All the emergency measures to tackle the pandemic in force from today

Starting today, Monday 13 September, the implementation of new emergency measures to protect public health, with a view to tackling the spread of COVID-19.

Unvaccinated public and private sector workers, schoolchildren, students, citizens aged 12 years and over who want to travel to mainland and island destinations by air, train, bus and ferry or visit closed public places of assembly must present a rapid test certificate up to 48 hours before. The cost of €10 for the test is borne by the citizen, as from today, only covid-19 vaccinated and symptomatic citizens will be able to take the test free of charge in public facilities, and an identity check will be carried out.

Unvaccinated private and public sector workers

Diagnostic test once a week, using the method molecular control (PCR) or by using rapid coronavirus antigen detection (rapid test), should be carried out by unvaccinated workers in the private and public sectors. These tests will be carried out exclusively in private diagnostic centres at the expense of the employee.

The test is evidenced by a digital certificate of a negative test from the gov.gr updated every week and compulsorily checked with the application covid free app by the employer.

Unvaccinated teachers and academics, workers in tourism, catering, television, film, theatre, music and dance productions should have two PCR or rapid laboratory tests every week. These will be carried out exclusively at private diagnostic centres at the expense of the employee. It will be evidenced by a digital certificate of negative test from gov.gr and tested compulsorily with the covid free app by the employer or according to the specific conditions that will apply to the educational community.

With a certificate of vaccination or infection, or a certificate of negative laboratory test (PCR) within 72 hours, or rapid test within 48 hours, citizens aged 12 and over will be able to enter courts, mortgage offices, land registries, land registry offices. Minors from 5 to 11 years of age will present a self test declaration (self test) carried out within 24 hours.

Unvaccinated pupils and students

As far as students are concerned, two self-tests per week are compulsory, which are available free of charge from the state and must be registered on the selftesting.gov.gr platform.

For students, two laboratory rapid antigen tests per week are mandatory, which are performed exclusively in private diagnostic centres at a cost of 10 euros per test. It is proved by a digital certificate of a negative test from gov.gr and checked with the covid free app by the university authorities

Unvaccinated travellers to all mainland and island destinations by plane, boat, train and bus

A laboratory rapid test up to 48 hours before travel or PCR within the last 72 hours for adults and minors 12-17 years old. The rapid test is carried out exclusively in private diagnostic centres at the traveller's expense of EUR 10. Self test for minors 4-11 years old, 24 hours before travel. Proof is provided by mandatory presentation of a certificate of negative diagnosis from gov.gr at the check-in of each means of transport and authenticity check with the covid free app by the individual.

Hospitals, clinics, surgeries, diagnostic centres and rehabilitation centres

For staff who have been suspended from duty and during this period have contracted covid-19, the following shall apply:

Laboratory molecular testing (PCR) of the sympathetic worker is done in a public facility. If the first laboratory test was done in a private facility, it shall be confirmed within 24 hours in a public health facility. A previously obtained sample may not be provided and sampling shall be performed within the public facility with more than one person with sampling authority present.

Fully vaccinated and sick patient attendants who have been sick in the last 6 months are subject to rapid testing within 48 hours before entering a public or private health facility.

Uninoculated ones are subjected to molecular testing (PCR) 48 hours before entering the structure.

Operation of public places of assembly

Closed restaurants (cafés, bars, restaurants, taverns, clubs, nightclubs, nightclubs): open only to vaccinated and sick persons (up to 6 months after diagnosis). Verification of vaccination or sickness certificate and identity check at the entrance of the establishment with the covid free app.

Grounds

Operation only for vaccinated and sick people (up to 6 months from diagnosis). Verification of vaccination or disease confirmation and identity check at the entrance of the company with the covid free app.

The coexistence of vaccinated and non-vaccinated people is mainly in art and cultural venues.

Archaeological sites, museums, closed monuments and venues for art and other artistic exhibitions

For enclosed areas, the possibility is given to operate either only for vaccinated or infected persons (pure areas), or excluding them and for persons presenting a negative result of a rapid test (mixed areas), which must have been carried out within 48 hours. Minors between 5 and 11 years of age shall provide a self test declaration which has been carried out within 24 hours. Similar measures apply to open spaces. Verification of proof of vaccination, infection, negative test and identity check at the entrance of the business with the covid free app.

Gyms

Operation for vaccinated, sick people (up to 6 months from diagnosis). Athletes who are unvaccinated are required to have a PCR or rapid test once a week. Verification of confirmation of vaccination, disease, negative test and identity check at the entrance of the business with the covid free app.

All other enclosed workplaces

The employer retains the legal right to know whether the employees in his/her business are vaccinated and is obliged to check the validity of the negative test certificate for unvaccinated employees, depending on the frequency of diagnosis set for the category of activity.

Use of a mask for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons

Mandatory use of masks in all enclosed areas and in all open areas where there is a gathering.

Maximum values of the tests

For the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus detection test using the Real Time PCR molecular test:

a) as a maximum charge for the service (sample analysis, etc.), including the required reagents and consumables, the amount of EUR 40 and b) as a maximum charge for sampling in private diagnostic laboratories and private clinics, the amount of EUR 20.

2) For the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus antigen detection test using the rapid test method, the maximum amount of the sum of the service charge (analysis, etc.), including the required reagents and consumables and sampling in private diagnostic laboratories, private clinics and any other retail outlets is EUR 10.

In case of non-compliance with the maximum prices, the competent control bodies impose an administrative fine of EUR 5,000.

Businesses offering the above services and goods, must post, in a prominent place for the public and on their websites, a price list that will include and clearly indicate the above maximum prices. In case of non-compliance, the competent control bodies shall impose an administrative fine of EUR 1 000.