The Australian federal government announced today (27/10)  that it will lift a travel embargo and allow citizens to travel, with Australia's border set to open to skilled workers and international students by year's end.

More than 18 months after Australia closed its international borders, fully vaccinated citizens will no longer have to seek an exemption to leave the country, a joint statement from the health and home affairs ministries said.

Home Affairs minister Karen Andrews said that while Australian citizens were currently being prioritised, more travel restrictions -- including for some non-citizens -- would be eased as vaccination rates increased.

Quarantine arrangements for returning vaccinated residents will depend on where they arrive in Australia.

Rules for Entry to Greece

The Greek authorities have extended the entry ban on non-essential air travel from third countries for another week due to the Coronavirus situation abroad.

The decision has been announced by the Greek Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), according to which the entry ban will remain effective until Friday, October 29, 2021

Exempt from the restrictions remain EU and EEA nationals, their spouses or persons with whom they have entered into a cohabitation agreement, as well as their minor children.

At the same time, third-country residents reaching Greece for essential purposes, as well as the nationals of the following countries, are exempt from the entry ban:

1. Australia
2. Albania
3. Andorra
4. Armenia
5. Azerbaijan
6. Bahrain
7. Belarus
8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
9. Brunei
10. Canada
11. China
12. Chinese Taipei
13. Israel
14. Japan
15. Jordan
16. Kosovo
17. Kuwait
18. Lebanon
19. Moldova
20. Monaco
21. Montenegro
22. New Zealand
23. North Macedonia
24. Qatar
25. Russia
26. San Marino
27. Saudi Arabia
28. Serbia
29. Singapore
30. South Korea
31. Turkey
32. Ukraine
33. The United Arab Emirates
34. The United Kingdom
35. The United States of America
36. Vatican

Greece Entry Requirements for Travellers Exempt From the Entry Ban

In spite of being exempt from the entry ban, the majority of travellers to Greece will need to comply with some requirements, including completing the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) electronically. Travellers should then carry with them the PLF confirmation they receive in their email and show it to the border police upon arrival in Greece.

Travellers should also be able to present one of the following to the border police:

• EU Digital COVID-19 certificate
• Proof of vaccination, with the last dose having been administered at least 14 days before. The certificate should be issued by a public authority and is accepted in any of the following languages: Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian.
• Negative COVID-19 test results of a PCR test (performed within the last 72 hours) or a rapid test (performed within the last 48 hours)
• Certificate of recovery from COVID-19, within the last 180 days, but no later than 30 days before they arrive in Greece

These requirements apply to travellers aged 12 and older.

All travellers will have to undergo rapid COVID-19 testing as soon as they arrive in Greece. In cases when the result is positive, travellers will have to undergo a PCR test as well.

Visitors who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 upon arrival can isolate at their booked hotel, only in the case the hotel is a 4* and 5* and provides the service of quarantine rooms as informed to the Civil Protection authorities. According to legislation, the visitor upon arrival can request from the Civil Protection authorities to contact her/his booked hotel regarding the availability of the service.