For the fourth time in 24 hours, Greece changed again the travel rules for all passengers arriving from abroad and now allows entrance also with negative Rapid test, next to the PCR test.
Deputy Health Minister Mina Gaga said at the coronavirus live briefing on Thursday evening that next to PCR test of 72 hours also a Rapid Test carried out 24 hours before arrival is allowed.
She argued that the Rapid test is thought as alternative for travelers who will not find open diagnostic centers over the Christmas and festive season.
Gaga added that the rule applies for everyone over 5 years old and that it is a “temporary measure” over the festive season.
The measures goes into force at 6:00 a.m. Sunday, December 19, 2021.
The measure affects all travelers whether vaccinated or not.
Exception is (was?) for travelers from Greece who were abroad for less than 48 hours.
The total confusion was created as Greece changed the rules four times within 24 hours.
Wednesday afternoon, Greece initially announced that only travelers from UK and Denmark would arrived with mandatory negative PCR test. An hour later, the Health Ministry expanded the measure to “all travelers from abroad with a PCR test of 48 hours.”
Thursday noon, the government spokesman spoke of a PCR test of 72 hours, while Gaga said at 6 p.m. that also Rapid tests are allowed.
*Before the Greek gov’t changes again the rules, you better check with airlines and travel agents to be sure what the rules are.
So far, there is not official announcement by the Greek Civil Aviation Authority.
PS My 6-year-old Kitty said she would do better a much planning and claimed that the Rapid test was added after massive bookings cancellations in the last hours, since yesterday, as TV channels reported.
Good analysis in the PS, but also you can test positive on a PCR for months after having had Covid as it detects viral DNA even after it’s inactive. This would create a frustrating travel barrier for those who have recovered but still test positive. Rapid tests tend to only detect active viral load. I think it’s a fair change.
I guess this is what happens when you make it up as you go along, though. Maybe we should cut them some slack. They are just responding in the moment and at least they are flexible (sometimes) when they see the flaws in what they have just proposed. But my God, how the rules keep changing! From having to send a SMS to leave the house, from having to get a SMS invitation to enter a shop, and everything else!
Whats on, the air company like agean says 48 hours and the article says 24 jour and the embassy says 48 hours, absolutely no controll, can anybody tell me whats on.. Travel from another EUcobtry, 48 or 24 hours, pcr 72, and what about domenisyic flight to the islands, 48 hours?
I am flying to Greece on Tuesday with AirBaltic. First thing this morning they sent an email saying I don’t need a test at all.
Half an hour ago they sent the email saying I do need a test. I think there’s going to be a lot of confusion in the next few days.
check our latest post on the issue Friday, Dec 17
Thanks. I had actually already booked my test when you first reported the requirement for a test.
It’s just bit worrying that airlines are sending confusing information. Not everybody reads this site.
true but GR confused all in last 36 hours
A welcomed change to the PCR test.
If you don’t live in some fancy capital with good testing facilities, it is very difficult to reach your destination from the moment of testing in 48 hours. Especially if you travel in the beginning of the week and the laboratories are closed in the week-end.
And to add the anti-gen test on the list is a very reasonable idea. A time limit of 48 hours would be much more realistic here, though.