Kefalonia & Ithaca
Masks
Masks must be worn in shops and supermarkets, cafes, banks etc (in any enclosed area), in taxis and on public transport. Children under the age of 4 are exempt. The Greek authorities have introduced an on the spot fine of €300 per person for non-compliance.
Supermarkets/Shopping in general
• It may be necessary to wait outside of some shops and supermarkets for a few minutes as the number of people allowed inside at any given time is limited. Social distancing must be maintained inside of the shops and there should always be 1.5 metres between shoppers and between shoppers and members of staff. Masks must be worn whilst inside.
• Social distancing must be maintained whilst queuing outside with 1.5 to 2 metres between groups.
Beaches – organised with beach clubs
• A minimum distance of 4m must be maintained between individual parasols, each of which will provide shade for two sun loungers at most – this does not apply to families with children. Loungers under different parasols must be placed at least 1.5m apart. Placing a towel on top of sun loungers is mandatory and considered the responsibility of the user even though staff are required to disinfect sun loungers/chairs after every use. Additionally, they must regularly disinfect sanitary facilities and post a schedule of that cleaning for official review.
• Team sports, such as beach volleyball, involving close contact are forbidden.
• Beach bars and food trucks can serve items in a package and continue to offer take-away services. Social distancing must be maintained in the bars and cafes and tables are placed 1.5m apart. Alcohol can be sold but cannot be consumed at the bar to prevent overcrowding, and bars have been discouraged from holding any events that may cause overcrowding.
Water sports
• All equipment is disinfected between customers. Only members of the same family, or individuals able to maintain a 2m distance between them are allowed on any single piece of equipment, such as a canoe or inflatable ride, at any one time.
Dining
Service is provided in outdoor spaces only and all customers must be seated. An exception applies to restaurants, bars, and cafes operating in indoor hotel spaces and serving hotel guests only.
• An arrangement of tables and seats must be made as per the physical distancing & health protection guidelines in place.
• In bars and cafes, two customers may be seated on stools at the counter and a 1.5 m distance must be kept from the next two customers.
• Opening hours are 05:00 to 00.00.
• Customers waiting for a table must wear a face mask.
• Up to six (6) individuals are seated per table.
• Electronic payment is preferred and hand sanitising gel is available. Information signs are in place to remind people of individual hygiene rules and of safety measures applying to all spaces.
Transport
• Ferries are operating at limited capacity, 60 or 65% depending on whether cabins are available. Passengers are required to fill in a health questionnaire and have their temperature taken before travelling. Social distancing is in place and masks must be worn at all times (including on the outdoor deck areas). The fine of €300 per person for non-compliance is also applicable on the ferries. The number of people allowed in each cabin is also limited to 2 individuals or 4 people if they are from the same family.
• The numbers of passengers allowed to travel in hire cars is limited at the moment. Cars with up to five places can take the driver and two passengers and those with 6-7 seats can take the driver plus three passengers, but children are not included in these numbers.
• Taxis with up to 5 seats can carry no more than 3 passengers plus the driver and the front passenger seat has to be empty. However, children under 18 years of age are not included in the number and companions of people with disabilities are exempt from the rule. The driver and passengers must all wear masks.
• All tourist buses are allowed to operate at up to 50% capacity. Passengers must wear masks and hand sanitising gel is available at the entrance. On special open-air tourist buses, at stops passengers will only be allowed to embark after all those getting off have done so.
Entertainment
• Music and entertainment venues and nightclubs remain closed.
• Cinemas are open, with limited capacity.
• Museums are open but with limited capacity. Masks must be worn and social distancing is in place. Electronic payment is encouraged.
Travel between Islands
Travellers by boat to islands (except to Lefkada, Evia and Salamina, but if coming from these areas to islands the below applies) will have to show one of the following documents:
• a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19, provided that a fourteen (14) day period has elapsed since they were fully vaccinated,
• a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19, taken within 72 hrs before they travel, or an antigen (rapid) test taken within 24 hrs., or a self-test also taken up to 24 hrs before boarding (the result must be entered on the platform self-testing.gov.gr)
• a certificate stating that they have recovered from a Covid-19 infection, provided that no sooner than two (2) months and no later than nine (9) months have passed since their recovery.
They will also have to fill in a questionnaire before boarding.
The above guidelines apply to all Greek and foreign travellers aged five (5) and older.
Updated 28/06/2021
