Aggiornamento Covid-19

Dear traveler

We welcome you to Thessaloniki and wish you enjoy a wonderful, unforgettable holiday experience.

Are you planning to travel to Greece in the coming weeks? Here’s information you need to know before and during your trip.

The Passenger Locator Form (PLF- GDPR compliant) is a necessary travel document for you to be able to enter the country. Visit travel.gov.gr to access it and fill in the requested information about your point of departure, the duration of your previous stays in other countries as well as your address in Greece.

To help you better prepare for your trip and plan your safe stay in our country, we have created GREECE HEALTH FIRST, a webpage that contains information and answers to queries you may have about travelling to Greece, so that you can enjoy your trip in as safe a manner as possible.

We would like to inform you that the government measures regarding the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic are regularly updated, based on the latest epidemiological data in Greece.

Locations for COVID-19 Tests

The list of all locations where you can take a COVID -19 test (PCR or rapid antigen test) can be found here.

Flights

For the protection of passengers and citizens from COVID-19, the following rules are in place until 6:00 a.m., April 18^th 2022:

The residents of European Union & Schengen Area countries, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Benin, Cape Verde, Chinese Taipei (not recognised as a sovereign state by Greece), Colombia, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Tunesia, Turkey, Vatican City, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay, who are in  possession of the European Union Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC), may visit Greece for pleasure. EUDCC holders must provide information on their status in the form of:

• a Covid-19 vaccination certificate valid up to nine (9) months for those who have had their first and second dose (depending on the vaccine) and indefinitely for those who have had the booster shot as well, or
• a Covid-19 recovery certificate, valid up to six (6) months, or
• a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19 taken within seventy-two (72) hours or to a rapid (antigen) test done within twenty-four (24) hours before their arrival.

Travellers from Australia, the USA, and Canada, too, must present either a certificate of vaccination or recovery, or a negative result to a Covid-19 test, as described above.

Irrespective of their vaccination status, travellers from countries not mentioned above must show one of the following documents:

• a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19, taken within seventy-two (72) hours before their entry in Greece, or
• a negative result to a rapid (antigen) test done within twenty-four (24) hours before their arrival.

The certificates must be issued by an accredited testing laboratory in the English language.

Flight passengers will be subject to random testing (PCR or rapid test), upon arrival. If a traveller tests positive, then they will have to quarantine for five (5) days. After that period, the quarantine will be lifted provided that there are either no more symptoms or the symptoms are significantly relieved, and their body temperature has been reduced to normal for the last 24 hours without the use of medication. Should the passenger continue to run a fever after the fifth day, then they remain in isolation until the body temperature is normal again. These passengers will have to wear either a high filtration mask (FFP2 or N95), or a double face mask (a cloth mask and a surgical mask), for five (5) more days after their isolation period.

The above prerequisites for entering Greece also apply to children aged five (5) and older.

Protocol for passengers travelling by air: See more info here.

Land borders

Land border arrivals take place through Kakavia, Mertziani, and Mavromatio entry points (from Albania), through Evzones, Doirani, Niki, and Krystallopigi cross points (from North Macedonia), through Promachonas, Ormenio, Nymfea, and Exochi border checkpoints (from Bulgaria), as well as through Kipoi and Kastanies entry points from Turkey.

By 6 a.m., April 18^th 2022, the following rules are in place for travellers at the Greek borders:  

The residents of European Union & Schengen Area countries, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Benin, Cape Verde, Chinese Taipei (not recognised as a sovereign state by Greece), Colombia, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Tunesia, Turkey, Vatican City, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay, who are in  possession of the European Union Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC), may visit Greece for pleasure. EUDCC holders must provide information on their status in the form of:

• a Covid-19 vaccination certificate valid up to nine (9) months for those who have had their first and second dose (depending on the vaccine) and indefinitely for those who have had the booster shot as well, or
• a Covid-19 recovery certificate, valid up to six (6) months, or
• a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19 taken within seventy-two (72) hours or to a rapid (antigen) test done within twenty-four (24) hours before their arrival.

Travellers from Australia, the USA, and Canada, too, must present either a certificate of vaccination or recovery, or a negative result to a Covid-19 test, as described above.

Irrespective of their vaccination status, travellers from countries not mentioned above must show one of the following documents:

• a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19, taken within seventy-two (72) hours before their entry in Greece, or
• a negative result to a rapid (antigen) test done within twenty-four (24) hours before their arrival.

The certificates must be issued by an accredited testing laboratory in the English language.

Travellers may be subject to random testing (PCR or antigen rapid test), upon arrival. If a traveller tests positive, then they will have to quarantine for five (5) days. After that period, the quarantine will be lifted provided that there are either no more symptoms or the symptoms are significantly relieved, and their body temperature has been reduced to normal for the last 24 hours without the use of medication. Should the passenger continue to run a fever after the fifth day, then they remain in isolation until their body temperature is normal again. These passengers will have to wear either a high filtration mask (FFP2 or N95), or a double face mask (a cloth mask and a surgical mask), for five (5) more days after their isolation period.

The above guidelines must be followed by all Greek and foreign travellers aged five (5) and older.

Protocol for passengers arriving by land: More information here

Cruise

Αdditional precautionary measures

Accommodation:

For the accommodation of guests in tourist establishments across the country, any one of the following documents must be shown, upon arrival:

• a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19, issued by their country’s national authority in the English language, on the condition that a fourteen (14) day period has elapsed since these visitors were fully vaccinated. It is valid up to nine (9) months for those who have had their first and second dose (depending on the vaccine) and indefinitely for those who have had the booster shot as well;
• a certificate of recovery from COVID-19, issued by a national authority / an accredited testing laboratory in the English language. The certificate can be issued fourteen (14) days after the first positive test result and it is valid for six (6) months after that test.
• a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19, taken within 72 hrs before their arrival, or a negative rapid test taken within 48 hrs before, issued by an accredited testing laboratory in the English language;

Minors from 4-17 years old, who are not in possession of any of the above documents must show a negative self-test done up to 24 hours before, stating their self-test result on the following pdf, which can be downloaded here.

