The US Embassy in Athens has issued a Security Alert message over the Christmas and holiday season. The message urges its citizens living or visiting Greece to “exercise additional vigilance at holiday festivals and events, places of worship, and locations with large crowds.” The Alert is valid across the country and was publish on November 28, 2019.
Event: During the holiday season, security measures in Greece remain heightened due to ongoing threats posed by transnational terrorist organizations and individuals inspired by violent extremist ideology throughout Europe. Violent extremists continue to focus on locations such as Christmas holiday markets, shopping malls, airports, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, and other soft targets frequented by tourists.
Actions to Take:
- Exercise additional vigilance at holiday festivals and events, places of worship, and locations with large crowds.
- Review your personal security plans.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Monitor local media for updates.
The US Embassy in Athens issues regular Security Alerts and this one is a standard holiday season notice by the State Department for Europe. The travel advice is at Level 1 of “Normal Precaution.”
