ADVICE TO TRAVELLERS

Archaeological sites now operate on extended summer hours (08:00-20:00) to avoid large crowds from forming. In order to maintain the minimum 1.5m safety distance between people, the number of visitors allowed in at every archaeological site is limited, as is the number of visitors allowed to enter every hour.

Specific routes have been demarcated, the entrance and exit separated and plexiglass screens installed wherever needed and possible – for example, at the Propylaea on the Acropolis. The use of protective masks and alcohol-based sanitizers on site is strongly advised.

The tourism period in Greece officially began on June 15, with tourists able to fly to Athens and Thessaloniki airports. Direct international flights are now permitted as of July 1 to all other airports around the country, allowing travelers to fly directly to tourist destinations.

International flights are currently allowed from all EU+ countries except Sweden and the UK (flights from the UK will resume on July 15, it remains to be seen if the same will apply to Sweden). Additionally, international flights are open from 14 non EU+ countries. The list of non-EU+ countries from which flights are allowed into Greece is re-examined every two weeks.

As of July 1, the Greek government has implemented a new monitoring system: all travelers arriving to Greece by air, sea, or road are required to fill a Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours prior to their arrival in the country. Passengers must provide detailed information on their point of departure, the duration of previous stays in other countries, and their address(es) while in Greece.

Some visitors arriving to Greece will be selected for using swab tests (which are mandatory for those selected). However all passenger will be allowed to move immediately on to their destinations (i.e. quarantine upon arrival no longer applies).

For more information see: Can I Travel to Greece Again?

At organized beach clubs, a maximum of 40 people will be allowed per 1,000m2; an entrance/exit count will be carried out to make sure this measure is respected. A minimum distance of 4 meters must be maintained between individual umbrellas, each of which will provide shade for two sun loungers at most – this does not apply to families with children. Two sunbeds that are under different umbrellas cannot be placed closer to each other than 1.5m.

Placing a towel on top of sun loungers is mandatory and considered the responsibility of the user. The staff at organized beaches and beach clubs are required to disinfect sun loungers/chairs after every use. Additionally, they must regularly disinfect sanitary facilities and post a schedule of that cleaning for official review.

Team sports (such as beach volleyball) involving close contact are forbidden.

Beach bars and food trucks offering food and drink can serve items in a package (and continue to offer take-away services). Spaced out chairs and tables are allowed in café or bar space with customers seated at least 1.5 meters apart. Alcohol can be sold but cannot be consumed at the bar to prevent overcrowding.

The ban on playing music at organized beaches has been lifted. However, it is recommended for owners of bars and cafes operating in beach areas to avoid holding events that would cause overcrowding.

Until August 31, boats (ferries) will be allowed to travel at 80% capacity – or 85% for boats with cabins on board. Passengers will be required to answer a series of questions and have their temperatures taken before boarding. Passengers who present symptoms or are deemed at risk of infection (e.g. due to exposure to a Covid-19 patient in the 14 previous days) will be refused permission to board the boat.

Passengers inside the boat will have to remain at a 1.5m distance from each other, and the number of aircraft-type seats will be reduced. Two persons maximum will be allowed in each cabin, except for families of up to 4 people, and people with disabilities traveling with companions.

The use of a mask on board vessels is mandatory. Crews have been trained to respond to potential coronavirus cases, and boats will be disinfected after completing each sea route.

Check-in and check-out times have been changed – check-out to 11:00 and check-in to 15:00. The added time between each check-out and check-in is necessary to ensure that each room is thoroughly disinfected between stays, and that the space is adequately ventilated.

You may see a plexiglass screen at the reception desk – their presence is at the discretion of hotel management. Hand sanitizers, on the other hand, are mandatory.

Other measures the hotel must perform include disinfecting all card keys after each stay. Wherever possible, you are encouraged to check in at an outdoor reception station. The use of electronic alternatives to check-in and check-out, such as Mobile Concierge apps, is preferable, as are electronic payments upon check-out. It is likely that any accounts, invoices or receipts will be sent to you via email. Cash will only be accepted under exceptional circumstances.

