New Decree from the Ministry of Health that is effective as of December 6th 2021

03122021–ΔΙΑΤΑΓΜΑ ΑΡ. 44 – PDF

Please find attached the new decree of the Ministry of Health with the updated measures that are now active.

We have tried to translate key parts of the decree that relate to life-impact as well as corporate Ways-of-Working in the summary below:

  1. The Regulations of this Decree enter into force on December 6, 2021 at 00.00 am. and expire on December 17, 2021 at 23.59 pm, unless otherwise stated in the Regulations of this Decree.
  2. Access to parks and linear parks, beaches, squares, dams, picnic areas, marinas, zoos and nature trails is allowed.
  3. Mass events, gatherings, demonstrations, parades, concerts, festivals, in public or private places, except for events, for which guidelines are issued by the Ministry of Health are prohibited.
  4. The holding of school festive events as well as events that are held, either indoors or outdoors of shopping centers are suspended.
  5. The total presence of up to 20 persons in a home is allowed, including minor children and including persons permanently residing in it.
  6. 20% of employees in private service companies, excluding companies that employ up to 10 people and essential services as defined in the decree on Clause 46, work remotely:
    1. It is understood that this percentage includes employees who are absent from work, either on leave or on sick leave, or because they are close contacts of a confirmed positive COVID-19 incident
  7. The owner and / or manager and / or administrator who has under its control the business and / or premises and / or any other place where economic activity is carried out in relation to goods or services is responsible for the observance of the Regulations provided in this Decree as well as the corresponding sanitary protocols and / or guidelines issued by the respective competent authorities,
  8. The use of a face mask is mandatory for all persons six years of age and older, indoors where there is more than one person and outdoors where two or more persons are and / or move, except in cases specified in guidelines, which issued by the Ministry of Health.
  9. All employees in the private, public, wider public sector, as well as in local authorities, may be absent from work throughout the day of their COVID-19 vaccination, without this day being deducted from the leave of absence and the remuneration of the employee and provided that a vaccination certificate is presented
    1. It is understood that in the case of a two-dose vaccine, this paragraph applies to both days of vaccination:
    2. It is further understood that this paragraph also applies on the day of vaccination of the third booster dose, in the case of two-dose vaccines, and on the day of vaccination of the second booster dose, in the case of single-dose vaccines:
    3. In addition, this paragraph also applies in the case of a parent / legal guardian of a child under the age of 18, provided that the parent / legal guardian accompanies his / her child for vaccination and provided that a certificate of vaccination of the child is presented
  10. All students between the ages of 12 and 17 may be absent from school for the entire day of their COVID-19 vaccination, with the provision of excused leave without the days being deducted from the predetermined number of excused absences and under the precondition that the vaccination certificate is provided:
    1. It is understood that in the case of a two-dose vaccine, this paragraph applies to both days of vaccination.
  11. All employees, including the self-employed, must have a comprehensive vaccination certificate for COVID-19 or a COVID-19 recovery certificate, provided that no more than six months have elapsed from the date of testing, or a negative laboratory test (PCR) for COVID-19 disease with sampling performed within 72 hours, or a negative rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling performed within 48 hours:
    1. It is understood that employers must ensure that their employees comply with the provisions of this Regulation
  12. In all indoor and outdoor areas and / or organizations and / or companies and / or premises where, subject to distancing measures, there is the possibility of gathering more than 10 persons, including employees, the following is required:
    1. for persons aged 6 to 11 years showing either a negative laboratory test (PCR) or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease, with testing within 7 days, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 disease, valid for six months from the date of testing of their initial positive diagnosis,
    2. for 12- to 17-year-olds demonstrating either a negative laboratory test (PCR) or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease, with sampling done within 72 hours, or a comprehensive COVID19 vaccination certificate, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 disease, valid for six months from the date of testing of their initial positive diagnosis
    3. for persons 18 years of age and older on presentation of either a comprehensive vaccination certificate for COVID-19 or a COVID-19 recovery certificate valid for six months from the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis or a negative laboratory test (PCR), with sampling performed within 72 hours, or a negative rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease, with sampling performed within 48 hours
    4. It is understood that the premises and / or organizations and / or enterprises and / or premises must posted in a prominent position outside the premises and / or organization and / or enterprise and / or premises, in order to present the relevant evidence.
  13. All persons entering and / or moving to areas requiring demonstration of either a negative laboratory test (PCR) or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19, or a comprehensive vaccination certificate for COV-19 , or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 disease and provided that no more than six months have elapsed from the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis, must bring with them an identity card or passport, as additional evidence, when requested by the competent authorities and / or the owners and / or managers and / or managers who have control over the site and / or organization and / and business and / or premises and / or persons authorized by them, pursuant to Regulation 48.