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Lockdown in Greece: SMS guide, what is open, travel as of Nov 7

Greece’s Civil Protection specified on Thursday evening the lockdown restrictions imposed across the whole country from 06:00 am Saturday, 7. November, and for three weeks, until 30. November 2020.

The difference to the first lockdown in spring are::

  • the mandatory use of mask in- and outdoors and the operation of kindergartens, elementary and special education schools.

All Greece turns ‘grey” – that is in Lockdown stage – as of November 7, 2020.

Citizens will need to notify authorities when they leave home and thus only for several essential issues.

The restrictions affect, among others, travel and movement, operation of schools, suspension of operation of several sectors like retail stores.

Exceptionally hairdressers and beauty salons are given a two-day extension, that is they can operate on Saturday and Sunday, before they shut down on Monday, Nov 9.

Leave Home per SMS, printed form or handwritten note

SMS are to be sent to <13033>. Normally a confirm sms comes back immediately.

Also printed and handwritten notes must carry the specific Option number as listed below:

For SMS, the scheme is

x [space]  NAME/SURNAME ADDRESS

x is the option number

1. For health reasons (going to a pharmacy, visiting a doctor or going to a hospital or health center, if this is recommended after relevant communication). [SMS – Option 1]

2. For purchase of essential supplies, where delivery not possible. [SMS – Option 2]

3. Going to a public services, if the electronic or telephone service is not possible only for urgent needs, after setting an appointment for which the citizen is informed in writing or electronically and under the additional condition of showing the above information. Go to the bank, to the extent that electronic transaction is not possible. [SMS – Option 3]

4. Provide assistance to people in need. Transfer to/from the place of work of a spouse or first degree relative, if necessary. Transfer of a minor to/from school [SMS – Option 4]

5. Attend a ceremony (eg funeral) under the conditions provided by law or going to divorced parents or separated parents to ensure necessary communication between parents and children, in accordance with the provisions in force. [SMS – Option 5]

6. Physical exercise outdoors or walking with a pet, individually or in pairs of two (2) persons, provided that in the latter case the necessary distance of one and a half (1.5) meters is observed. Transition for feeding stray animals, if the transition takes place within the municipality of residence of the citizen. [SMS – Option 6]

Printed Form as well as forms for students, parents, employees, workers etc are to find in forma.gov.gr

What is open
Essential stores such a supermarkets, food stores (bakeries, butchers etc) pet shops, kiosks (24 hours), fuel stations,dry cleaning, optics and stores for hearing devices.
Retail shops per e-shop sale.
Allowed are all activities of the primary and secondary section.
Health services and veterinarian clinics
Restaurants, cafes and bars are closed but Delivery and Take Away are allowed
Open Farmers’ markets (Laiki)

Not allowed to operate are among others cinemas, theaters, archaeological sites, playgrounds, amusement and theme parks.Here is a list of sectors allowed to operate only per e-shop deliveries; the list includes the official Codes (ΚΑΔ) by the Trade and Commerce Ministry.

Travel
Travel between regional units is forbidden except for these reasons: health, once travel to reach permanent residence, essential work (refers to seasonal workers) and …?
As of Monday, Nov 9, all travelers from abroad will have to show a negative COVID-19 test. It refers to travel via air (Test 48 hours prior to arrival) or land (72 hours.)
Also as of Nov 9, travelers who leave Greece will have to fill up a Passenger Location Form.
Note: Measures for travel from/to abroad will be specify during the live briefing on Friday afternoon, Nov 6, 2020.
Please, check here the updates by the Greek Civil Protection on Friday evening regarding: Covid-19 PCR test for travelers, PLF form for Greeks, 300-euro fine for lockdown violations and links to forms in English.

Civil Protection lockdown announcement on Nov 5 (in Greek)

More on coronavirus in Greece here.

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24 comments

  1. What number do we enter for getting back to our permanent home and what address do we put in – our home or our starting address?

  2. Do you maybe have a copy of the former employers statement in english?

  3. Dear KTG,

    In the last lockdwon, the number to send text messages about why you were leaving your home only worked from Greek mobile numbers. There are still a LOT of tourists in this part of Crete – and none of them have GR mobiles. Do you know if this has changed? (i.e. you can send a text message to the leave your home number with a foreign mobile)? Also: Last time, the forms were also available in English. Do you know if this is coming? (I am printing out forms now for people here – would be nice to be able to give the touries who do not speak or read Greek a translation.) Thanks. Stay safe everyone.

    • hand-written notes then

      • We were supposed to have left Athens on a ferry tonight but it got delayed to tomorrow morning. Which means what was going to be a simple journey is now after lockdown changing it totally as a Brit without a Greek mobile how do I put on a piece of paper that I am travelling to my in-laws place in Crete lol

  4. Am I permitted to drive my wife to a medical appointment in another province?

  5. Can you confirm that incoming passengers to Greece need a negative Test as of Wednesday, November 11 and not as of Monday, November 9?

  6. Are you allowed to travel to the olive grove to work? There doesn’t seem to be an option for this activity. Thank you

  7. So I just realised that I can’t send an SMS from a foreign Sim card. I don’t have a printer. So I just write a note on paper saying the same thing I would have sent per SMS (either ((4)) going to the store, or ((6)) going for a walk) and take that with me? Do I understand this correctly?

    • Yes just write out Ina piece of paper why you are out. Date, Name, reason, address I believe should be noted also.

  8. Hello dear team! According to travel.gov.gr when you travel to Greece you need a covid test of the last 72 hours, regardless whether by boat or plane. Maybe you udpate..?
    Also, could you possibly tell me what kind of excuse I need to provide for going from the airport to home?
    Or what does a family member have to send to be able to pick me up..?

    Thank you and stay safe!

    • 1. we cannot keep updating older posts as rules change often
      2. ask police at airport
      3 no idea. fam member should ask local police