Covid 19 restrictions family travel to greece with kids

Coronavirus Update 2022: Should I travel to beautiful Greece with my family?

    Updated on May 4th, 2022

    Can you give me some travel advice if I have decided to travel to Greece in 2022?

    At Kids Love Greece we understand your concern. We are all parents of young children, and we live in Greece. We believe that Greece is a safe place to travel, however, it’s important to be well-informed and not to panic.

    This is a personal decision that only you and your family can make.

    — The Kids Love Greece team

    The positive news is that the international COVID-19 vaccination has started which makes us all feel more optimistic about the future. Although significant progress is being made, we fully understand that this is still a challenging time for international travel.

    All of us, at Kids Love Greece, want to assure you that we MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY.

    FAQ: COVID-19 STATUS TRAVEL TO GREECE

    What are the latest cases regarding covid-19 in Greece?

    To check the latest and most recent number of covid-19 cases in Greece, click HERE.

    How is the vaccination progress going in Greece?

    Greece has so far administered at least 20,869,655 doses of COVID vaccines so far. More specifically, about 97.4% of the country’s population has been vaccinated.

    The Greek Government has been monitoring the situation closely since the beginning of the pandemic and implemented measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

    Gradual lifting of COVID-19 lockdown measures

    Since May 2022, Greece is NOT under lockdown anymore.

    Also, since June 1st 2022, wearing face masks is not mandatory in outdoor and indoor spaces. But, masks are still mandatory while using public transportation (train, bus, metro) and taxis.

    Greek Tourism for international travelers

    Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, announced that from May 1, travelers won’t be required to hold an EU Digital Covid Certificates (or other Covid vaccination or recovery documents) or negative PCR/Antigen test upon arrival.

    All travelers may be subject to random COVID-19 tests upon arrival.

    For more information please visit the website of Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport of Athens.

    Regarding return to your country, requirements vary by country. Please check your local legislation.

    BEFORE TRAVELING TO GREECE: FAQ

    I am fully vaccinated, do I still need a PCR test to enter Greece?

    According to the Greek Government, a negative PCR test is no longer required for entry into Greece.

    Do my underage children need a negative PCR test to travel to Greece?

    According to the Greek Government, all travelers are not required to take a PCR or Antigen (Rapid) test upon arrival.

    Is PLF form mandatory?

    The CAA – Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority – informs that from 15 March 2022 onwards, visitors are no longer required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). You can explore all the active Protocols for Arrivals in and Departures from Greece, at the electronic address https://travel.gov.gr/.

    However, a simplified PLF form, which is OPTIONAL, remains in operation.

    Note: the PLF can also be found on the Visit Greece app and at travel.gov.gr. It is strongly recommended that all visitors download the Visit Greece app (GDPR compliant) for free, prior to their arrival in Greece.

    Random tests are being made upon arrival at all Greek airports, as well as at all entrance checkpoints, to international passengers traveling to Greece.

    Do we need a PLF as a family or a PLF for each family member?

    According to the Greek Government,  one PLF can be submitted per family, which means you need to fill in the details for each family member. 

    If you miss something and want to edit the form, you have the option to do so. On the page you will see the “Add Family Member” button at the top of the page, just below the bold page heading “Travel Companions – Family”, then below that will appear another set of fields for Family Member 2,3,4…Please review the https://travel.gov.gr/# and complete the PLF on time.

    What vaccines does Greece accept?

    According to the Greek Government, the following vaccines are acceptable: Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca /Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen.

    AFTER YOU ARRIVE IN GREECE

    Certain health protocols are still in effect, including wearing a face mask in public transport, but not in any other outdoor or indoor spaces.

    UPDATE: From June 1st 2022, masks are no longer mandatory in outdoor and indoor areas (excluding public trasportation).

    What if my COVID-19 test is positive at the airport (during random checks)?

    According to the Greek Government, if your test is positive for SARS-Cov-2, isolation is mandatory. 

    In this case, a five (5) day quarantine under supervision is required either at home or at a designated temporary residence assigned by the appropriate authorities. The quarantine period starts the next day of their positive diagnosis. Following the five (5) day period and if the symptoms have receded and the travelers are feverless for 24 hours without the use of antipyretics, they are released from quarantine. If the fever insists, the travelers remain in isolation until the fever has fully receded. The above travelers must wear high protection breathing mask (FFP2 or N95) or a combination of two masks for at least 5 days after their release from isolation.

    What if a family member develops symptoms during their stay in Greece?

    In this case, you need to follow a few simple rules, according to Health Protocol:

    • Isolate yourself in the room and avoid contact with other people.
    • Notify the hotel reception or the doctor on duty.
    • Hotels are required to have special medical equipment on hand in case of an outbreak, such as disposable gloves and masks, antiseptics, wipes, aprons, long-sleeved scrubs (PPE), laser thermometers.
    • The doctor on call will advise you on the next steps to take.

    Where can I find hospitals and diagnostic centers related to COVID -19 in Greece?

    According to the official site of COVID -19 Health System Response Monitor, you should contact the 4-digit number 1135, or the website of the Ministry of Health, or the Hellenic National Public health organization, or download the Visit Greece app.

    What is the cost of the COVID -19 various tests in Greece?

