Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Athens, Greece - emergency consular services only

Location: Greece

Event: In keeping with Greek government guidelines on social distancing, only emergency American Citizen Services and emergency visa services will be available at the U.S. Embassy in Athens, and all consular services will be suspended at the Consulate General in Thessaloniki as of March 19.

The CDC advises travelers to avoid nonessential travel to Europe and State Department currently recommends U.S. citizens reconsider travel. See CDC information regarding high-risk traveler categories. See also the Global Level 3 Health Advisory here.

On March 14, the Government of Greece ordered bars, restaurants, and non-essential commerce to close until further notice. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks remain open. U.S. citizens in Greece should be prepared for additional restrictive measures to be put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Public transportation including airlines, trains, and buses continue to operate, but transport links within Greece and to international destinations are increasingly limited.

Travelers should check carrier schedules for the latest updates and work directly with the carrier or travel agent to arrange or reschedule travel.

Per President Trump’s proclamation, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents will be permitted to return to the United States from Greece, other Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Visit the Department of State’s FAQ page for more information. The Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring U.S. passengers that have been in Greece, the Schengen region, the United Kingdom, and Ireland to travel through select airports where the U.S. Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures.  See the  DHS website for further details.

Actions to Take:

Consult the CDC websitefor the most up-to-date information on the disease.
If you have coronavirus symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 1135. Do not go directly to an emergency department, doctor’s office, or clinic.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in Greece.
For information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.govfor the latest information regarding foreign countries’ quarantine requirements and other global impacts.
Have a plan to depart from Greece that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s websiteon the latest travel restrictions affecting travel to the U.S.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.