Christmas is nearly here and we have put together a list of measures and restrictions currently in place in Greece.
New household gathering restrictions
No more than nine people (from two households) should gather in the same house, in order to avoid overcrowding.
Non-essential retail trade/'Click-away'
From Sunday, December 13 until Thursday, January 7, 2021, retailers are allowed to operate only under the 'click-away' method.
Shopping in retail stores is not allowed.
Goods must be collected at the entrance of shops, without customers entering, while payment must be made electronically or through a POS.
Customers waiting to pick up goods must maintain a distance of at least two metres, while only nine people are allowed to queue at a time.
Pick up is not permitted for shops inside malls or from department store "shop in shops".
Travel to pick up goods is only permitted within the boundaries of each region.
Hairdressers
Hairdressers are permitted to open from Monday, December 14, with the option of working an extended timetable from 7am-9pm.
They must operate exclusively by appointment and with strict adherence to health protocols.
Bookstores
Bookstores will reopen throughout the country from Monday, December 14.
Strict measures: a maximum of four customers in stores up to 100 sq.m. or one customer per 15 sq.m. for stores over 100 sq.m.
Night curfew
The nationwide night curfew from 10pm-5am will continue to apply until.
Exceptions: people who need to leave the house for work, health reasons or a short walk with a pet. They will have to send an SMS to 13033, or have a document from their employer.
SMS 13033 for movement
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:
- Visit to a pharmacy or visit to a doctor if necessary
- Visit to a supermarket or stores for essential supplies
- Visit to a bank if e-banking transactions are not possible
- Visit to people needing assistance or escorting children to and from school
- Attending a funeral, as per the conditions provided by the law, or visiting children in case of divorced parents
- 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.
International travel
Those entering Greece from abroad between December 18 and January 7 must observe a mandatory three-day quarantine.
Churches
Churches will be open to the faithful on Christmas Day and Epiphany on January 6, with limits on the number of people allowed inside.
There will be a limit of 9 people allowed in churches and up to 25 people in metropolitan cathedrals.
