Greece Travel Secrets Blog

Nov 27, 2020

Greece Extends Second Lockdown Until December 7

Greece will extend its second nationwide lockdown until 6am on Monday, December 7, in efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) and limit the rising number of intubations and fatalities, Greek government spokesperson Stelios Petsas announced on Thursday.

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Nov 27, 2020

New Archaeological Museum to Open in Ermionida, Greece

The Greek Culture Ministry recently announced plans to open a new archaeological museum in Ermionida, a municipality located in eastern Peloponnese.

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Nov 26, 2020

Greece Among Top 3 Booking Choices for US Travelers

Greece is among the top three international destinations that American travelers are booking, according to a survey on tourism recovery in the post-coronavirus era released by the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA).

The new findings from a survey of USTOA’s Tour Operator Active Members on post-Covid-19 plans for recovery and resumption of business, found that Italy topped the list of destinations of choice, followed by Ireland, and in third spot Greece, Germany, and the UK.

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Nov 26, 2020

Greece’s Air Traffic Controllers Call Off Strike, AEGEAN Reinstates Flights

Unions representing air traffic controllers, electronic security engineers and aeronautical telecommunication officers in Greece announced that they were calling off strike action to take place during November 25-27.

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Nov 25, 2020

General Strike in Greece on Thursday to Affect Transport

A 24-hour strike called by Greece’s main public sector umbrella union ADEDY for Thursday, November 26, will affect public transport in Athens and ferry travel.

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Nov 25, 2020

Greece to Remain in Lockdown, Efforts Made to ‘Save Christmas’

Greece’s government and health authorities expect the country’s second lockdown to continue into December, adding that it was too early to lift containment measures as Covid-19 is still spreading faster than the allowable rate.

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Nov 25, 2020

Qantas to Require Covid-19 Vaccination on All Int’l Flights

Passengers wishing to fly internationally with Qantas will be required to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination, the airline’s CEO Alan Joyce said this week.

The head of Australia’s flag carrier said pre-flight vaccination was now a “necessity” and that the airline was currently examining ways to include the requirement in its terms and conditions.

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Nov 25, 2020

Strike in Greece Causes Changes to AEGEAN, Olympic Air Flights

AEGEAN and Olympic Air have announced flight cancellations and reschedules during November 25-27 due to industrial action announced by Greece’s air traffic control personnel and electronic security engineers.

On Wednesday, a work stoppage will take place from 6am until 12 noon by the Greek Air Traffic Controllers Association (EEEKE) and from 12 noon to 6pm by the Union of Electronic Engineers for Air Traffic Safety (ENIMAEK).

Both unions will go on a 24-hour strike on Thursday.

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Nov 24, 2020

Air Travel in Greece to Face Disruption Nov 25-26 Due to Strike Action

Greece’s air traffic control personnel and electronic engineers have announced work stoppages on Wednesday, November 25 and a 24-hour strike on Thursday, November 26, which are expected to impact air travel in the country.

On Wednesday, a work stoppage will take place from 6am until 12 noon by the Greek Air Traffic Controllers Association (EEEKE) and from 12 noon to 6pm by the Union of Electronic Engineers for Air Traffic Safety (ENIMAEK).

Both unions will go on a 24-hour strike on Thursday.

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Nov 06, 2020

Covid-19: Greece will Not Close Airports During Second Lockdown, Rules will Apply for Travel

Greek borders are not closing as a result of the second lockdown the country will enter on Saturday to halt a second wave of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.

Greece’s airports will remain open to domestic and international travel but restrictions will be in force, according to Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias.

Those traveling to Greece on flights from abroad as of Monday, November 9, will be allowed admission in the country only by presenting a negative Covid-19 test result. The test must be taken at least 48 hours before arrival.

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Nov 06, 2020

Greece to Enter Lockdown to Fight Second Covid-19 Wave

Greece will enter a second national lockdown on November 7 to halt a second wave of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Thursday.

