Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Athens, Greece, November 5, 2020
Location: Greece
Event: Nationwide Lockdown in Greece Beginning November 7, 2020
Beginning at 6:00am on Saturday, November 7, 2020, Greece will reimpose a lockdown through November 30, 2020 to combat the spread of COVID-19. In general, travel outside the home should be avoided, but is permitted in the following cases between the hours of 5:00am and 9:00pm:
- For health reasons;
- To buy essential supplies if delivery is not possible in time;
- Essential banking or urgent appointments for public services (e.g., electricity);
- To help people in need. Transfer to/from workplace of a spouse or first-degree relative. Transfer of a minor to/from school (with a certificate from the school);
- Attending a ceremony (e.g., funeral). Travel involving divorced or separated parents and their children;
- Movements near one’s residence for physical exercise, or care of pets or strays;
Between home and work when telework is not possible.
If you must travel outside the home for one of the first six reasons listed above, you must send an SMS message to the number 13033 prior to going outside. The message should include the number of the reason for the movements (1-6, as above). Movements for work are permitted with a certificate issued by the employer (no SMS needed). A nighttime curfew between 9:00pm and 5:00am restricts movements only to work (with certificate), health (SMS Option 1), and pet care (SMS Option 6).
Primary schools and kindergartens will remain open. Middle schools (gymnasium), high schools (lyceum), and universities will provide distance learning only. Supermarkets, pharmacies, and health facilities will remain open. Restaurants are limited to delivery. Museums, bars, entertainment, and sport facilities will be closed. Gatherings of any size are prohibited. Masks are required everywhere, both indoors and outdoors.
As during the prior lockdown, international flights continue to operate at present to/from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. Public transportation also continues to operate, including ferries, buses, and metro. Non-essential flights to/from the Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki have been suspended through November 17, 2020.
The Embassy’s Consular Section is determining the effect this will have on operations, including routine services to U.S. citizens and visa applicants. Please check our website for the latest information on our services. We will continue to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.
Further restrictive measures, including travel restrictions, may be imposed in any region with higher incidence of COVID-19 with little to no advance notice. Please check the latest Greek government information for the most up-to-date measures.
Actions to Take:
- For full details, visit the COVID-19 page on our website.
- If you develop fever and/or respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath or cough, stay indoors and immediately seek medical attention by contacting the National Public Health Organization by dialing 1135.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
- Read the Department of State’s COVID-19page before any international travel.
- Read the country information page for Greece.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Monitor local media for breaking news and adjust your plans accordingly.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebookand Twitter.
- S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Athens
+30 210-721-2951
AthensAmericanCitizenServices@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki
+30 2310-376-300
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or +1 202-501
