Greece has extended the air, sea and land travel ban for neighboring countries as well as the ban for third-country nationals until February 8, MIA’s Athens correspondent reports.
The Greek government’s decision to enforce “temporary restriction of entering the country for all third-country nationals from any entry point to the country and by any way or any means, including air, maritime, rail and road connections, for preventive reasons for the protection of public health from the further spread of COVID-19 in the Greek territory,” has already been published in Greece’s Official Gazette and comes into effect on Friday.
Moreover, it foresees temporary restrictions imposed on land borders due to “preventive reasons to protect public health from the spread of COVID-19 in Greece, as well as a ban on entry of persons into Greek territory, unless specific requirements are met.”
Tourists and foreign nationals not allowed to travel there, can enter Greece by crossing the Promachonas border with Bulgaria after presenting upon entry a negative PCR test done in the previous 72 hours.
As regards the other border crossings that are open, i.e. Kakavia and Krystallopigi to Albania, Evzoni (Bogorodica) to North Macedonia, Nymphaea to Bulgaria and Kipi to Turkey, entry into Greece is allowed only for certain categories and with a negative PCR test requirement in place.
These border crossings are open from 7 am to 11 pm. The ban does not apply to: Greek nationals, persons holding a residence permit and persons living in Greece, transport of goods, entry of persons for absolutely necessary professional reasons, but also for transit of ambulances that enter Greece from Kosovo via North Macedonia to hospitalize patients, members of the diplomatic, military or administrative staff of EU and EULEX member states in Kosovo.
Seven border crossings have been opened for transport of goods: four with Bulgaria and one with Turkey, North Macedonia and Albania each, which drivers are no longer required to present negative PCR test results.
The decision also imposes “temporary restriction of entering the country for all third-country nationals from any entry point to the country and by any way or any means, including air, maritime, rail and road connections, for preventive reasons for the protection of public health from the further spread of COVID-19 in the Greek territory.”
The decision also imposes “temporary restriction of entering the country for all third-country nationals from any entry point to the country and by any way or any means, including air, maritime, rail and road connections, for preventive reasons for the protection of public health from the further spread of COVID-19 in the Greek territory.”
It does not apply to nationals of the EU and Schengen area, as well as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore.
