April 25, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Each movement between prefectures will cost the unvaccinated 20 euros – new rules

From Monday 5 July, new rules for travel outside the prefecture begin to apply. Free movement will only be possible for vaccinated citizens. In the absence of vaccination, you will need to pay 20 euros for a rapid test.

According to iEidiseis.gr, the new restrictions proposed by the infectious disease committee have been blocked, but Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias has already announced their implementation at a coronavirus briefing and provided details.

To move from one prefecture to another, you will need a Green Pass, which ensures free movement of fully vaccinated citizens. In the absence of vaccinations or incomplete vaccinations (only the first dose was made), you will have to pay for a rapid test costing 20 euros. It does not sound entirely fair – citizens who want to be vaccinated, who managed to take only the first dose, will have to pay for the test on an equal basis with those who categorically do not want to be vaccinated and thereby endanger others.

It is possible to move between prefectures and with a negative molecular test, for which you also have to pay yourself. The self-test from Monday July 5th is not a confirmation of the absence of infection. The government hopes that the new measures will stimulate vaccinations, as it is too expensive to pay for control tests each time.

Nikos Hardalias reminded about the validity of the tests: a negative result of an express test should be obtained in the last 48 hours before the trip, and a PCR test – 72 hours. A certificate of a past illness is valid for 180 days, and a second coronavirus vaccination must be done no later than 14 days before the trip.

Children under the age of 12 can travel freely, and between the ages of 12-17 must have negative self-tests or any other test. After returning, experts recommend, you need to go through a self-test – for adults and children over 12 years old. Only if you are returning from Evia, Salamina or Lefkada, this measure is not needed.

The rules for using land transport will also undergo changes, which the authorities intend to inform about in the coming days. Given the epidemiological situation and the spread of the Delta strain, it seems that the issue of mass vaccination and its acceleration has become especially acute. No matter how the government claims that there is no compulsory vaccination, refusing it creates certain difficulties and will contribute to the introduction of some restrictions for the unvaccinated.

From July 1 covid passport, or “European digital certificate Covid-19”, which allows you to travel to the countries of the European Union, received an official status, and 200 million Europeans have already become its owners. The main purpose of such a certificate is to prove the absence of coronavirus in its owner and to ensure the safety of movement within the EU. As reported by the European Commission, by the evening of last Wednesday, 26 countries, with the exception of Ireland, were connected to the system.

Over the next 12 months, a covid passport will be required for the movement of citizens in all EU countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, in the coming days – in Switzerland.

The certificate provides information about the owner (name, date of birth), health status in relation to Covid: vaccination (type of vaccine and date of last dose), or negative molecular test (date and type of study), or antibodies after illness (duration of immunity).

The document can be in printed or digital form in two languages ​​(issuing country and English). The Green Pass has a QR code that can be verified by airlines, shipping and railway companies.

The provisions of the covid passport have been agreed upon by all EU member states, allowing the free movement of fully vaccinated citizens. The holder of the document will be able to travel within the EU without restrictions – testing or quarantine. However, the coronavirus is unpredictable, therefore, if the epidemiological situation worsens, restrictions may be introduced that will be “necessary and proportionate.” They must be substantiated and brought to the attention of other member countries and the Commission no later than 48 hours before the introduction.

The issuance of the certificate in Greece is done through gov.gr. Detailed and step-by-step instructions are presented here… You will need your personal Taxisnet passwords and AMKA number. You can also sign up for a digital rendezvous at myKEPlive to be assisted by a Citizen Service Center (KEP) employee via video conferencing.

Initially, it was assumed that a covid passport would save the passenger from the need for additional testing or being in quarantine upon arrival in another state. But the member states reserve the right to introduce new restrictions in the event that the epidemiological situation in the tourist’s place of residence worsens.





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