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Nov 06, 2020

Beauty of Lipsi Shown Through New Music Video

A music video showcasing the beauty of Lipsi, was recently released by the island’s municipality aiming to promote the destination’s tourism offerings ahead of the 2021 season.

According to Lipsi Mayor Fotis Maggos, despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 tourism season turned out positive for the island.

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Nov 06, 2020

Rules for Greece’s Second Covid-19 Lockdown Explained

Greeks will have to abide by a number of rules as of November 7 when Greece enters its second national lockdown following a sharp rise in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.

As of Saturday, the whole country of Greece will be in Level 3-grey status and “subject to special restrictions”.

Being in grey status means that for the next three weeks:

– Wearing a mask is mandatory everywhere in public (indoors and outdoors).– A 24-hour restriction on movement must be followed (exceptions per time zone apply).– People are allowed to leave their homes only for specific reasons and must notify authorities by sending an SMS.– Teleworking is mandatory for 50 percent of employees both in the public and private sectors.– A number of businesses, including retail stores, bars, cafes and restaurants will remain closed.

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Nov 05, 2020

Greece Teams Up with Volkswagen for Astypalea Green Project

Greece has joined forces with Volkswagen Group for the materialization of a pioneering pilot project aimed at transforming the Astypalea into the first smart energy and green island in the Mediterranean and ensuring, at the same time, energy autonomy.

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Nov 05, 2020

Covid-19: Health Experts Push for Greece to Enter Second Lockdown

The Greek government’s team of epidemiological experts are calling for a second nationwide lockdown to be imposed on Greece, following the alarming numbers of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in recent weeks.

Speaking to ANT1 TV on Wendesday, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said that the government is taking the health team’s recommendation under consideration and that announcements will be made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday, November 4, at noon.

When asked when the second lockdown would be imposed, Minister Kikilias replied “as soon as possible” and said it would last one month.

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Nov 04, 2020

Covid-19: Athens Municipality Shuts Culture and Sports Venues, Technopolis

In efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Municipality of Athens has suspended the operation of the capital’s sports facilities, creative learning centers, museums and cultural venues.

The municipality’s decision aims to keep Athens’ citizens safe and is in line with the latest measures announced by the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) and the General Secretariat for Civil Protection against Covid-19.

According to the new enhanced measures that went into force today (November 3), Attica, including Athens, has Level B – Red status on the risk-assessment map with restrictions set to last for a month.

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Nov 04, 2020

Covid-19 Movement Restrictions: How to Move Around in Greece

Greek authorities have announced region-specific movement restrictions, which were put in effect on Tuesday, November 3, to combat the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

In accordance to country’s color-coded risk-assessment map, movement in Greece now depends on the Covid-19 risk level of an area. More specifically, areas are designated as “monitoring” (Level 1-yellow), “high alert” (Level 2-red), or “subject to special restrictions” (Level 3-grey).

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Nov 04, 2020

Hotels Open in Athens in 2020 Despite Covid-19 Crisis

Greece’s capital city Athens this summer welcomed nine new hotel properties despite the weak demand in the tourism market due to the coronavirus (Covid-19).

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Nov 04, 2020

Greece Prepares Tourism Plan for Quake-hit Samos

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis announced this week that a campaign was being designed to promote Samos as a tourist destination in the coming year.

Theoharis announced the plan, which will include entering agreements for direct international flights to Samos airport as well as a promotional actions, during talks on Tuesday with Samos & Ikaria Hoteliers Association President Manos Valis.

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Nov 03, 2020

Covid-19: Greece Closes Restaurants, Bars, Cinemas, Museums in High-risk Areas

As a result of a spike in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Greece, the country’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has announced new month-long measures, which include restrictions on nightlife in high-risk areas.

Greece’s Covid-19 risk-assessment map has changed and as of November 3 will be indicated by three color-coded risk levels (A. yellow, B. red and C. grey). Level A includes all of the green and yellow areas on the previous risk-assessment map and Level B includes the areas that are orange and red status. Areas in Level C have entered local lockdowns.

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