Greece Launches Covid Free Badges at Restaurants, Bars

by GTP editing team 16 July 2021

written by GTP editing team 16 July 2021 15 comments

Entertainment and recreational venues in Greece, including restaurants and bars, will starting today be required to display one of three Covid Free badges making it easier for customers to recognize establishments implementing Covid-19 health protocols and safety practices.

It should be reminded that as of today, both indoor and outdoor spaces can only serve seated customers. Business owners can decide whether their establishments will operate as vaccinated only or mixed spaces.

The three new badges indicate:

1) if the establishment is a mixed space:

This badge means that the establishment allows both fully vaccinated or recovered and non-vaccinated customers who provide negative Covid-19 PCR test taken 72 hours in advance or a negative rapid test conducted 48 hours ahead of outing. These establishments will be required to have separate spaces for vaccinated and non-vaccinated customers. Restroom use will require mask.

2) if a venue is Covid free:

This badge means that the establishment will accept only fully vaccinated and recovered clientele. Customers must present a vaccination or recovery certificate at the door. These establishments will be able to operate at 85 percent of their capacity with only-seated customers.

3) if staff are fully vaccinated:

Documentation will be verified by app

Proprietors will be able to check documentation using the government’s new Covid Free GR app which will verify whether a customer to an establishment – café, bar, restaurant – has been vaccinated or recovered, holds a negative rapid test result or a negative PCR test result.

The establishment’s manager will scan the document presented (paper or on smart phone) by the customer and a color-coded system will verify validity.

The color green and a check mark indicates completed Covid-19 vaccination or recovery; yellow indicates a negative test result; and red that the document is false or not correct.

Businesses that fail to abide to rules face one- or two-week license suspensions and fines of up to 10,000 euros.

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GTP editing team

This is the team byline for GTP. The copyrights for these articles are owned by GTP. They may not be redistributed without the permission of the owner.

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15 comments

Mike 25 July 2021 - 23:03

Was just about to book an holiday to Greece but I think I will pass, will spend our unvaccinated money elsewhere.

Think of other people 9 August 2021 - 13:03

Good

Michael 11 April 2022 - 23:41

First night here in Thessoloniki and witnissing medical discrimination at its finest. My wife and I are both double jabbed but decided not to get the third booster shot. I have a cert of recovery since catching covid at the beginning of the year. My wife has a negative PCR test only. Many of the “covid free” restaurants will allow me in but not her. We weren’t even allowed to sit at a table outside. Total nonsense. We managed to find another restaurant that accepts negative PCR certs and the staff were lovely. But it took a while to find, walking up and down streets in the cold. My advice to anyone in our position is not to bother coming to Greece until this ridiculous law is dropped.

Saviour visanich 19 July 2021 - 12:52

Would help if stickers are also in English

R. Ferguson 19 July 2021 - 11:29

Discrimination looks like or 30 year love affair with Greece is over, we travel with two people who are vaccinated we are not and wont be getting a experimental jab. This means we cannot go out for a meal as we would have to sit at different tables, we have cancelled or Holiday will spend our money elsewhere.

j 19 July 2021 - 12:42

Only applies to inside spaces. You can sit outside and eat.

Sara 19 July 2021 - 22:18

Most places outside will not care if you are vaccinated or not. Greeks need the tourism the most now, they will not turn anyone away or be difficult if you are or are not vaccinated

Poor you 9 August 2021 - 13:05

Do your research – not experimental. Also, at your age, it’s more important than ever you get the vaccine

Craig 19 July 2021 - 10:46

Greek immigration don’t check for UK double vaccination. Just PLF and an antigen test

S 18 July 2021 - 00:30

It doesn’t read antigen test result

Ilario 16 July 2021 - 19:51

What about childrenn below 12 ? They cannot be vaccinated, so only option is testing…

Bep Roodnat 16 July 2021 - 18:18

I tried it yesterday, my Dutch QR code worked

Andreas Kakanis-Silk 16 July 2021 - 15:06

The app does not recognise the QR code on the Greek EU Digital Covid-19 certificate. My Greek Government Certificate works fine. How is this app going to be useful in checking tourist Covid-19 credentials?

Alex 17 July 2021 - 11:43

Does it recognises the QR of the Inter-EU member state Green Pass app? However, current rumours are that it does not recognise the QR code of the NHS proof of double vaccination app issued in the UK though, which it seems Greek immigration must be able to read for entry. Not surprising because in both directions the EU Green app and NHS app have not been 100% intergrated yet, I believe (different encryption). However, this could be a problem on the eve of Greece opening back up to many UK tourists for the August-September boom season,if indoor establishments are of the category which wish (or are told to) class themselves as Covid Free. (If) establishments can choose which category of badge they will operate under, naturally they would now be wise to go for the ‘mixed’ one to avoid having to reject income from huge numbers of potential UK customers now that the UK has dropped quarantine for double vaccinated Brits on return from Greece. The same potential issue with the app would apply to any tourists in Greece with similar third country status and not able to use the Inter-EU app.

F Smith 19 July 2021 - 15:28

My Greek EU digital certificate QR code was recognized by the Port Police on Syros and in a small restaurant on Tinos. Given all the protracted hassle to obtain AMKA numbers, vaccine appointments, and the certificate, I was pleasantly surprised! Wow—-it actually works!

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