Greece: Authorities ease domestic COVID-19 restrictions starting May 3 /update 57

Event

Authorities in Greece plan to start a phased lifting of COVID-19 restrictions starting May 3. From this date, daily curfew hours will be 23:00-05:00 instead of 21:00-05:00. In addition, catering establishments will be allowed to reopen their outdoor areas. Starting May 10, primary and secondary schools will be allowed to reopen. Starting May 15, travel between municipalities will be allowed to fully resume.

A 21:00-05:00 curfew remains in effect until May 3, during which individuals may only leave their homes for essential reasons, such as work-related 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. Residents are currently barred from leaving their home municipalities except for essential purposes such as work on weekdays. Facemasks are mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public settings. In addition, travel between municipalities is permitted on weekends for groups of up to three people or families; all persons must register via text message before traveling. Tighter local restrictions remain in place in areas of higher COVID-19 activity.

International entry restrictions

Most 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. Travelers from European Economic Area- (EEA) associated states, as well as Serbia, Israel, the UAE, the UK, and the US, are not required to self-isolate if they can provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. 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. Authorities are hoping that the epidemiological situation will permit Greece to largely reopen to international tourists from May 14.

All incoming travelers must complete Greece's Passenger Locator Form; individuals will be subject to COVID-19 tests upon arrival 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 currently 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)
World Health Organization (WHO)
General Secretariat for Civil Protection
Passenger Locator Form
Schengen Area Countries