Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Visitors to Greece arriving from the Czech Republic, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands will need proof they have tested negative for the novel coronavirus to gain entry, the government said on Monday.
Tightening controls after a recent spike in COVID-19 infections, the government said the requirement will go into effect from August 17. The required test cannot be older than 72 hours prior to entry.
Greece recorded 203 new cases of COVID-19 in 24 hours, the single largest daily number of cases since the pandemic began.
The brought the total number of infections in the country to 5,623 since its first infection surfaced in late February.
Restrictions announced on Monday also include:
– As of August 16, a maximum of 750 people will be allowed to enter Greece per day through the Kakavia border with Albania.
– Any event in Greece where the audience is required to stand, including concerts and performances, is suspended throughout Greece.
– All stores that are of health interest to authorities will be shut down from 12:00 midnight to 07:00 am every day, in the following areas specifically:
Regions of Crete, East Macedonia, and Thrace; Regions of Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki peninsula, Larissa, and Corfu (including Paxi islands); the islands of Antiparos, Kos, Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes, Santorini, and Zakynthos; and the cities of Katerini and Volos.
Greece had previously managed to keep its case count low by enforcing a strict and early lockdown.
The country reopened its borders to tourists from the European Union and a handful of other nations on July 1.
Greece has so far recorded 5,623 coronavirus cases and 212 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
