Athens Greece - Greek authorities confirmed 2,626 cases of COVID-19 within its borders as of May 3.
- Social distancing measures are in effect until further notice.
- The Greek government’s announced plan for re-opening (subject to change at any time):
- May 4: A mask or facial cover is mandatory in public transportation, taxis, elevators, hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers. Masks are recommended in supermarkets, hair salons and other enclosed spaces. Violators may be fined 150 Euros. Movement certificates are no longer required; however, travel restrictions from one prefecture to another remain in force. Individual outdoor exercise is permitted while organized beaches remain closed. Certain shops are open including: small shops, bookstores, sports stores, garden shops, consumer goods stores, flower shops, electric appliance stores, optical shops, and – by appointment only – hairdressers.
- May 11: Remaining retail stores except for malls and department stores open.
- May 18: Travel restrictions within the country will be lifted, allowing movement from one prefecture to another, except for the islands.
- June 1: Shopping malls, department stores, and hotels that operate year round open. Restaurants and coffee shops operate only open-air premises.
- Early June: Opening of entertainment and sports venues (cinemas, theaters, entertainment centers, gyms, etc.), with social distancing and at 60% capacity. Interior spaces of restaurants and coffee shops open.
- Mid June: Seasonal tourist accommodations open, restoration of regular sea ferry traffic to the islands. This is when the Greek government expects to open the islands for tourism.
- Island access continues to be restricted to permanent residents and may remain so until mid-June. This page will be updated when additional information is available.
- Until May 18, for travel outside of Attica to the Athens Venizelos airport for your immediate return to the United States, we recommend that you write a personal affidavit on a piece of paper consisting of the following information: 1) your full name, 2) your current street address (or location, e.g., Thessaloniki), 3) Reason for moving and destination address. Include this text: “I am returning to my permanent residence in the United States.” 4) Date, time, your signature. This statement does NOT need to be notarized by the U.S. Embassy Athens.
- Air travel to/from Greece to Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany is suspended until May 15; other routes may be closed at any time. Ferry service from Italy to Greece is suspended.
- Land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey are closed.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Non-EU citizens may not enter Greece until May 18. Exceptions include spouses or minor children of EU/Schengen nationals, long-term residents, members of government delegations, and passengers in transit. Check with your airline for document requirements as your marriage certificate or your children’s birth certificates may be required to board.
- We have no information beyond May 18 and cannot answer whether your summer trip will be able to proceed. When the Greek government makes an announcement, we will update this information.
- No particular documentation to enter/exit Greece is needed at this time.
Quarantine Information:
- On March 16, Greek authorities announced a mandatory 14 day self-quarantine on all international arrivals. All international passengers must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival. If you do not agree to the test or to quarantine, you will not be permitted entry into Greece. See the airport’s webpage for details.
Local Resources:
- If you are in Greece and were in any of the affected areas in the last 14 days and develop fever and/or respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath or cough, stay indoors and immediately seek medical attention by contacting the National Public Health Organization at 1135.
- National Public Health Organization of Greece: https://eody.gov.gr/tag/en
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases
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Department of Homeland Security Outlines New Process for Americans Returning from Certain European Countries, China, and Iran
WASHINGTON – In order to help prevent the spread of travel-related cases of coronavirus in the United States, today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf issued a Notice of Arrival Restrictionsoutlining the process for American citizens, legal permanent residents, and their immediate families who are returning home after recently visiting certain European countries (listed below), China, and Iran.
Effective for flights taking off at 11:59 PM EDT on Friday, March 13th, Americans returning from all restricted countries will now be required to travel through the following 13 airports:
Upon arrival, travelers will proceed to standard customs processing. They will then continue to enhanced entry screening where the passenger will be asked about their medical history, current condition, and asked for contact information for local health authorities. Passengers will then be given written guidance about COVID-19 and directed to proceed to their final destination, and immediately home-quarantine in accordance with CDC best practices.
“While the overall risk of serious infection from the coronavirus to the general public remains low at this time, the Trump administration is taking these aggressive measures to keep the risk low, requiring all Americans returning from affected areas in Europe to be funneled through 13 airports for screening upon their return to the U.S.,” said Acting Secretary Wolf. “To minimize disruptions to travelers, TSA, CBP, and air carriers are working to identify qualifying passengers before their scheduled flights. These passengers will be rerouted to one of the 13 airports by their airline at no cost to them.”
Wolf continued: “I understand this new process will be disruptive to some travelers, however this action is needed to protect the general public from further exposure and spread of the coronavirus. Once back in the U.S. it is imperative that individuals honor self-quarantine directives to help protect their loved-ones and communities.”
President Trump determined that the potential for widespread transmission of the coronavirus by infected individuals seeking to enter the United States threatens the security of the homeland. Therefore, the Department is taking action in furtherance of the public health interests advanced by the March 11thpresidential proclamation which suspends entry to nearly all foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries, China and Iran at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled travel to the U.S.
These European countries, known as the Schengen Area, include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This Presidential Proclamation does not apply to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, nor their family members under the age of 21, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation. Nor does it apply to cargo and economic shipping.
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This thread is closed
Katie Jane on March 10th, 2022 at 10:39 am
ReplyI'm on my way to Crete now I will make note of the temp and let you know how it was..