COVID-19 - PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

Dear passengers, in accordance with the guidelines of the national health authorities, the meticulous observance of rules for hand washing / sanitizing and for respiratory hygiene, the use of face masks, physical distance keeping, very good cleaning and sanitizing of spaces and surfaces, especially of those frequently hand touched, are the basis for the protection of passengers and employees at Athens International Airport.  If you are travelling through Athens airport, keep in mind the following:

• Entrance in the Main Terminal Building and the airport premises is permitted to ticketed passengers only. Exceptions exist for specific cases (escorted minors, escorted passengers with disabilities).
• The use of face masks is obligatory after entering the airport terminal; you need to keep it on throughout your stay in the airport areas (Joint Ministerial Decision of May17th, Gov. Gazette Bulletin 1869/Δ1α/ΓΠ.οικ.30612). Children under the age of 6 as well as those with respiratory problems are excluded. Please be aware that you may be asked to temporarily remove your mask during security and identity check processes.
• The use of face masks is also obligatory during boarding, as well as during the flight. It is recommended to change the face mask every 4 hours or in the case of the face mask being wet or soiled.
• Airport employees are equipped with all personal protection items (masks, gloves, sanitizing liquids), which they are using at all times during their work.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers are available in over 300 spots at the airport, including bathrooms and restrooms; please feel free to use them during the departure and arrival processes.
• Polycarbonic panels are used for additional protection during the provision of services conducted in direct contact with employees (ticket desks, information counters, etc.).  
• Keeping distances is mainly a behavioural measure for passengers and airport staff, and a distance of 1.5 metres should be kept during all phases of the travelling processes on ground. Special signage on floor surfaces, announcements at airport screens and banners are helping you to keep the necessary distances.   
• Facilities, machinery, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces in the airport areas, are cleaned and sanitized regularly with special materials. 
• Airport, airlines and ground handlers’ staff are at your disposal to provide you with information about the hygiene measures and the relevant procedures applied in the airport, as well as on board, and supervise the implementation of the necessary measures (physical distancing and face masks).
• Information and guidelines regarding hygiene measures are communicated through a constant flow of public announcements (PAs are regularly made through the airport’s public announcement system), as well as through visual content on the airport screens and the relevant signage in all areas.
• It is important to select e-services options prior to your departure to the airport (web check-in), as well as within the airport areas (web check-in, self check-in, baggage tag printing, drop off baggage, e-parking).  
• Seating in all waiting areas has been re-arranged, in order to allow for minimum distances to be kept. It is recommended that you should leave one seat vacant next to each seated passenger. Families or couples travelling together, do not have to keep this distance.
• The air-conditioning system in the airport facilities provides fresh, renewed, and top-down recycled air, in order to limit horizontal air circulation. Furthermore, the air is filtered for dust, viruses and bacteria or fungi, through special filters. 
• For the protection of Passengers with Reduced Mobility, all the above measures are meticulously applied, while, in addition, rules for priority boarding, avoiding lengthy stay in closed areas including the airport’s PRM facility, are implemented. PRM wheelchairs and Ambulifts are cleaned and disinfected regularly, before and after their use, in order to secure the maximum possible protection of passengers against Covid-19.
• Everyone, entering the airport terminals must comply with the health protection measures in force at the airport – For your convenience, these measures are constantly communicated through visual material and repeated audio announcements.     

We are constantly working closely with the National Public Health Organization (EODY), whilst all instructed measures are diligently implemented. 

The above measures are subject to the continuous evaluation as to their effectiveness and will be modified as deemed necessary and instructed by the competent State Authorities. International incoming passengers, in particular, are requested by the State Authorities  to fill in a special personal data form;  the State Authorities may decide to proceed with biological sample collection for Covid-19 tests. Todate, incoming international passengers are subject to a 14-day isolation / quarantine. Airlines are providing their passengers with the relevant information.

The cooperation of all of us is important for a pleasant and safe trip 😊 

Specific instructions have been issued by EODY for passengers and airport employees across Greece to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. You can find all the relevant information in EODY’s site: https://eody.gov.gr/en/covid-19/.