Greece has been in lockdown for six weeks now. While these measures are being relaxed a little just in time for Christmas time, the government is again extending the restrictions on air traffic.

Bookstores and body-hugging service providers, such as hairdressers, were able to open yesterday in compliance with strict hygiene regulations. With other small shops, the country is going its own way: The “Click Away” principle has been in place since the weekend and was developed to avoid a rush. The products are selected and reserved in advance either online or in the traditional way in the shop window. Then the purchase can be picked up at a certain time. So you want to minimize the infection rate.

Despite this relaxation, caution is advised. Because if you want to travel to the holiday country, you have to show a negative corona test, which is no longer than 72 hours old, as usual. Not only that, a rapid corona test must also be carried out on arrival. This does not save you the quarantine, after all, it will be shortened from ten to three days from December 18. It does not matter from which country the newcomers travel to Greece: The three-day mandatory quarantine applies to arrivals from EU countries as well as from third countries. The new regulation is initially valid until January 7th.

The air traffic restrictions in Greece remain in force. It is now forbidden until at least 7 January 2021 to travel by air between the individual administrative regions without a valid reason. Travel to one's main residence, family associations, business trips and flights for health reasons are recognized as reasons. International flights between Greece and Turkey and the Spanish region of Catalonia remain suspended. Travel between Greece and Albania as well as North Macedonia is only possible via Athens Airport, like news.gtp.gr reported.