Tourist accommodation establishment managers are required to create an action plan, to have a health protocol in place for each part of the establishment and be ready to deal with a potential Covid-19 case, in accordance with the current guidelines of the National Public Health Organisation.

Restaurants and cafés / bars

Customers are accepted in the indoor spaces of restaurants, cafés, nightclubs, bars, pubs, boîtes etc. by showing their Covid-19 vaccination certificate or recovery certificate (valid up to 6 months after illness), with an identity check.  Minors from 4-17 years old, who are not in possession of any of the above documents must show a negative self-test done up to 24 hours before, stating their self-test result on the following pdf, which can be downloaded here.

In the outdoor spaces of the above establishments, customers have to show either a certificate of vaccination or recovery (valid up to 6 months after illness), or a negative PCR test done up to 72 hours before entering or a negative rapid test taken up to 48 hours before, with an identity check. Minors from 4-17 years old who are not in possession of any of the above documents can enter the premises by showing a negative self-test as described above.

The use of masks is mandatory for customers waiting for a table or making their way into the premises, and strongly recommended for those already seated.

Culture/ Entertainment: 

Archaeological sites are open to visitors. The ones over 18 years of age are required to show a certificate of vaccination or illness (up to 6 months after illness) or a negative PCR test done up to 72 hours before entering or a rapid test taken up to 48 hours before their visit, with identity check. Minors from 4-17 years old, who are not in possession of any of the above documents, must show a negative self-test done up to 24 hours before, stating their self-test result on the following pdf, which can be downloaded here. Visitors can enter in groups of up to twenty (20) people (unless they are families), and during their stay they must wear a mask and observe physical distancing. The number increases to up to 40 people where groups with a guide are concerned, provided that visitors show any one of the documents required for entrance, as described above.

All museums and monuments in indoor spaces throughout the country are open to the public and operate in compliance with sanitary measures (distances between attendees, use of a mask, etc.). Visits of groups of up to 20 people are allowed, unless they are families. Visitors aged 18 or over enter with the presentation of a certificate of vaccination or disease (up to 6 months after illness), with identity check, while minors from 4 to 17 years old – if not in possession of any of the above documents – must submit a self-test, done as described above.

Cinemas operate at full capacity. Spectators aged 18 or over enter upon presentation of a certificate of vaccination or illness (up to 6 months after illness) with identity check, whereas minors aged 4 to 17 – if not in possession of any of the above documents – must show a negative self-test, done as described above.

It is mandatory to issue an electronic ticket, comply with all sanitary measures, and wear a face mask.

Live events (theatre or dance performances, concerts etc.), in open spaces take place with seated people only, and up to 65% – 100% capacity, depending on venue size. Indoor spaces may operate at full capacity. Spectators aged 18 or over are required to show a certificate of vaccination or of a past Covid-19 illness (up to 6 months after illness), with identity check, while for minors from 4 to 17 years old a negative self-test is required (as above).

In any case, the issuance of an electronic ticket, the use of a mask and the observance of all sanitary measures are mandatory.

The following rules apply to ski centre operation:

• restaurants / cafeterias in chalets will run according to the sanitary measures announced for eating establishments (See the Dining section).
• retail shops and gear renting businesses admit customers who show a certificate of vaccination or past illness (up to 6 months after illness), or a negative PCR test done up to 72 hours before entering, or a rapid test taken up to 48 hours before, with identity check. Minors aged 4 to 17 – if not in possession of any of the above documents – must show a negative self-test, (see the first paragraph).
• The guest houses will run according to the sanitary measures announced for the accommodation establishments (See the Accommodation section).

Passengers on chairlifts and closed cabins with natural ventilation must wear a face mask – there are no other restrictions for boarding. Gondolas without a natural ventilation system may run on a 50% capacity, on the condition that passengers wear a surgical mask. If the gondola is used by members of the same family only, then it may be filled to capacity.

A surgical mask must be worn in areas where there are clusters of people in the resort’s ski schools.

Travelers’s advice

The risk for travelers is considered high. It is recommended that travelers avoid nonessential travel to areas with local transmission of COVID-19. There is no vaccine against this novel corona virus.

If you are travelling to areas with local transmission of COVID-19, you should:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or a disinfectant, especially after coughing or sneezing, before handling and consuming food.
• Avoid any contact with patients who are ill with respiratory symptoms.
• Avoid contact with animals (dead or alive), meat markets and meat products (such as raw meat).
• Avoid visiting live bird and animal markets.
• During your stay in areas with local transmission of COVID-19 you should:
• Postpone your trip if you have fever and/or respiratory symptoms, such as cough or you have difficulty to breathe.
• Cover your mouth and your nose with a tissue or with your elbow (not with your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid any contact with other persons if you have fever and/or respiratory symptoms such as cough or you have difficulty to breathe.

After your return from areas with local transmission of COVID-19:

• Watch your health constantly for 14 days.
• In case you have fever and/or respiratory symptoms, such as respiratory failure or cough 14 days after your return, it is recommended to stay at home and seek immediately medical care, mentioning your recent trip or communicate with the National Public Health Organisation in Greece (1135, 210-5212054).

For further information by the National Public Health Organisation click here.

See also the advice to incoming travellers provided by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, here.