COVID-19

On March 11th 2020 the World Health Organisation announced that the world was facing a pandemic, since there had been 118.000 cases of SARS-CoV-2 in 114 countries. This page was created to keep all of HelMSIC’s incomings informed and up to date with the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in Greece. We commit to keeping this page updated and sharing valid information.  

The COVID-19 outbreak in Greece

In Greece the virus first appeared on the 26th of February. Protective measures were taken relatively early, on the 23rd of March, when the country went into lockdown. This allowed the country to gradually go back to a relative normality from the 4th of May. However, the cases skyrocketed in autumn, initiating the second epidemiological wave, which led to many cities getting into lockdown one after the other. On the 7th of November 2020 a second national lockdown was put into action and on the 12th of November the number of cases reached a peak of 3.316. The vaccination against the virus started on the 4th of January 2020, with its distribution to healthcare professionals and from the 20th of January vaccinations were conducted for the elderly over the age of 80 years old. Gradually, younger and younger people get immunised, by vaccinating specific age groups each time. Currently, people above the age of 18 receive the vaccine.

Current Situation

The total number of cases is currently 398.898 and the total number of losses is 11.995. The daily number of cases is around 1.500.
Generally, the protective measures in the country are very fluid and they fluctuate according to the statistical numbers of each period. Also, we would like to make clear that the governmental measures differ from our Exchange Conditions. At this moment, the protective measures in action have relaxed and the majority of services are open. Shops operate normally, allowing a few people in at the same time and restaurants and bars serve the public only outdoors. Wearing a mask is mandatory in all external areas and in public internal areas. Moreover, moving to another city is now possible. Universities are closed, having online classes and only 6th and 5th year medical students are allowed in clinics.

Measures for travelers

For now, traveling to the country is forbidden except for the European and Sengen countries. Residents of Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, UAE, North Macedonia, USA, Israel, Canada, Belarus, Bahrain, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and the United Kingdom are also allowed to travel to Greece. Permanent residents of other countries are allowed to travel to Greece only for essential reasons.
Travelers need to be found negative with a PCR test prior to their trip or to have completed the COVID-19 vaccination 14 days in prior and they are obliged to fill the Passenger Locator Form here: https://travel.gov.gr the day before their arrival in the country.

Useful resources

For more information you can check out these official websites: https://covid19.gov.gr/ , https://eody.gov.gr/ , https://www.civilprotection.gr/el, https://travel.gov.gr
or call the National Public Health Organisation: 1135