Filenews 22 May 2022
Following the decisions of the Council of Ministers dated 20 April and 10 May 2022, regarding the lifting of the restrictive measures against the COVID-19 disease, the Ministry of Health informs that as of May 15, 2022, the following enter into force:
a) Suspension of the obligation to demonstrate Safe Pass in all areas.
Visits to nursing homes, closed facilities, outpatient clinics of hospitals, medical and diagnostic centers, clinics, rehabilitation centers and accommodation centers are excluded. A 48-hour Rapid test or a 72-hour PCR will be required for people who do not hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate, and no obligation for people who hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate.
b) Visits to patients in public and private hospitals with a maximum of 2 people per day are allowed, upon presentation of a rapid antigen test valid for 24 hours (1 person per visit).
- It is understood that in extremely urgent cases the number of people and visits may be increased, provided that approval is obtained from the hospital management.
c) Safe Pass demonstration by employees of hospitals, clinics, medical centres, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes and closed care and accommodation facilities for vulnerable groups.
- For people who do not hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate, a Rapid test valid for 48 hours or a PCR valid for 72 hours is required .
- For people who hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate, it is recommended to perform a self-testing test once a week.
d) Suspension of the obligation to self-confine persons who are close contact with a confirmed positive case and do not hold a valid vaccination or disease certificate.
- As of May 15, 2022, people in self-isolation as close contacts of a confirmed positive case will be able to be released.
- Certificates of absence from work for public health reasons due to close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 will only be given for dates up to and including May 14, 2022.
e) Suspension of the obligation to wear a protective mask for children under 12 years of age.
- It is clarified that children over 12 years of age attending primary education are not required to wear a protective mask inside a school.
- It is clarified that children under the age of 12 who attend secondary education are required to wear a protective mask inside the school.
- It is emphasized that for all people over 13 years of age, the obligation to use a protective mask concerns only indoors.
f) It is recommended that all citizens regardless of their vaccination history undergo a self-diagnosis test or a Rapid antigen test once a week.
- Citizens who show symptoms against COVID-19 or hold a self-test with a positive indication should contact their Personal Doctor and will be referred for a free PCR test.
- Those citizens who are declared as close contact of a confirmed positive case, will receive a message from the Ministry of Health for the conduct of a free examination on the 3rd and 5th day of the contact, which will be carried out in clinical laboratories contracted with the Ministry of Health. Contracted clinical laboratories: https://bit.ly/3Lc4y0E
- Those citizens who wish to carry out rapid antigen tests should contact clinics and pharmacies, with the cost being borne by them.
- The mobile units of the Ministry of Health for the purpose of epidemiological surveillance of the population will carry out random checks only on weekends and will be accessible to all citizens regardless of their vaccination history.
- It is recalled that as of April 22, 2022, a ceiling has been set on the price of the package of 5 self-testing tests at the price of €6.
g) Increase of capacity in restaurants, nightclubs, music and dance centres, events including weddings and christenings, churches, places of religious worship, conferences, trade fairs, stadiums and casinos.
- For premises up to 500sq.m at 100% of the capacity and premises over 500sq.m at 85% of the capacity.
h) Suspension of the obligation to show Safe Pass to students attending all school levels.
i) Suspension of the test to stay measure for students and teachers in Primary and Secondary Education as well as in kindergartens and national guards.
Guidelines for confirmed cases of COVID-19:
- Greek: https://bit.ly/3PgKDB5
- English: https://bit.ly/37H3V1G
Guidelines for close contacts of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19:
- Greek: https://bit.ly/3PgKDB5
- English: https://bit.ly/3swksfV
