Greece Extends Covid-19 Flight Ban for Several Countries in Europe

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) on Wednesday announced that the ban on flights between Greece and six countries has been extended until May 15 to protect public health from the further spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The ban involves flights to and from Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Germany.

Greece is only allowing flights from Germany to Athens International Airport.

The temporary suspension of flights from both countries excludes repatriation flights of Greek citizens, cargo flights, sanitary flights, humanitarian flights, return flights only with its crew (ferry flights), state flights, emergency flights, military flights, Frontex flights, refueling flights and National Health System support flights.

Greece extends border shutdown for non-EU citizens

Moreover, the HCAA said that Greece’s borders will continue to remain temporarily closed to non-EU nationals. The measure was initially to be lifted on April 18.

Exempt from the measure are family members of European citizens, citizens of Schengen countries, health personnel, third-country nationals who have a long-term visa in a European country and a Schengen Diplomatic country, military, humanitarian personnel, aircraft crew and non-EU citizens that have a permit for their trip from the Greek Consulate.

Greece is currently in a national lockdown – through to April 27 – in efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, which has so far infected 2,192 people and left 102 dead.

Speaking during a briefing on Wednesday, Health Ministry representative Sotiris Tsiodras said that 559 or 25.5 percent of the confirmed Covid-19 cases in Greece are considered to be related to trips from abroad.