The condition to complete the Passenger Location Form (PLF) by those visiting Greece will be abolished by mid-March, Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced on Thursday.The country also increase capacity for touristic buses and implements new health protocols for touristic accommodation.
“Following the recommendation by the Experts’ Committee of the Health Ministry, the completion of the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) by visitors from all countries for their entry into Greece is abolished from March 15, 2022,” Kikilias said.
Έπειτα από εισήγηση της Επιτροπής Εμπειρογνωμόνων καταργείται από 15.03 η συμπλήρωση της φόρμας PLF από τους επισκέπτες όλων των χωρών.
Η κατάργηση απλοποιεί τη διαδικασία εισόδου για τους ταξιδιώτες, δίνοντας έμφαση στον έλεγχο πιστοποιητικών εμβολιασμού. https://t.co/gp1BXbywzT— Vassilis Kikilias (@Vkikilias) March 3, 2022
He added that the abolition of the PLF simplifies the entry process for travelers, passing on the emphasis on the control of vaccination certificates.”
The Commission has also recommended the increase of capacity of touristic buses from 85% to 100%, from Saturday 5 March 2022. Protection measures such as natural ventilation and use of mask remain in force.
It is pointed out that in the new special health protocols for the operation of tourist accommodation remains mandatory for accommodation with capacity of over 50 rooms with the cooperation of a doctor or a health structure.
The health protocol against Covid-19 for accommodations provides, among others:
- Disposable gloves to the staff working in the cleaning department and to the employees in the kitchen area.
- Abolishes the use of disposable gloves for tourists during the buffet. The use of disinfectant liquid remains mandatory.
- Abolishes disposable tablecloths.
- Abolishes surface cleaning with a steam device temperature> 70 degrees Celsius. This will be done as disinfection, only after a confirmed Covid-19 case in the room.
The new special health protocol for the operation of tourist accommodation, will be valid from the time of the publication of the relevant joint ministerial decision in the Government Gazette.
Tourism Minister Kikilias stressed that “the adoption of new health protocols for tourism companies, brings Greece ahead of the competition. For another year, we are ready to welcome our guests safely.”
Tourism Ministry announcement in Greek here.
Meanwhile, a health expert has reportedly indicated on Thursday that the vaccination certificates would have no meaning by end of April.
Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Thessaloniki, Dimosthenis Sarigiannis spoke to iatropedia about the possibility to abolish the vaccination certificates even before Easter, April 24, in case daily infections fall below 1,000 and due to society pressure.
Daily infections in Greece are currently at 10,000-15,000 in the average.
Great news. Looks like this year’s trip will to be far less hassle and cheaper than the previous two. Happy to invest money saved into Greek economy, not some rip-off testing lab!
So — when most countries have accepted that the Omicron variant has virtually eradicated the Delta variant and is more or less just a 3-day flu — I fail to understand why Greece is still in panic mode. And now – getting close to tourist season – some restrictions are being lifted. DOES THIS VIRUS GO INTO HIBERNATION BETWEEN MARCH AND OCTOBER THEN? Just asking,