Greece Travel Secrets Blog

Aug 12, 2020

Stiff Fines in Greece for Covid-19 Carelessness

Greek authorities have not only tightened measures aimed at restricting the spread of the deadly Covid-19, but are also slapping violators with steep fines for carelessness, Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias said on Tuesday, on the back of yet another increase to 961 coronavirus cases in the last week.

Hardalias said authorities would be carrying out checks to ensure that preventative measures, which include mandatory face mask wearing in all public spaces as well as curfews are being implemented by both individuals and businesses.

Greece announced on Monday additional measures including the closure of bars, clubs, restaurants, mobile catering services, wedding venues, and entertainment events on such popular tourist islands as Corfu, Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Rhodes, Antiparos, Zakynthos and Kos from midnight through to 7am.

Businesses failing to shut down at midnight will face a 10,000-euro fine and closure for 20 days should they violate the law a second time.

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Aug 12, 2020

Negative Covid-19 Test Mandatory for Entry to Greece from Five Countries

All travelers entering Greece from Sweden, Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain and The Netherlands as of August 17 will be obliged to present a negative molecular test result (PCR) for coronavirus (Covid-19) upon arrival to the country.

The test must be performed up to 72 hours before travelers enter Greece.

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Aug 12, 2020

The Greek 4: New Tourism Campaign Puts Spotlight on Four Aegean Islands

The Greek Tourism Ministry and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) on Monday announced the launch of a new campaign aimed to promote four islands of the Northeast Aegean: Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Leros.

Dubbed “Greek 4: For You”, the campaign is funded by the Migration & Asylum Ministry and aims to restore the reputation of the four Aegean islands that have suffered the massive influx of irregular migrants in the last years.

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Aug 12, 2020

Covid-19: Greece Cancels Thessaloniki Fair, Sets Curfew for Bars in Popular Destinations

The Greek government on Monday decided to impose a series of new measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), following an alarming surge in confirmed cases.

Greece on Sunday saw a record of 203 new coronavirus infections (29 cases were “imported” from travelers abroad), raising the total number to 5,623. The death toll in the country stands at 212.

Announced by the government’s alternate spokesperson Aristotelia Pelonias, the new measures include the cancelation of the 85th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), mandatory COVID-19 testing for travelers from certain countries at least 72 hours before they arrive in Greece and the setting of a curfew for the late-night bar scene at some of the country’s destinations.

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Aug 12, 2020

Greece Announces Urban Transport Network Upgrade

More buses, increased frequency, and additional staff are the Greek transport ministry’s top priorities as part of an overhaul in mass transport, Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis announced recently after a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The three “immediate” measures are aimed at easing crowding on board public transport as part of Covid-19 prevention plans as well as upgrading transport services.

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Aug 12, 2020

Covid-19: Greece Announces Changes for Travel Through Land Borders

All travelers entering Greece’s land borders as of August 17 will be obliged to present a negative molecular test result (PCR) for coronavirus (Covid-19) conducted no more than 72 hours prior.

The test must be performed in the country of origin and the result must be in English. The travelers’ name and passport number or ID card must be included on the result.

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Aug 10, 2020

Covid-19: No Standing Customers Allowed in Bars and Clubs in Greece

The Greek government has extended a ban on standing customers in all bars, clubs, live music venues, bar-restaurants and cafe-bars until August 31.

The decision was announced on Friday by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, following a health committee recommendation, to limit the further spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Greece.

Originally in force until August 9, the measure does however allow for the establishments in question to add more tables and seats to accommodate customers.

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Aug 10, 2020

Travelers to Greece from Malta Must Have Negative Covid-19 Test

All travelers entering Greece from an airport of Malta as of Wednesday, August 12, will be obliged to present a negative molecular test result (PCR) for coronavirus (Covid-19) upon arrival, according to a decision of Greek Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias.

The test must be performed up to 72 hours before travelers enter Greece.

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Aug 10, 2020

Covid-19 Restrictions Imposed on Greek Island of Poros

Greek health authorities announced emergency restrictions on Friday for the Saronic island of Poros, some two hours outside Athens, after at least 30 people were found to be positive to the coronavirus (Covid-19).

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Aug 10, 2020

US Urges Citizens to ‘Reconsider’ Travel to Greece Due to Covid-19

The US State Department on Thursday issued a new advisory for Greece urging its citizens to reconsider plans for travel due to increasing cases of Covid-19.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Level 3 travel health notice for Greece after the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased. The health center also recommends against non-essential travel to more than 200 destinations due to the high Covid-19 risk.

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Aug 06, 2020

Covid-19 Testing Soon Available at Thessaloniki Airport

Passengers traveling through Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” will soon have the opportunity to undergo Covid-19 molecular detection (rRT-PCR) testing.

According to an announcement by the airport’s manager Fraport Greece, the Interbalkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki has created a special sample taking unit within the premises of the “Makedonia” airport at the arrivals level.

The service will be available from August 21 to all arriving and/or departing passengers as well as to all other interested parties. The price for passengers is set at 70 euros per test.

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Aug 06, 2020

Covid-19: Greek Banks Not Accepting all Transactions at Counters

The Hellenic Bank Association (HBA) recently announced new measures to safeguard Greek bank workers and customers, in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

According to an announcement by the HBA, a number of transactions are no longer taking place at bank counters and customers are encouraged to use digital channels instead of visiting branches.

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Aug 06, 2020

Greek Hoteliers See Dismal Year Ahead Due to Covid-19

“The summer is over for the Greek hotel industry, we are now entering survival mode”, said Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (POX) President Grigoris Tasios speaking to the Greek media this week.

