A Collection of Greek Legislation and Regulations Concerning Covid-19 and Tourism
Responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Greek government proceeded with the adoption of a number of measures, aiming to limit the spread of the virus in the country.
The government has also launched rounds of aid measures to address the negative effects the coronavirus has caused on businesses and employees.
Aiming to help our audience stay informed, we are providing a collection of some of the most important measures that have been formally adopted by legislative acts in the Hellenic Parliament. All legislative acts are provided in their original form (Greek language).
It is noted that not all laws are included in this collection as some are amended almost daily.
Measures taken to limit the spread of Covid-19
- Temporary ban on the operation of educational institutions, places of worship (churches), theaters, cinemas, archaeological sites and museums, areas for sports and art events, shops, private companies, public services and organizations, as well as general areas for the gathering of the public – Άρ. 1 ΦΕΚ 42 Α’/25-02-2020 & ΦΕΚ Β’ 855/13-03-2020 & ΦΕΚ Β’ 915/17-03-2020 & ΦΕΚ B’ 1293/10-4-2020 & ΦΕΚ B’ 1299/10-4-2020
- Temporary ban of the operation of organized beaches and ski resorts – ΦΕΚ Β’ 859/14-03-2020 & ΦΕΚ B’ 1299/10-4-2020
- Temporary ban of the operation of seasonal hotels and resorts throughout the country for the period from February 15 or February 23 until April 30 – ΦΕΚ B’ 857/14-03-2020
- Temporary ban of the operation of year-round hotels and resorts throughout the country for the period from February 23 or February 26 until April 30 – ΦΕΚ Β’ 987/22-03-2020 & ΦΕΚ Β’ 930/18-03/2020
- Hotels exempt from previous government decision (ordering the temporary closure of Greece’s year-round hotels) and operating conditions (the prices of rooms and any other facilities or services during the indicated period of operation may not exceed the corresponding prices that were valid during the period from January 15 to January 30). – ΦΕΚ Β’ 1018/24-03-2020 & ΦΕΚ Β’ 1073/27-03-2020 & ΦΕΚ Β’ 1295/10-4-2020
- Requisition of The Stanley Hotel (Athens) to meet the temporary accommodation needs of travelers arriving from foreign countries – ΦΕΚ Β’ 1115/01-04-2020
- Temporary ban on the circulation of all types of ships and boats, as well as the departure and arrival of private pleasure boats and professional tourist vessels in Greek ports – Until April 27 – ΦΕΚ Β’ 932/18-03-2020 & ΦΕΚ Β’944/20-03-2020 & ΦΕΚ Β’ 1209/7-4-2020 & ΦΕΚ Β’ 1302/11-4-2020
- Short-term rentals (AirBnB-style) accommodation does not fall under operating restrictions.
Temporary movement restrictions
Relief measures for businesses and employees
Employee support mechanism
Additional aid for employers and employees
Vouchers
Regulation allowing tourism companies (airlines, ferries, hotels, travel agencies) to reimburse customers with 18-month vouchers for bookings that were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of cash refunds. The value of each voucher must be equal to the amount paid by the customer in advance when making the booking. If the vouchers are not used within 18 months by customers, businesses will be required to refund the initial amount of the bookings in cash. – Αρ. 70-71 ΦΕΚ Α’ 84/13-04-2020
Targeted tax relief measures for affected businesses
State aid
Other useful information
Proposal of the European Commission to respond to COVID-19 pandemic
• https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/el/ip_20_499
OECD proposals for tackling COVID-19
• https://oecd.dam-broadcast.com/pm_7379_119_119695-dj2g5d5oun.pdf
• https://oecd.dam-broadcast.com/pm_7379_119_119698-4f8bfnegoj.pdf
Important resources
• National Public Health Organization tel: 1135
• National Public Health Organization of Greece: https://eody.gov.gr/tag/en
• European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases
ΠΗΓΗ GTP
