The Greek government has announced new measures to address the rapid spread of the Delta mutation and decided to make self-tests mandatory for those returning from the Greek islands to mainland or travel by boat even per sea taxi.
According to a decision issued by the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy late on Friday, July 16, 2021, and with immediate passengers returning from the islands must have a certificate of vaccination or recovery from illness or a negative Covid-test. The self test is also acceptable if it has been performed 24 hours before the trip.
The boarding of passengers on ships and ferries as well as on sea taxis and boats from the islands to the ports of Greek mainland is allowed if the passengers meet the following conditions:
Have completed at least fourteen (14) days of COVID-19 vaccination and demonstrate a vaccination certificate, or
They have been diagnosed negative either with a molecular PCR test within the last seventy-two (72) hours before the scheduled travel time or with a Rapid test within the last forty eight (48) hours before the scheduled travel time. Negative tests is proven by the presentation of a relevant certificate, or
They show a disease certificate issued thirty (30) days after the first positive test and its validity lasts up to one hundred and eighty (180) days after it, or
Alternatively, they provide a certificate of negative self-test that has been performed up to twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled travel time.
To avoid delays, passengers are kindly requested to arrive at the ports for boarding at least one and a half hours before the scheduled departure time, the Ministerial decision stressed.
Meanwhile, the Greek Civil Aviation Authority extended the Covid-documents requirements for domestic flights to the islands until Monday, 26. July 2021, at 6 a.m.
For returns from the islands, the CAA recommends a self-test for all over the age of 12.
Prices
Vaccination – Covid-Pass: free of charge
PCR: 60 euros
Rapid Test: 20 euros or free of charge at mobile units of EODY
Self-test: 6-7 euros (pharmacy)
PS
Do small islands have adequate numbers of self-tests for those returning next Sunday? What will happen if the self-test for returners is positive? They will stay in quarantine hotels on the islands? Send for PCR or Rapid test when the majority of the islands has no such facilities? Take them on board and let them in a boat in the middle of nowhere? Turn them into Covid-lighthouses? *sigh*