Coronavirus: Returning from the islands requires a mandatory self-test

Starting today, passengers will be able to board ships, water taxis, and ferries from the islands to ports on the mainland.

It should be noted that, initially, the self-test upon return was a «strong recommendation,» but it is now mandatory for those who have not been vaccinated.

Passengers must arrive at the ports for boarding at least one and a half hours before the scheduled departure time. To board, they are required to present a vaccination certificate, a PCR test taken within 72 hours, or a rapid test taken within 48 hours, or a certificate of recovery, or alternatively, a negative self-test result obtained within 24 hours.

From the Friday, July 16, according to the Coast Guard, the boarding of passengers onto ships, as well as onto water taxis and small boats, from the islands to the ports of mainland Greece This is permitted provided that passengers meet the following conditions:

• They have completed, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the vaccination for COVID-19 and exhibit vaccination certificate, or
• They have tested negative in a laboratory test for the COVID-19 coronavirus using the PCR which was performed by taking an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab within the last seventy-two (72) hours before the scheduled travel time or during an examination a rapid COVID-19 antigen test within the last forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled travel time. A negative result from the PCR laboratory test and the rapid antigen test must be demonstrated by presenting the relevant certificate, or
• They demonstrate certificate of disease issued thirty (30) days after the first positive test result and valid for one hundred eighty (180) days following that date, or
• Alternatively, they submit Certificate of a Negative Self-Test Result »that has been performed up to twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled departure time.".

At the same time, it notes that «to avoid delays, passengers are asked to arrive at the ports for boarding at least an hour and a half ago »the scheduled departure time.".

Requirements for domestic flights

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority today extended the domestic flight directive, which will remain in effect until Monday, July 26, at 6:00 a.m.

Thus, passengers from the mainland will be able to travel to island destinations only by presenting a vaccination certificate, a negative (PCR/RAPID), or proof of recovery, with the aim of limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

Passengers on domestic flights must meet one of the following requirements:

1) Must have completed their vaccination at least fourteen (14) days prior for COVID-19 and present a vaccination certificate. Foreign nationals arriving from abroad must present a vaccination certificate in Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, or Russian, issued by a public authority in accordance with applicable law. The vaccination certificate must include the person’s full name, the type of vaccine administered, and the number of doses. Alternatively, travelers may carry, in digital or printed form, a European Digital COVID-19 Certificate (EU DIGITAL COVID-19 CERTIFICATE), as well as certificates from third countries, which contain information regarding vaccination, the result of the most recent test (a rapid test taken within the last 48 hours or a PCR test taken within the last 72 hours), or a history of COVID-19 infection.

2) They must have tested negative, either through a laboratory test for the coronavirus using the PCR in recent seventy-two (72) hours before the scheduled departure time, or within forty-eight (48) hours prior to their arrival, with regard to the inspection with a rapid test.
If travelers are foreign nationals arriving from abroad, they may present a negative test result in Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, or Russian.

3) Present a medical certificate issued thirty (30) days after the first positive test result, which remains valid for up to one hundred eighty (180) days after that test.

If these checks have been carried out abroad and are valid at the time passengers board the aircraft, the relevant certificates are accepted under the same conditions under which their entry into Greece was permitted.

The same requirements apply to children 12 years of age and older. Upon returning from the islands, it is recommended that everyone over the age of 12 take a self-test.

Masks are required

In airport arrival and waiting areas, as well as during flights, staff and Passengers are required to wear a face mask. At the same time, passengers are required to comply with the instructions of permanent and temporary airport or airline staff responsible for supervision, crowd management, and passenger assistance, in order to maintain the necessary distances and ensure controlled boarding, deplaning, and waiting to avoid overcrowding.

Document checks are conducted by airline staff and, on a random basis, by law enforcement authorities. Airlines are required to check passengers before boarding to confirm that they are in possession of the necessary documents; in the event of a violation, the airlines are obligated to repatriate the passenger at their own expense and responsibility.