Elpis snowstorm trapped hundreds of passengers at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport

Elpis Eleftherios Venizelos Airport

Passengers of all ages, families with babies, and even the elderly were forced to spend the night in Eleftherios Venizelos airport on Monday night because of the Elpis snowstorm that has gripped Greece.

The heavy snowfall caused chain problems, due both flights cancellations and the closure of the Attiki Odos, the main motorway connecting the airport with Athens.

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Meanwhile, snowstorm Elpis has forced Greeks in parts of the country to shut down and go into an obligatory holiday following the transportation havoc caused on Monday.

Six areas of Greece including Attica and Crete are now placed on obligatory holiday on Tuesday, following severe problems created by the ‘Elpis’ snowstorm said Climate Change and Civil Protection Minister Christos Stylianidis during an emergency evening briefing.

Regions worst affected and shutting down most of their operations include Attica, Boeotia (Viotia), Evia, the Cycladic and Sporades islands and Crete.

READ MORE: The BEST photos of snow covered Athens.

Due to the Elpis snowstorm that affects Attica, including Athens, and the island of Evia, vaccination centres of these two prefectures stopped operating at 15:00 on Monday and will be closed all day on Tuesday.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Health, people will be able to reschedule and carry out their vaccination immediately, as appointments are available.

READ MORE: SEE the magical images of a snowy Athens.

The Hellenic Parliament also suspended its operation on Monday.

Public-sector staff were sent home at noon on Monday, after the interior ministry issued a circular permitting them to leave early due to the bad weather and heavy snow.

It is reminded that information about traffic jams as well as useful tips for road safety, due to bad weather and severe weather, are available in a special banner on the website of the Greek Police.

READ MORE: Party Island Mykonos, Santorini, Tinos, covered in snow! (VIDEO)

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