Update – 20/07/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities yesterday, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 4,007. No new fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours, leaving total fatalities from Covid-19 in Greece at 194. The number of patients treated in intensive care units stands at 13, while 124 patients have left the intensive care unit. 

16 of the 24 new coronavirus cases announced by the Greek over the past 24 hours., concerned arriving tourists.

MEASURES/RESTRICTIONS

• Supermarket employees and customers will have to wear face masks as of Saturday (July 18), according to a joint ministerial decision issued on Friday. Those not wearing masks face a fine of 150 euros. Wearing a mask at supermarkets by customers had been recommended, but not enforced, until now.

• Greece may have seen a rise in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases but, according to government officials, a second nationwide lockdown will not be imposed. Speaking on Greek state broadcaster ERT 1 on Saturday, Greek Tourism Minister said that Greece has not lost control of the situation, unlike some of its competitor countries. Greece’s deputy minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management also ruled out the possibility of Greece going under another lockdown. The deputy minister underlined that the government was strengthening checks to ensure that measures are being followed throughout the country and that fines will be imposed to those who do not comply.

• On his part, Health Minister reminded that the key to Greece’s success during the first phase of Covid-19 was the country’s vigilance that included timely measures and the compliance of the citizens. The minister underlined that mainly citizens of a young age are those who are not following the simple rules of precaution, which include wearing face masks, especially indoors and when on public transport; frequent hand washing and using antiseptic; and following social distancing rules.

TRAVEL

• Greece announced it was extending a ban on flights from Sweden and Turkey until July 19 and July 31 respectively, according to a notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued Thursday. The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also said that all flights to and from North Macedonia and Albania will be made only though Athens’ International Airport until July 31, due to a recent rise in coronavirus infections in the two countries.

• Greece also extended a ban in the entrance of non-EU citizens until July 31, however the list excludes 12 countries: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

• Coronavirus tests that were conducted on travellers who arrived in Greece from the United Kingdom two days after direct flights were allowed from the country came back negative, but two passengers from London who transited in EU airports were positive. Health authorities conducted 1,366 tests on July 15 and 1,437 tests on July 17 on passengers who arrived from several UK cities, including Birmingham and Manchester. The two travellers have been isolated and authorities have traced their contacts. Health teams will continue to mass-test UK arrivals and will announce the results in the coming days.

TOURISM

• Greek hotels are gradually reopening  hoping for the best while being prepared for the worst. The latest survey by the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP) on “Covid-19 and Greek Hotels,” found that share of hotels which have already reopened or will reopen by August amounts to 84% of the country’s capacity, while 9% have not yet decided when they will reopen and 6.4% have ruled out going back in business this year. The share of the 12-month hotels that have reopened or are about to by August comes to 90.7% and for seasonal hotels to 80.5%.

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