions have been extended until Feb. 22. The domestic flight restrictions prohibit nonessential travel. Only essential trips, such as those necessary for healthcare, family responsibilities, essential business, or to return to a permanent residence, are permitted.

Under the international flight restrictions, 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. Additionally, all arrivals from the UK must take a rapid antigen test upon entry; airport authorities are also performing random checks of arrivals from other locations. A second test, taken up to seven days after arrival, may be applicable. Any traveler testing positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate for at least 14 days. All international travelers must also complete Greece's Passenger Locator Form.

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, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, 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.

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