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Aug 04, 2020

Gulf of Corinth Drive

This beautiful drive along the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth (Korinthiakos Kolpos), goes from Delphi to Missolonghi via Galixidi and Nafpaktos.

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Aug 04, 2020

Covid-19: Masks Now Mandatory Outdoors on Greek Ferries

Greece has gone ahead and tightened measures on board Greek ferries after a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases, the government announced this week.

Starting on Tuesday, passengers will be required by law to wear masks inside and outdoors on ferry boats to the islands through to August 18.

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Aug 04, 2020

Greece to Charge Tourists for Public Health Services

Tourists in Greece wishing to make use of public health services will soon have to pay a token sum, the Greek government said recently in an attempt to collect funds that will boost its heavily burdened medical facilities during the summer months.

According to the Greek government, travelers as well as non-Greek citizens seeking medical services at health centers will be required to pay a token sum of 20 euros after parliament approves an amendment to the relevant bill.

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Aug 04, 2020

Almost 80% of Hotels in Greece are Open for 2020 Tourism Season

The percentage of hotels that are operating at the moment in Greece is just under 80 percent, which is very positive, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis said on Monday.

Speaking on Parapolitika radio station, Minister Theoharis referred to the outcome so far after the opening of Greek Tourism for the summer of 2020, in the post-coronavirus (Covid-19) period.

The minister expressed the assessment that “every week is looking better than the previous one and this is encouraging”.

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Aug 04, 2020

Greek PM: Second Covid-19 Lockdown Not an Option

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday called for all European countries to be on high alert in the coming months, at least until a coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine is found.

“Because we all realize that we can not introduce another full lockdown, a second global lockdown of our economies,” the Greek PM said in his remarks prior to his meeting in Athens with his German counterpart of the Land of North Rhine / Westphalia, Armin Laschet.

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Aug 03, 2020

Patmos in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

Patmos in the Dodecanese islands is famous for the monasteries of St John and the Apocalypse and on this page you can also read about flights and ferries

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Aug 03, 2020

Greece Announces New Rules to Curb Rise in Covid-19 Cases

The Greek government on Friday announced a series of new measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), following a surge in confirmed cases during the week.

“In recent days, there has been a relaxation in terms of compliance with the measures and scenes of congestion and overcrowding have been noticed, which reflect on the increasing trend of cases… That is why it is necessary to take some additional measures,” Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias said during an emergency briefing.

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Aug 03, 2020

Over Half of Hotels on South Aegean Islands Follow Covid-19 Health Protocols

Over half of the hotels on the Greek islands in the South Aegean Region are operating under health protocols, aiming to provide Greece’s guests with safe holidays amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey has found.

According to the data, 64 percent – 6 out 10 – of the hotels operating in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese have received certification from the Greek authorities.

Milos is the island where most hotels – 83 percent – are operating under health protocols against the coronavirus.

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Aug 03, 2020

Greece Decides More Bus, Train Routes to Avoid Overcrowding

The Greek government on Friday announced that it was increasing the service frequency of means of public transport in the country in order to avoid overcrowding in buses and trains and the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The decision came after concerns were raised due to overcrowded buses, trains and metro cars, at the same time when Greece is dealing with an increase in Covid-19 cases.

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Aug 03, 2020

Ferries in Greece are Now Allowed to Carry More Passengers

Following a review of the rules for safe ferry travel in Greece in the post-coronavirus (Covid-19) era, the government decided to allow Greek coastal shipping vessels to transfer more passengers on their routes in the country.

According to a government decision, until August 31, ferries in Greece are now allowed to carry 80 percent (from 60 percent) of their maximum passenger capacity set by legislation. Ships that have cabins are allowed to transport 85 percent (from 65 percent) of their original passenger capacity.

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Aug 02, 2020

'Parthenon of shipwrecks': Greece opens its first underwater museum

A wreck boasting a trove of fifth-century BC amphorae has been opened to divers off the island of Alonissos

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Aug 01, 2020

The Nemean Games

The Nemean Games, like the Olympic Games, take place every four years but, unlike the Olympics, anyone can apply to take part and run in the original stadium.

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Aug 01, 2020

Greece gives novelist Victoria Hislop honorary Greek citizenship

Victoria Hislop, the renowned author of bestsellers including “The Island” and “Those Who Are Loved,” may officially consider herself Greek.

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Aug 01, 2020

PM meets Tom Hanks, now a Greek citizen

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife, Mareva, met Saturday with two famous recent Greek citizens.

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Aug 01, 2020

Clean beaches, proximity give Vs enduring appeal

Voula and Vouliagmeni comprise the southernmost of the capital’s residential suburbs and are regarded by dwellers of the city center more as places to let your hair down on the weekend than as places to live.

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Jul 31, 2020

Covid-19: Passenger Capacity Limit to Remain for Greek Ferries

Despite high demand for ferry travel, Greek coastal shipping vessels will continue traveling with less passengers and not add more capacity to its routes, according to Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis.

According to the minister, the country’s health experts rejected requests for ferries to increase passenger capacity due to demand and instead have decided to keep coronavirus (Covid-19) restriction in place. The current health protocols for ferry travel in Greece are scheduled to be reviewed and possibly revised after August 4.

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Jul 31, 2020

Cruise Activity in Greece Expected to Take Off After August 20

Greek Maritime Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis on Thursday said he sees cruise activity in Greece taking off after August 20. The minister’s statement follows some four months of suspended cruise operations in Greece due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.

Speaking to state broadcaster ET1, the minister said that the government has drawn up national guidance for cruise travel, which are based on health protocols for the passengers and crews of cruise ships.

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