Government Spokesperson Stelios Petsas, announced a limited easing of Greece’s Covid-19 lockdown restrictions for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Retailers
From Sunday, December 13, until Thursday, January 7, 2021, retailers will be allowed to operate under the “click-away” method, whereby they accept orders made online or via telephone. Customers will be allowed to enter stores only to collect their orders. Shopping in retail stores is not allowed. The “click-away” method only applies to stores which are not located in shopping malls.
Hairdressers and Barbers
Hairdressers and barber shops are allowed to operate (only with scheduled appointments) throughout Greece as of Monday, December 14, from 7am until 9 pm, under strict measures that include mandatory mask wearing.
Bookstores
Bookstores in the country will reopen from Monday, December 14, with a maximum of 4 customers allowed in stores up to 100 sq.m. or 1 customer per 15 sq.m. for stores over 100 sq.m.
Churches
Churches will be open on Christmas Day (December 25) and on the Epiphany holiday (January 6). During this time, only nine people will be allowed in churches at the same time and up to 25 people in the Metropolitan churches in all regions of the country will be allowed.
Night Curfew
Greece will continue to have a night curfew throughout the holiday season. From Sunday, December 13, until January 7, 2021, from 10 pm to 5 am non-essential movement is prohibited. Outside movement will continue to be allowed only for specific reasons and by sending an SMS to the five-digit mobile phone service 13033.
International travel
All travellers entering Greece from countries abroad between Friday, December 18 and Thursday, January 7, 2021, will need to enter a three day quarantine (reduced from the 10-day quarantine rule). Travellers who test positive for Covid-19 at Greece’s land borders will be denied entry.
Domestic Travel
Travelling between Greek prefectures will not be allowed until 6am on January 7, 2021.
Image by CNN Greece/Lefteris Partsalis
