Filenews 27 June 2021 - by Theano Thiopoulou
After about a year and a half of restrictive measures and with the vaccination programme progressing in all countries, many Cypriots, as they traditionally did in the pre-covid era, will mainly choose Greece and the Greek islands to spend their holidays, if of course the epidemiological situation does not deteriorate seriously in the two countries in the next period. There are also Greeks who live in Cyprus and will visit Greece and, during this time, the question that concerns everyone is "what documents are needed for a trip across borders?".
"F" gathered data - which are currently valid, at least - so that someone knows what it will take to avoid problems or inconvenience and to enjoy their holidays.
In general, if someone has not had a vaccine, they can travel to Greece by carrying out a molecular test (PCR) or even a rapid test BUT on their return, the Cypriot authorities will accept ONLY the molecular test, which can also be done at Cypriot airports.
First step the PLF
Those planning to travel to Greece must complete and submit the "passenger tracking form" (PLF) the day before the flight departs. Families can submit a common e-PLF form. The form can be found at https://travel.gov.gr/#/. The PLF is the corresponding CyprusFlightPass completed by those travelling to Cyprus from any country.
The proof of completion of the PLF electronic form is automatically sent by e-mail to the passenger from the system and is considered a necessary travel document. A valid PLF form, codenamed QR, is considered necessary to enter every gateway in the country.
Conditions for entry
Entry to Greece is permitted under the following conditions:
● Travellers must have completed vaccination for COVID-19 coronavirus at least fourteen (14) days ago and must present a vaccination certificate in the Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian languages issued by a public authority and in accordance with the relevant legislation. Acceptable vaccines are: Pfizer BioNtech, Moderna, Astra Zeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson + Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm, among others. The vaccination certificate shall include the name of the person as indicated on the passport, the type of vaccine carried out, the number of doses and the date on which they were carried out.
● If the first condition does not apply, it requires that a negative molecular test (PCR) result, which has been done up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece and has been done in a certified diagnostic centre, be in Greek, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian and include the passport or identity of the passenger. Greece also accepts diagnosis using a rapid detection of COVID-19 coronavirus antigen (rapid test) within the last seventy-two (72) hours prior to arrival in Greece by a certified laboratory.
● Alternatively, travellers to Greece must carry a certificate of disease or positive diagnosis following laboratory testing using the PCR method or following a check using a rapid detection of COVID-19 coronavirus antigen (rapid test) valid two (2) to nine (9) months from the date indicated in it, issued with thirty (30) days elapsed since the first positive test , by a public authority, in accordance with the relevant legislation. This may be done by certified laboratories and may be indicated in the Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian languages, including the name of the person as indicated on the passport.
The Greek authorities note that travellers to Greece may bring, in digital or printed form, its COVID-19 digital certificate, as of 30.5.2021, or of the corresponding arrangements of other Member States of the European Union, containing information on vaccination or the result of the last test using rapid testing or laboratory testing using the PCR method for COVID-19 coronavirus , or coronavirus COVID-19 disease, as appropriate, in compliance with the time intervals provided for in this paragraph.
- The obligations also apply to minors aged 12 and over.
Checks when you arrive in Greece
Upon arrival in Greece, travellers arriving are subject to:
Sampling of rapid antigen tests at the entrance gates for selected individuals from a targeted sampling system, based on the 'EVA' system. Persons subject to the random check shall remain in an area of the entrance gate until the result of the check is published. Mandatory isolation if positive for SARS-Cov-2, after sampling test. In this case, travellers and their fellow travellers are accommodated in quarantine hotels, where they will undergo further PCR tests to confirm the initial diagnosis. Guests will stay in isolation hotels for a total of 10 days. Accommodation costs in quarantine hotels are covered by the Greek State. Persons who have completed vaccination 14 days ago and are positively diagnosed shall be placed under a temporary restriction of seven days.
Boat trip to Greek island
When the traveller arrives in Athens or Thessaloniki and wants to travel to an island, he must have some documents to board the ship.
From the ports of mainland Greece (Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Kavala, Volos and Thessaloniki) to the islands, the "pre-boarding passenger tracking" form must be completed by passengers and delivered with their ticket, showing the necessary documents (in electronic or printed form), certifying the results of checks and vaccination to the person responsible for the financial service upon boarding, before the departure of the ship, as follows: vaccination certificate or negative result PCR test 72 hours or negative result Rapid Test 24 hours or negative result Self Test 24 hours the result of which should be declared on the pre-boarding form or certificate of disease two months after the disease and up to nine months. The obligation to carry out a PCR Test, Rapid Test or Self Test, if there is no vaccination certificate, applies to passengers over 5 years of age, which should be negative. The use of a protective mask during boarding/disembarkation, as well as during travel, is mandatory.
What data applies to mask, beaches, focus
For holidays in another country, tourists and generally all visitors should be aware of some basics that apply. In Greece, the mandatory use of masks in outdoor areas where there are no overcrowding conditions has been abolished since 24 June. However, there is the maintenance of mandatory use of masks indoors without exceptions. As of 28 June the measure of restriction of night traffic does not apply, ie curfew. It also changes the protocol in focus, with an increase in the attendance ceiling of up to 10 people per table, from 6 people in force. Regarding the operation of organized beaches/beaches, a maximum of 120 people per 1,000 square meters of beach area with controlled entrance is defined.
Travel with EU digital pass from 1 July
The Council of Ministers last Thursday, by decision, amended the Action Plan for the operation of airports to include in the certificates accepted the digital certificate COVID-19, which will be issued by the EU Member States, as well as by the countries of the European Economic Area and by Switzerland. Recovery certificates valid for 180 days will also be accepted from the day the person tested positive, while digital PCR laboratory test certificates will also be accepted. Digital certificates for rapid testing will not be accepted by the Republic of Cyprus.
From 1 July there will be a transitional period of six weeks, during which either the digital certificate or the conventional certificate in force to date will be accepted. After six weeks, the Republic of Cyprus will only accept digital certificates issued by the European Commission. The reason is because these categories are excluded from any restrictions and so there will be the certainty that the certificate that goes up on the Cyprus Flight Pass is authentic. Everyone will be able to travel either with the digital certificate or with any certificate confirming that the holder has a laboratory PCR analysis. As far as Cypriots and permanent residents are concerned, what is currently in force will continue to apply, i.e. they will have the right instead of the digital certificate to do their laboratory tests on arrival in Cyprus.
