The Greek Ministries of Health and Tourism have announced a new set of COVID-19 health protocols for hotels and other tourism businesses.

The new rules have taken effect immediately, and are scheduled to remain in place until 31 May 2023.

Key points of the new protocols - Tourism companies must create:

• An "action plan" (?)
• A COVID-19 incident management plan, including notification of the health ministry and the National Public Health Organization of every positive case of COVID-19
• An ongoing log of staff and guests

Specifically for hotels and other accommodation facilities:

• Establishments with more than 50 rooms must develop individual protocols for each section of the facility.
• All facilities operating in 2022 must update action plan and COVID-19 management coordinator training by 1 June, staff training by 15 June.
• Staff must be trained on health protocols including:
  • Modes of virus transmission
  • Communication procedures
  • COVID-19 incident procedures
  • Cleaning and disinfection prectices
• All hotels and hospitality facilities must have an operational framework and a COVID-19 case management plan, displayed publicly
• Reception area employees must not belong to "vulnerable groups" (?)
• Must present COVID-19 policy and measures to customers on request.
• Must display information on COVID-19 precautionary measures in English, French and German on signage or in apps.
• Must have full medical kits on hand.
• Staff must be able to identify signs of illness.
• Ensure sanitizing of public areas and distancing during check-in and checkout.
• Extend check-out and check-in durations between guests (check-out until 11 AM, new check-in from 3 PM).
• No non-guests in rooms
• Staff must wear masks in bars, restaurants, eating areas and guests must present proof of vaccination or negative test upon entry.
• Pools and spas must be sanitized and cleaned regularly, no more than 1 person allowed per 2.5 sqm.
• Pool chairs and umbrellas must be 1.5m apart and disinfected after each use.
• Masking and distancing rules for conference and exhibition centers also apply to spaces used for meetings and events.
• Must display Health First certification seal.
• All guests must provide vaccination certificate or negative test result at check-in.
• All accommodation facilities have the option to offer COVID-19 testing to guests at check-out.