A mandatory test on arrival for unvaccinated travellers, regardless of nationality, from 13 countries is foreseen by a Civil Aviation Authority Notam. In addition, the CAA announces to the travelling public the new extension, until Friday 27 August 2021 at 06:00 am, of the aviation directive with the conditions of entry into Greek territory for international flights aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.
The new addition to the Notam for international flights which provides for a mandatory test on arrival for travellers, regardless of nationality, who have not been vaccinated concerns the following (13) thirteen countries: Albania, Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, Cuba, China, Egypt, India, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and United Arab Emirates.
The Notam with the conditions of entry of passengers to Greece for flights from abroad valid until 27/8/21 provides for the following:
Prohibitions of nationals from third countries: According to the aviation directive, there is a ban on the entry into the country of nationals of third countries other than EU and Schengen Agreement countries including their spouses or persons with whom they have entered into a civil partnership, as well as their minor children. Passengers travelling for essential reasons and permanent residents of the following 35 countries are excluded: Australia, North Macedonia, Canada, Belarus, Bahrain, Belarus, China, Israel, Israel, New Zealand, Kuwait, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, South Korea, Qatar, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, United Kingdom, United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Japan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Jordan, Moldova, Brunei, Brunei, San Marino, Andorra, Vatican City, Monaco, Turkey and Kosovo.
All travellers to Greece, irrespective of their nationality, fill in the PLF (Passenger Locator Form) online at https://travel.gov.gr any time before the departure of the flight to Greece. The proof of completion of the PLF, which is automatically sent by e-mail to the passenger by the system, is considered a necessary travel document.
Entry into Athens airport in Greece with a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR/RAPID TEST or a certificate of disease or a digital certificate: For travellers to Greece, the requirement for entry into the country is one of the following:
1) Have completed at least fourteen (14) days ago the vaccination for coronavirus COVID-19 and present a vaccination certificate, in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian, issued by a public authority.
2) Have been tested negative to a laboratory test for COVID-19 coronavirus by PCR within the last seventy-two (72) hours, or within forty-eight (48) hours prior to their arrival in Greece as regards rapid test.
3) Alternatively, travelers to Greece must carry a certificate/confirmation of infection issued thirty (30) days after the first positive test and valid until one hundred and eighty (180) days thereafter.
4) In addition, travelers on flights from abroad may also carry, in digital or paper form, a European digital certificate COVID-19 (EU DIGITAL COVID-19 CERTIFICATE ) and third countries, which contains information on vaccination or the result of the last test (48-hour rapid test or 72-hour PCR) or the coronavirus infection.
Checks on children aged 12 years and over: the obligation to fulfil the requirements (vaccine or negative test or certificate of infection or digital certificate) for entry into Greece applies to children aged 12 years and over.
(12 to 12 years of age or less): All international passengers will additionally be subject to a rapid test upon arrival, based on the procedure provided for in the Passenger Locator Form. If the rapid test is positive, a repeat PCR test will be performed immediately. If the tests find a positive passenger, the quarantine will be in effect for 10 days, and if the international passenger is vaccinated and the rapid test on arrival shows that he/she is positive for the disease, he/she will remain in isolation for 7 days. In both cases (10 or 7 days of temporary restriction), in order to lift the quarantine, persons are subject to mandatory laboratory testing by PCR on the last day of their temporary restriction. All international passengers must strictly follow the instructions of the health authorities of our country.
Flight instruction for Russian passengers: All travelers who are permanent residents of Russia bound for Greece must carry a certificate of a negative PCR test (72 hours) or rapid test (48 hours). This measure is mandatory and applies to all passengers who are permanent residents of Russia, whether vaccinated or not. In addition, all travellers/permanent residents from Russia will also be required to undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival in Greece.
Mandatory testing on arrival for travellers, irrespective of nationality, from the following 13 countries (applicable only to unvaccinated passengers). If the rapid test is positive, a repeat PCR test will be carried out immediately. This airline directive will only apply to passengers who have not been vaccinated as there is an exemption for travellers/passengers who have been vaccinated or who have become ill.
The use of a mask is mandatory: In arrivals and waiting areas within airports, as well as during flights, staff and passengers are required to wear a protective mask. Passengers shall be required to comply with the instructions of airport or airline staff and temporary staff responsible for supervising, crowd management and assisting passengers in order to maintain the necessary distances and ensure controlled boarding and disembarkation and waiting in order to avoid overcrowding. Checks on the above documents shall be carried out by airline employees and on a random basis by the police authorities. Airlines are obliged to check the passenger before boarding to confirm that he or she has the necessary documents and, in the event of infringement, are obliged to repatriate the passenger at their own risk and expense.