Greece has successfully managed the Covid-19 health crisis, and as a result, the Greek government started lifting the restriction measures gradually, since the 4th of May.
Tourism in Greece restarted on June 15 with the reopening of seasonal hotels and the restart of flights from abroad from certain countries to Athens International Airport (ATH), and Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG). As of July 1st flights to all Greek airports and from most countries will start, except for those presenting negative epidemiological features.
To ensure the containment of the Covid-19 spread, new rules and hygiene measures are enforced by the Greek government. Naturally, social distancing remains highly recommended in all situations, and the use of a mask in some cases is mandatory.
We created a comprehensive list of the new Covid-19 measures in Greece which you might find useful to know before traveling to Crete.
Please read below, and take your precautions to enjoy worry-free and safe vacations this summer at Fodele!
Fodele Beach
At Fodele Beach, we are fully committed to receiving our clients with the utmost safety, as well as ensuring the well-being of our team members, suppliers and partners. For this reason, we have created a Health and Safety plan which includes a comprehensive number of prevention and hygiene measures, according to the guidelines and recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Greek Ministries of Health and Tourism and local authorities.
This summer enjoy a carefree, safe stay at Fodele Beach, without compromise on luxury and leisure.
Organized beaches
At organized beaches a maximum of 40 people per 1.000 sq.m. is allowed. The distance between umbrellas should be at a minimum of 4 m., whereas the sunbeds under neighbouring umbrellas should be at 1.5 m. distance from each other. For each umbrella, two sunbeds are allowed (except for families with children).
All sunloungers must be disinfected by the beach staff after every use, but it’s also obligatory for users to place a towel on their sun lounger – and that’s their responsibility. Also, it is mandatory for the beach staff to regularly disinfect the sanitary facilities (WC, locker rooms, showers) and post the cleaning and disinfection schedule daily.
Overcrowding at the beach bar should be avoided. Food delivered at your sunbed should be packaged. Finally, whereas individual exercise is allowed, team sports are forbidden.
Museums & Archaeological sites
Museums reopened to the public on June 15. They allow a limited number of visitors per hour and the use of a mask and antiseptic hand sanitizer is highly recommended. Visitors are requested to keep a distance of 2 meters from each other.
The same rules apply to archaeological sites that reopened to the public on May 18. A limited number of visitors are allowed and distances (1,5 m. from other people) should be kept.
Restaurants & Café-bars
Seating at restaurants, cafes, and bars is allowed both in indoor and outdoor spaces. The distance between the tables should be at the minimum 70 cm (when there are no seated people in the space between the two tables) and 170 cm (when there are chairs with seated people in the space between the tables). The required distances are different for indoor spaces and they range from 90 cm to 180 cm. No more than six people are allowed per table (there is an exception for families with children).
Restaurant staff is obliged to wear masks and gloves and hand sanitizer gel must be available at the toilets and the cash register. Customers are encouraged to pay by card.
For buffet restaurants, the use of hand disinfectants is obligatory for customers. Food is served strictly by the restaurant’s staff who should wear a mask and gloves. Also, a sneeze guard is placed to protect food.
Open-air Cinemas
While cinemas remain closed, open-air cinemas reopened June 1st with new safety rules, including a 70% capacity limit to ensure safety distances. The use of masks is optional for the audience, but mandatory for the staff. Snack bars are open during the screenings, and there are no intermissions.
Concerts & Cultural Events
Concerts and live performances take place exclusively at outdoor venues, as of July 1st. To keep distances, open theatres and venues will operate at 40% capacity. The distance between the first row of seats and the stage should be at least 3 meters. When the audience is standing, a distance of 1.5 m. should be kept between the members of the audience.
Stores
Shop with safety! The number of customers allowed in a shop depends on its floor area (square meters of the main area), so keep in mind that you might have to wait in a queue before entering. For example, stores up to 20 sq.m. are allowed to take in up to 4 people at the same time (employees included), stores with the main area between 20 sq.m. and 100 sq.m. can host up to 7 people in total, and stores above 100 sq.m. can have a maximum of 12 people plus 1 person per 15 sq.m. for the additional area above 100 sq.m.
For bigger stores usually, there is an employee at the entrance monitoring the number of people entering the store. Distances of at least 1.5 m. must be maintained and the use of masks by employees and customers is mandatory. It is recommended to customers not to use elevators.
Hairdressers / Beauty Salons
Hairdressers and beauty salons accept customers only by appointment. The use of protective masks is mandatory for the staff and highly recommended to customers. The distance between the working spaces must be 2m. Working hours have been extended from 07.00 to 22.00 on weekdays and 07.00 to 21.00 on Saturdays, but this is optional, so actual working hours may differ.
Car Rentals
If you wish to rent a car to explore Crete you have to keep in mind that certain restrictions apply to the number of passengers per car: For cars with up to five seats, only two passengers are allowed (including the driver). For cars with 6 or 7 seats, the driver plus two passengers are allowed. For cars with 8 or 9 seats, the number rises to three passengers plus the driver. These restrictions do not apply to families with children.
The use of masks, both by the driver and the passengers is mandatory. Between uses of the vehicle by different customers, elaborate cleaning and disinfection are applied.
Tour Buses
Tour buses operate at a 50% capacity. The use of masks by the driver and the passengers is mandatory, and hand sanitizer should be available at the entrance. Also, a plexiglass sneeze shield to separate the driver from the passengers is recommended.
Taxis / Public Transportation
The use of disposable or reusable fabric masks is mandatory on taxis and all means of public transportation. Taxis can carry no more than two passengers plus the drivers, but there is an exception for families with children.
Ferries
Boats and ferries travel at 60% capacity (or 65% for boats with cabins). Only 2 people are allowed per cabin (except for families of up to 4 people), while a number of the aircraft-type seats will remain empty in order to avoid overcrowding. Before embarkation, passengers are required to fill in a questionnaire and also have their temperatures taken. Passengers with symptoms of Covid-19 will not be allowed on board.
Inside the boat the use of a mask is mandatory. Also, passengers should keep 1.5 m. distance from each other and should avoid crowded areas.
Fines
The fine for not using a mask whenever it is mandatory is €150. So please keep in mind to always carry with you some disposable or reusable fabric masks to protect yourself and others!