Coronavirus -What travelers should know

Due  to  the  coronavirus  outbreak,  many  countries,  including  Greece,  have  imposed  travel restrictions or taken other steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Travelers can find useful and important information for trips from the United States and for travels to Greece here.

1. Travel restrictions

A. From abroad to the United States.

The  United  States  has  suspended entry  to  nearly  all  foreign  nationals  who  have  been  in China, Iran,  and  the  Schengen  Area  European  countries  at  any  point  during  the  14  days  prior  to  their scheduled travel to the U.S. These European countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark,   Estonia,   Finland,   France,   Germany,   Greece,   Hungary,   Iceland,   Italy,   Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The ban has also been extended to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

American  citizens  and  all  foreign  nationals  who  are  allowed  to  enter  the  United  States (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/) returning from the aforementioned countries are required to travel through 13 airports:

• Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas

• Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan

• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York

• Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California

• Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida

• NewarkLiberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington

• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia

All citizens returning to the US may be subject to self quarantine.

Greek  citizens  should  get  in  contact  with  the  relevant  airline  companies  as  soon  as  possible  in order to figure out how they can return to Greece. It is important to note that several airports in Europe (hubs) may envisage similar suspension of flights.

B. Steps taken by Greece to restrict travel

As of March 18th, 2020, 6 am Greek time, Greece suspends entry to citizens of non-EU member states until June 15th, 2020, 11 p.m. local time. Only on the grounds of an absolutely necessary condition related exclusively to emergency work or family, non-EU citizens will be allowed to enter Greece.

The temporary restriction includes any entry point to Greece and by any way or any means, including air, maritime, rail and road connections.

This restriction does not apply to nationals of EU member-states and of Schengen Agreement, including their spouses or persons with whom they have entered into civil partnership as well as their minor children.

The restriction of the present decision does not include:

medical and nursing staff, researchers and professionals in the health sector as long as they present at entry points in the country their professional license or other appropriate documentation proving their profession and on condition of their immediate inclusion in the National Health System management
long-term residents in EU or Schengen Agreement member-states and third-country nationals with a residence permit in EU or Schengen Agreement member-states
members of government missions
members of diplomatic or consular authorities and missions, members of international and European organizations, members of humanitarian organizations during the carrying out of their duties, military and security personnel
lorry drivers, which are entering for the transportation of commodities as well as the essential personnel for the transport, and
passengers in transit

Third-country nationals subject to the present restriction have the right to apply to the Greek consular authority of their area of residence for their extraordinary entry to the country for professional or personal reasons.

The connection by air and sea has been temporarily suspended between Greece and Italy as well as air connection between Greece and Spain. Furthermore, sea, air and land connection have been temporarily suspended between Greece and Albania, Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as between Greece and Turkey. Deliveries of goods are allowed to cross these borders.

Greece has also banned cruise ship calls at Greek ports until June 15th, 2020.

C. General travel recommendations

Currently  no  other  travel  restrictions  are  in  place. Travelers  should  look  for  updated information in the country of departure and take into consideration the following instructions provides by national and international agencies:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports

https://eody.gov.gr/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-travellers/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html

D. Travelling is highly risky

Currently  no  other  travel  restrictions  are  in  place. However,  travelers  should  look  for  updated information in the country of departure and take into consideration the following instructions.

Confirmed cases have been reported worldwide, in Asia, the Middle East, Europe as well as in the United  States  of  America,  Canada  and  Australia.  The  risk  for  travelers  is  considered  high.  It  is recommended that travelers avoid nonessential travel to areas with local transmission of COVID-19 - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports

2. What to do when in Greece

• All those entering Greece are subjected to mandatory self-quarantine at home for 14 days.

• If you develop fever and/or respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath or cough 14 days  after  you  have  returned,  it  is  recommended  that  you  stay  indoors  and  immediately seek medical attention mentioning your recent trip, or contact the National Public Health Organization (1135, 210-5212054).

• Foreign nationals should keep the contact details of your home country’s embassy or consulate in Greece in case they need to contact these.

All should comply with the measures and guidelines of the local authorities [https://eody.gov.gr/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-travellers/] and of the WHO [https://www.who.int/]

3.Transits through other countries and returning home

Due to many recent travel restrictions, Greece has advised its citizens against non-essential travels to other countries.

A  number  of  countries  have  imposed  travel  restrictions  in  connection  with  the  outbreak  of  the coronavirus. Some of these may also ban entry or impose quarantine for travelers coming  from Greece. These may change very quickly.

Travelers are therefore advised to contact the embassy or consulate of their transit or destination country  to  receive  information  on  possible  entry  restrictions.  Travelers  should also keep themselves informed about any changes during their stay  abroad.  In many cases also the health ministry or competent authorities provide information for travelers on their websites.

4.Where to find more information

More information is available at the following institutions:

Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.mfa.gr/en/coronavirus-covid-19-useful-information.html

Greek Organization of Public Health https://eody.gov.gr/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-travellers/

Ministry of Health https://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/health/dieythynsh-dhmosias-ygieinhs/metadotika-kai-mh-metadotika-noshmata/c388-egkyklioi/6652-odhgies-prostasias-apo-anapneystikh-loimwksh-apo-to-neo-koronaio

The World Health Organization https://www.who.int/