The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) on Sunday lifted restrictions on flights from Turkey, Albania and North Macedonia that were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.
All passengers from abroad will however need to show they have a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of their arrival. They will also have to quarantine at home or at their place of stay for seven days.
Moreover, HCAA has increased the number of arrivals from Russia allowed entry into Greece to 4,000, from the current 500. Flights are only allowed to land at the airports of Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion in Crete.
Greece extends travel restrictions till April 5
All passengers from abroad must submit a negative Covid-19 test result (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece and may also be requested to take a rapid Covid-19 test upon entry (depending on the data provided on the PLF forms). In the case the passenger tests positive for coronavirus, then he/she must quarantine for a total of 14 days.
United Kingdom: 7-day quarantine and new PCR test to lift it: Especially for incoming passengers from the UK to get out of quarantine, they will have to undergo a new PCR test when the seven days is completed.
Seven days quarantine on all arrivals from abroad: All passengers entering our country from any foreign country, including the Member States of the European Union, are subject to mandatory precautionary restrictions at home or the place of temporary residence declared on the PLF form, for seven (7) days, unless they remain in Greece for a shorter period, in which case the temporary restriction is valid for this period, i.e. until their departure.
Prohibition of entry to Greece of third-country nationals other than the European Union and the Schengen Agreement. Citizens of the following countries are excluded from the aviation directive: UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Russian Federation and Israel.
Mandatory rapid arrival test for all passengers from the UAE and the UK.
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. The air directive is extended until Monday, March 29
PLF form for passengers
Travellers entering Greece must also 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.
It is also mandatory to complete the PLF form for passengers of foreign flights who are permanent residents of Greece and depart from the airports of the country.
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.
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