Greece extends travel ban and restrictions for some countries

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority issued a new aviation directive (NOTAM) on Wednesday, extending travel ban and restrictions to several European and Balkan countries.

The NOTAM aims to protect passengers and residents of Greece from a rise in new coronavirus cases.

It includes the following:

• Flights between Greece and Turkey remain suspended to August 31 (midnight).
• Flights between Greece and Albania and North Macedonia will continue to operate through the Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' only, until August 31 (23:59).
• All passengers travelling to Greece from Bulgaria, Malta, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates will continue to be obliged until August 31 to provide a negative Covid-19 test result on arrival to Greece; the test cannot be older than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Greece.
• A new NOTAM (in effect August 7 to 31) also requires a negative test result, as above, of passengers from Albania, Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Spain and Sweden.

In addition, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority has extended the ban on entry of non-EU citizens until August 31, except for the following countries' passengers, who will be able to travel to Greece: Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and United Arab Emirates. Proof of residency will be required.

Several exemptions are provided.

All passengers arriving in Greece must fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least a day before arrival, providing information that will include their departure airport, the address where they will be staying and the expected duration of their stay in Greece, among others. The information on the form is a key element of the country’s planning for protection against the pandemic and preventing the spread of the virus.