Greece extends travel restrictions until November 30

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority has extended a series of travel restrictions until November 30.

The extension aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is recalled that Greece entered its second nationwide lockdown on Saturday.

It is highlighted that travel is not banned, however restrictions apply.

Updated restrictions:

• Flights between Greece and Catalonia in Spain remain suspended until November 30.
• Flights between Greece and Turkey remain suspended until November 30.
• Flights between Greece and Albania and North Macedonia will continue to operate through the Athens International Airport ‘Eleftherios Venizelos’ only, until November 30.
• All passengers travelling to Greece from Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Malta, Belgium, Spain, Albania and North Macedonia will continue to be obliged to provide a negative Covid-19 test result (not older than 72 hours) on arrival to Greece until November 11. For the period until the end of November, travellers from the mentioned countries above must follow the following rules on international flights to Greece.
• The NOTAM concerning passengers from Israel has been extended until November 30. They are obliged 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.
• All passengers travelling to Greece from Russia will continue to be obliged until November 30 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. Further, flights will only land at the airports of Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion (Crete).

In addition, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority has extended the ban on entry of non-EU citizens until November 30, except for the following countries’ passengers, who will be able to travel to Greece: Singapore, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates. Proof of residency will be required.

Passenger Information – Rules for domestic and international flights during Greece’s lockdown

Domestic flights

From 6am on Monday, November 9, domestic flights and commercial and general/business aviation to all airports in the country will be permitted only for essential travel, including for reasons of health, professional/business trips, family reasons (reunification of families) and a return to the permanent place of residence.

There are exceptions including: Hellenic national healthcare system flights, state flights, sanitary flights, humanitarian flights, emergency flights, military flights, fire-fighting flights, Frontex flights, technical landings where passengers do not disembark, ferry flights and cargo flights.

International flights

From Tuesday, November 10, all passengers of international flights departing from Greek airports must fill in a Passenger Locator Form.

As of 6am on Wednesday, November 11, travellers entering Greece must present a negative COVID-19 test no older than 72 hours, upon arrival. At the same time, passengers also need to 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 Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority stressed that before accepting passengers for boarding, airlines must check:

• the PLF submission confirmation at least the day before the flight, which is a mandatory travel document
• the correspondence with the QR code and the PLF

Airlines that do not comply with this control obligation will be responsible for the repatriation of passengers at the expense of the company.

More Greece Travel News here.

SMS 13033 for movement during lockdown

All individuals residing in Greece will be required to send an SMS text message to 13033 in order to obtain permission to leave their homes during the lockdown.

The SMS to 13033 should be formatted as follows: X (one of the digits 1-6 corresponding to the activities below), name, surname and address.

The six reasons (you must SMS) are:

1. Visit to a pharmacy or visit to a doctor if necessary
2. Visit to a supermarket or stores for essential supplies
3. Visit to a bank if e-banking transactions are not possible
4. Visit to people needing assistance or escorting children to and from school
5. Attending a funeral, as per the conditions provided by the law, or visiting children in case of divorced parents
6. Physical exercise outdoors or up to two persons taking their pet for a walk while always observing a 1.5-metre distance.

Alternatively, individuals unable to send SMSs, can fill out the form by hand. There are two types of documents: Document A, which is filled out once by the person going to work, with name, home address, work address, and shift schedule. This will be provided by employers. Document B is for trips not related to work and must be filled out every time a citizen wishes to leave his or her house, instead of an SMS. It must contain name, home address, destination and reason for circulation.

Anyone leaving the house will have to carry a valid identification card or document with them.