Greece announced on Monday a series of additional measures and restrictions to contain the spread of the coronavirus, after a steady increase of infections in the month of August. The measures mainly affect traveling from certain countries, operations hours in the catering sector in several regional units, as well as cultural and other events such a concerts.
Decisions of the additional measures have been taken following recommendations by the country’s epidemiologists and the latest epidemiological data.
In a televised statement, deputy government spokeswoman Aristotelia Peloni announced first of all that the International Fair of Thessaloniki, scheduled on September 5-13, 2020, has been suspended.
The other measures are:
1. Mandatory negative molecular PCR test for flight passengers from Sweden, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain and the Czech Republic. the measure goes into force on 17. August 2020. The test must have been carried 72 hours prior to arrival in the country.
2. Mandatory negative molecular PCR test for all travelers entering Greece via the Promachonas border crossing with Bulgaria. Here also 72 hours prior to entering. The tests is required also by Greek nationals and foreign nationals with residence permission for Greece. Measure goes into force on 17. August 2020.
3. Travelers entering Greece from border crossing of Kakavia with Albania will be limited to 750 per day. Measure starts on 16. August 2020.
4. Suspension of all events, including performances, concerts, where participants are standing. The measure is valid across the whole country.
5. Based on the epidemiological load, all facilities of catering sector (restaurants, bars etc) will suspend operation from 12 midnight until 7 o’ clock in the morning in the following regions:
- Regions: Crete, East Macedonia, Thrace
- Regional units: Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Larissa, Corfu
- Municipalities of: Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Volos, Katerini, Rhodes, Antiparos, Zakynthos, Kos.
This measure goes into force on 11. August and is valid until 23. August 2020.
The spokesperson said that the last measure may be implemented also in other regions or even horizontally, depending on the development of the epidemiological data.
Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias said on Monday morning that “Unfortunately, the transmission of the virus is increasing dangerously.
He called once again “on the young and those citizens who do not follow the basic measures of personal protection – masks, hygiene rules, safety distances – to consider their responsibilities towards vulnerable groups, the rest of our fellow citizens and the country,” after a broader meeting with the Prime Minister where the measures were decided.
On Sunday, health authorities reported a record of 203 new infections and again an increase in ICU intubations. New infections have climbed to three-digit figures on a daily basis in the last 5 days.
Would Greece be then accessible for Serbs as long as they have this negative 72 hour PCR test? Would Serbs be able to enter Bulgaria this way, on route to Greece? Is there any Serb that has experience with this? Thanks
check with Greek embassy/consulate, please.
Thanks. I did. They just referred me to the Greek government website.
are these restrictions likely to be in place against bars/restraunts after the 23rd of August?