Greece to Carry Out Maximum Number of Coronavirus Tests at Border
09 July 2020 News
In connection with the en-masse testing for the coronavirus on entry into Greece in recent days, the Bulgarian Embassy in Athens has reported that there was no document issued by a competent Greek authority, such as the Greek Public Health Organization, imposing a requirement for mandatory testing for COVID-19 of everyone crossing the Kulata-Promachon checkpoint.
According to the Bulgarian Embassy, talks with the Greek Civil Defense Secretariat resulted in a clarification, namely that testing individuals crossing into Greece from Bulgaria for COVID-19 proceeded on the basis of risk, with testing being done selectively and informed by the data contained in an electronically completed form. Greek authorities aim at carrying out the maximum possible number of tests at Kulata-Promachon per day and this number currently stands at 3 000 tests. This means that if the number of travelers on a given day is up to 3 000, everyone will be tested. If this number is not exceeded then not everyone will be tested.
Travelers tested for COVID-19 at Kulata-Promachon are instructed to go into self-isolation for 48 hours at the address they have entered in the form. If they test positive, they will be contacted by the Greek authorities at that address in order to be placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine. The Greek government will cover the expenses for their stay at the place which they had selected for the quarantine as well as the cost of medical services and hospital treatment, if such are necessary.
The Bulgarian Embassy in Athens has received assurances from the Greek Civil Defense Secretariat that any Bulgarians who test positive for COVID-19 and wish to return to Bulgaria instead of spending the 14-day quarantine period in Greece will be allowed to depart immediately if they undertake not to make any stops on Greek territory on their way to the border, all in strict compliance with anti-epidemic measures. We advise such nationals that they should immediately notify the Bulgarian authorities about their positive COVID-19 tests upon arrival in Bulgaria.
In view of the anticipated heavy traffic at Kulata-Promachon during the upcoming holiday, we recommend to Bulgarian nationals planning to travel to Greece to make provision for long delays.
We further advise Bulgarian nationals to carefully read the answers to all questions that may arise before they travel to Greece at: https://greecehealthfirst.gr/?lang=en. The information is also offered in English.
There they will find answers to many questions grouped in the following sections:
1. Can I travel to Greece and how? By land, air, or sea?
2. Safety during the stay in Greece: accommodation, food, culture, and entertainment.
3. What should I do if during my stay in Greece:
- I experience symptoms of COVID-19?
- I was in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19?
- I am placed under quarantine? Who will cover the costs?
4. On the website, they will also find a Passenger Locator Form (PLF), which should be completed and to receive a mandatory QR code.