Shipping Minister Yannis Plakiotakis said on Monday that around 2,500 travelers have been banned from boarding ferries departing to the Greek islands due to a lack of necessary documents introduced as part of coronavirus security measures to board passenger ships.
The minister said nothing about whether travelers were allowed to board ships and return from the islands to the mainland due to lack of documents or a positive test for Covid-19, as stipulated the last decision Ministry of Shipping.
From July 16 unvaccinated travelers returning from the islands to the mainland will have to present a negative molecular PCR, rapid test or self-test in order to board a ferry, ship or even a sea taxi.
Plakiotakis said the Coast Guard has been tasked with verifying public health safety measures in ports since July 13, amid fears that Greek and foreign tourists traveling to and from the islands are causing the surge in coronavirus infections.
He stressed that before the Coast Guard assumed control from the port authorities, the checks were “inadequate” and involved criticism of shipping companies, port authorities and everyone involved. “This is why the Coast Guard took over pre-landing checks,” he told OPEN TV on Monday.
During the outbreaks on the islands, Civil Protection imposed a curfew at night and a ban on music on the island Mykonos… Minister Nikos Hardalias warned last Thursday that the government has taken “one step” before imposing restrictions on the islands of Santorini, Paros, Ios, as well as Rethymno and Heraklion, Crete.
Travelers to the islands must present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, proof of recent recovery from the virus, a negative PCR result taken within 72 hours of departure, or a negative rapid test taken 42 hours before travel.
From July 16, unvaccinated travelers returning to mainland Greece will have to present a negative self-test or rapid test to board the ferry.
Boarding passengers on ships, as well as in sea taxis from the ports of mainland Greece to the islands and between the islands is allowed if the passenger has:
At least fourteen days have passed since vaccination against the COVID-19 coronavirus (you must present a certificate of vaccination), or There is a negative laboratory test for COVID-19 coronavirus, or PCR, carried out by taking a swab from the oral cavity, pharynx or nasopharynx during last 72 hours before the scheduled time of travel, or a rapid test done within the last forty-eight hours before the scheduled time of travel, or There is a past medical certificate issued 30 days after the first positive test for covid, the validity of which is up to one hundred and eighty days …
Minors under 12 years of age (born after 1.7.2009) are exempt from the above obligation, while minors between 12 and 18 years of age (born before 30.6.2009) are required to present (by their parent or guardian) a negative self-test.
Exceptions:
Passengers who travel daily between different regional units for work purposes who can travel by performing a weekly self test. Passengers traveling on ferries between the islands of the same regional division can travel by doing a self test – either weekly, as usual, or within 24 hours prior to the scheduled travel time. Minors between 12 and 17 years of age can travel by performing a weekly self test 24 hours before the scheduled travel time.
Anyway for travel of passengers from the ports of mainland Greece to the islands and back a health declaration form must be completed and posted on the website of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy https://www.ynanp.gr/el and also on the website https://sea.travel.gov.gr/.
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