Passenger traffic from the port of Piraeus to the islands peaked on Friday as residents of the capital began to leave Athens for the long weekend ahead of Pentecost (Aghiou Pnevmatos) on Monday.
The weekend traditionally marks the first trip to the popular resort islands of the Cyclades and the Saronic Gulf before the Greeks begin their longer summer holidays in August.
General secretary of the Attica & Argosaronikos Hoteliers Association Evgenios Vasilikos told the state news agency ANA-MPA that the hotels in the Saronic Islands have high occupancy rates.
Especially for Aegina, the head of the local hoteliers’ association, Stavros Kalamakis, said of the “unprecedented” number of Greek tourist arrivals on weekends, “unlike anything seen in the past,” adding that the hotels are fully booked for the long weekend ahead.
On ferries, the occupancy of the cabins was 85%, and for passengers with ordinary seats – 80%. Passengers are required to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth, and to submit a so-called health declaration form on their itinerary in case health authorities require it while tracking coronavirus cases.
The form is required for all travelers, Greeks and foreigners, regardless of whether they have received a full vaccination or PCR, rapid test or self-test.
The traveler must fill out a form on website of the Ministry of Shipping (in Greek) and print it out.
Health declaration / application form in English
In addition to personal data, including the phone number, the name of the shipping company, the name of the vessel and the seat / cabin number, the passenger must also answer 10 questions about his health, possible contacts with carriers of Covid-19, etc.
The questionnaire is filled out by all passengers over 18 years old, who also indicate information for accompanied minor children. A resident of Greece wishing to travel to the islands must have with him:
vaccination certificate – valid 14 days after the 2nd dose, either a 72-hour PCR test, or a rapid test, or a 24-hour self test, or proof that he was ill and has antibodies, with a term of issue from 2 to 9 months. Also: These rules are mandatory for all domestic and foreign travelers aged 5 and over. Self-check you need register On the platform self-testing.gov.gr (otherwise not valid) PLF is required for all arriving tourists.
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