All the Covid-19 Measures for a ‘Safe’ Greek Easter

Greeks’ hopes to celebrate Orthodox Easter in the countryside on May 2 after months of Covid-19 lockdown were dashed on Wednesday after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ruled out domestic travel.

Greeks will celebrate Easter for a second time at home this year. 

In an address to the nation, Mitsotakis acknowledged the citizens’ fatigue adding however that safety was a top priority. The new measures, he said, follow the guidance of epidemiologists and health experts and are aimed at ensuring a better, freer summer. Allies in this direction, the PM said, were vaccinations, self-testing, and warmer weather.

At the same time, he announced crucial dates for the re-opening of key market activities following the Easter holiday and provided the viral load declines in efforts to reignite the economy and address Covid-19 frustration.

Ahead of summer, Mitsotakis appealed to everyone to get vaccinated and yet again called for patience and adherence to measures. 

Restrictions for Greek Easter 

– no travel is allowed between regions

– 10pm-5am curfew for Holy Week starting on Monday, April 26

– 10pm-5am curfew on Easter Sunday (May 2) 

– 11pm-5am curfew from May 3 

Greek Easter at church

– Easter Resurrection (Anastasi) celebrations this year will be held at 9pm instead of the traditional midnight service

– worshippers are advised to visit churches in their neighborhood

– all clergy are required to self-test 

– seating inside churches allows one person per every 20m2 and no more than 100 worshippers at one time 

– all services through to Holy Friday will be held ½ an hour earlier

– there will be no “epitaphios” procession around the neigborhoods as traditionally held on Holy Friday – just the service 

– all worshippers are advised to wear two masks at all times

– only members of two families will be allowed to gather for Easter Sunday dinner and no more than nine people indoors and 12 people outdoors. Family members are advised to self-test.

Back to Life in May

– Restaurants, cafes and bars are scheduled to re-open only outdoors with distancing rules on May 3 with an 11pm-5am curfew. All F&B services employees are required to self-test

– All schools will open on May 10 with self-testing for students and teachers

– Greece opens to all international travelers with proof of vaccination or negative PCR test result conducted 72 hours before arrival on May 15

– Greeks will be allowed to travel domestically on May 15

– A number of cultural activities will begin on May 15.