The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens has canceled all New Year’ Eve festivities that were scheduled to take place with a live audience.

Aiming to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Greece, the government has cancelled festive events in open spaces and announced new Covid-19 measures for the holiday season.

The Greek government is expected on Thursday to announce if new measures to contain the spread of the Omicron Covid variant will be taken before or after the holiday season.

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has ruled against mandatory Covid-19 rapid testing for all but urged citizens to take self-tests ahead of holiday gatherings and outings. 

Greece is examining the possibility of requiring vaccinated individuals to provide negative Covid-19 rapid test results to enter closed spaces.

Greece’s Freedom Pass program that offers 18- to 25-year-olds who get vaccinated against Covid-19 a pre-paid card worth 150 euros, has been extended until June 30.

Fears over Omicron have prompted Greek authorities to require of all inbound travelers to present a negative PCR or rapid test result before entering Greece.

Concerned about the fast-spreading Omicron variant and the spike in cases and deaths, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he may need to order new measures ahead of Christmas.

Greek health authorities have announced a revised set of rules for the operation of ski resorts and Christmas theme parks in efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Unvaccinated individuals in Greece who have recovered from Covid-19 must have a recovery certificate issued in the last 90 days in order to enter indoor spaces.

Greece has shortened the validity period of the Covid-19 recovery certificate from the initial six months to three months.

The Greek Health Ministry announced rules for the operation of Christmas theme parks, after confirming the country’s first case of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.