Both indoor and outdoor seating is now permitted at restaurants across the country (although outdoor dining is still recommended where possible). Servers must wear face masks. The minimum distance allowed between tables ranges from 70cm to 170cm. As of July 7, there is no limit to the number of people sitting at a table.

Information signs will remind people of individual hygiene rules and of safety measures applying to all spaces. Customers will be encouraged to make electronic transactions. Sanitizer gel will be available at cash registers; if the owner deems it necessary, a protective plexiglass screen will be installed, as well as markings on the floor to delimit safe distances for queuing.

At hotel buffets disinfectant will be provided for hands at the dining area’s entrance. Staff must make sure that it is used by customers. All hotels must install sneeze guards (protective food guards that protect buffet line entrées and sides from airborne contaminants). The food at the buffet will be served only by the hotel’s kitchen staff (who will be properly equipped with masks and gloves). The customer should not come in contact with the food or the utensils at the buffet.

It is recommended for food to be placed in individual packets in areas where staff is not serving.

Automatic coffee machines, juicers, etc., should only be used by the staff (who will be properly equipped with masks and gloves).

With regards to hotel bars only packaged individual side dishes are provided with drinks. Room service is encouraged at no extra charge.

As announced by the Greek government on June 29, all hotels must create designated “quarantine rooms” meant to host visitors displaying COVID-19 symptoms who do not require immediate hospital care. The government specifies that:

• establishments comprising up to 10 rooms are required to have 1 quarantine room,
• establishments comprising up to 50 rooms are required to have 2 quarantine rooms
• establishments comprising over 50 rooms are required to dedicate 3% of their rooms to that purpose.

Upon arrival, you’re advised to ask about the establishment’s policy in case of health incidents and about the medical facilities in the general area, including the public and private hospitals, Covid-19 referral hospitals, and pharmacies. Hotels are advised to provide printed brochures with basic health instructions translated into English, French and German, as no such electronic app currently exists.

HOUSEKEEPING AT HOTELS

Housekeeping will be less frequent during stays, and turndown services have been abolished. Towels and sheets will be changed upon customer request only. As you enter your room for the first time, look for the sign that will tell you when and how your room was last cleaned.

Hotel owners have the choice between two cleaning options: they can either clean it in the usual way after a customer leaves and keep it closed for 24 hours until the next one comes, or perform a thorough cleansing and disinfection using a steam cleaner, UV rays or other such equipment on all room and bathroom surfaces.

Hotel owners have been advised to get rid of decorative objects such as throw pillows. Getting rid of reusable items likely to be shared, such as menus and magazines, is recommended as well. Disposable covers will be placed on TV and air conditioner remote controls. Upholstery fabric must be cleaned with a vapor steam cleaner – at temperatures exceeding 70°C.

Museums reopened on June 15. Visitors will have to keep a distance of 2 meters between each other and are encouraged to wear protective masks and make their transactions with a credit card. Museums can only use air conditioning where these are open-circuit (i.e. allow fresh air to enter the building). A limited number of people will be allowed entry every hour.

You may need to wait for a few minutes before entering many shops. Smaller ones up to 20 m2 will be able to host a maximum of 4 people at the same time (including employees). Stores from 20 to 100 m2 can have a maximum of 4 people inside plus one person for every additional 10 m2. Stores 100 m2 and above will be able to welcome a maximum of 12 people, plus one more person for every additional 15 m2. Distances of at least 1.5 meters must be maintained by customers and employees, but as of July 7, the use of masks is no longer mandatory.

Customer transport will be allowed via private transfers only. Vehicles with up to 5 seats can carry no more than one passenger plus the driver. Companions of people with disabilities are exempt from this rule. 6-7 seat cars can carry the driver plus two passengers, while 8-9 seat cars can carry up to 3 passengers. The passenger limit will not apply if the passengers are parents with their children. The driver and passengers must all wear masks.