    The cost of the COVID -19 tests varies depending on whether it is a PCR, Rapid Antigen, or Rapid self-test. In any case, the price for a PCR test, according to the General Secretariat of Commerce and Consumer Protection of the Ministry of Development and Investment, starts from 47 euros per person on Thursday, January 6. For a Rapid Antigen Test administered at a pharmacy, the cost starts at 8€ per person. To purchase a rapid self-test and administered it yourself is around 3-5€.

    In some cases, there are diagnostic centers that offer discounts when multiple family members need to get tested ie. Genotypos Science Lab in Athens. Please remember that the results of a PCR test can take up to 24 hours.

    You can contact us to help you find the best center for your COVID -19 test.

    Is there a chat service to answer my questions while I am in Greece?

    According to the official site of COVID -19 Health System Response Monitor, you can contact the 4-digit number 1135 or the Ministry of Health website for further clarifications. You can also contact Hellenic National Public health organization, or download the Visit Greece app. The app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

    Is there anything I need to do before traveling by ferry between the Greek islands (island hopping)?

    As stated on the official website of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy

    Starting May 1, 2022, passengers traveling by ferry to the Greek islands or going island hopping between different islands don’t need any Covid-19 documents such as certification of vaccination or negative PCR/Antigen test.

    Kindly note that the respective health and safety protocols are usually being updated on a regular basis and thus they are subject to modifications.

    The Kids Love Greece team will be sending you updates and we can provide you with a list of doctors, hospitals as well as Covid-19 testing centers. We further advise that you get health insurance and travel insurance

    I am planning to do sailing in Greece. What is the health protocol?

    There are some general protocol rules as far as sailing trips are concerned:

    • Passengers are not required to wear face masks on board.
    • Passengers are only required to wear face masks when embarking and disembarking
    • The crew of the catamaran will be fully vaccinated
    • A rapid test or self-test is recommended 24 hours prior to embarkation

    Try to contact your sailing company for further restrictions and guidelines. You can always read a few sailing tips and other regulations HERE.

    DEPARTING FROM GREECE: FAQ

    Always check with your airline first regarding your return flight. Each country has its own regulations regarding travelers coming from abroad.

    Before leaving Greece, it is customary to present a negative PCR test or a rapid Antigent test (administered at a pharmacy or health center) – up to 24 hours before departure. It is strongly advised that you check with your airline. 

    Always check the regulations of the country of arrival (including transit country regulations, if any).

    For example, as per US government requirements, U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S. by land or sea aren’t required to get tested for COVID-19 or show their vaccination status before entering the U.S.

    Where can I take a PCR test before leaving Greece?

    You can have a PCR test or any COVID -19 test done at your hotel, on request, at a diagnostic center or at Athens International Airport. Note that results for a PCR test can take up to 24 hours. Rapid Antigen test results can take up to 15 minutes (but allow more time for the documentation).

    For further information check here: https://www.aia.gr/traveler/travellers-info/faq-for-covid19 

    If you plan to take the test at the airport, try contacting your airline to see what types of tests are accepted. We strongly recommend that you take the test before you arrive at the airport. Ask your hotel about places where you can take a test. You can also contact our team at any time. We do not recommend that you do any covid 19 test at Athens Airport as the lines are very long.

    Is there anything else I should know before traveling back to my country?

    Check with your airline as well as the country of departure in advance in terms of what is needed in terms of covid-19 tests as well as forms that need to be completed.

    If you are traveling back to the US, see HERE the regulations including the type of covid-19 test required. Always check with your airline.

    Make sure that you are also aware of the regulations of any transit country. 

    Make sure that you carefully review the regulations in terms of the ages of the kids as it might be different than the requirements to enter Greece.  

    Always check your junk/ spam folder a few days before your departure to Greece and arrival in order to make sure that you are not missing any emails from your airline.

    Coronavirus Coverage in Travel Insurance

    With the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), many travelers have questioned whether they have any coverage related to the coronavirus in their international travel medical insurance or travel insurance plans. Regarding travel insurance, coverage depends on factors such as the specific insurance plan’s exclusions and the destination. Most international insurance plans have exclusion for coverage related to epidemics or pandemics based on the destination (host) country if a travel warning for that country has been issued. Coverage is available in some situations. For more information click here.

    Note: “The information above has been compiled with great care. However, Kids Love Greece does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, adequacy or timeliness of the information contained on or linked to our website or the above links. Use of the information, content and services provided is at your own risk and Kids Love Greece assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever.”

    Do you need more information?

    To help you stay healthy and aware of further developments, we suggest visiting these websites:

    If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

    We are here for you and we will support you as much as we can!

    KIDS LOVE GREECE TRAVEL TERMS

    In light of this unprecedented situation, we would like to be flexible and understanding of your travel decisions. This is why, until the coronavirus spread passes, we have decided to implement the following for any existing booking.

    New Flexible Booking and Cancellation Terms for 2022 Bookings

    We are happy to inform you that we have adopted a flexible booking policy aiming at facilitating all families who wish to travel to Greece in 2022.

    At Kids Love Greece, we are committed to offering you any support you may need while planning your family trip to Greece. We are also committed to offering you our unbiased opinion, even if that means, that we will advise you to postpone your trip for a later date.

    For more information and questions, do not hesitate to contact the team of Kids Love Greece.

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