The head of Civil Protection announced on Friday 8th January that the existing 2nd nationwide lockdown, that started on 7th November 2020, will be extended one more week.  The lockdown restrictions that were supposed to end on Monday 11th January will now be in force until 6:00am Monday 18th January 2021.  The opertation of clickaway services for retail stores, bookstores, hairdressers and nail salons remain suspended, churches will stay closed to the faithful and the ban on hobby fishing and hunting remains in force.  To leave their homes, people must still send an SMS to a government hotline number 13033 that includes their reason for movement, with the use of face masks mandatory everywhere when not in the home.  The 9:00pm to 5:00am curfew remains in place across the country.

Greece's Civil Aviation Authority declared a new compulsory seven-day quarantine for passengers flying into the country from abroad, including from European Union member countries, up to and including 21st January.  Passengers will also face random spot rapid tests on arrival, in the event of a positive result, self-isolation is mandatory for 14 days.  In addition, all are still required to provide a negative coronavirus test a maximum of 72 hours before arrival and fill in a passenger locator form.  Rapid tests on arrival are compulsory for passengers arriving from the United Kingdom, who will only be able to wave their quarantine if they test negative for Covid-19 at the end of seven days.  American nationals are still not permitted to enter Greece, and there is no projected date when entry will be reinstated. 

Even though the lockdown restrictions have been extended, kindergartens and elementary/primary schools are still expected to reopen on Monday 11th January and Covid-19 vaccinations in nursing homes are expected to be completed by 20th January 2021.