Stay safe this summer in Crete: all the Covid-19 rules & measures

After the successful management of the Covid-19 health crisis, Greece has returned to normalcy, with the gradual lift of the restriction measures.
The return to the “new normal” and the restart of tourism is naturally marked by new health protocols and hygiene measures. Social distancing remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and is highly recommended at all public spaces, while also in some cases the use of a mask is mandatory.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of the new Covid-19 measures in place this summer in Greece. Please note that all measures are subject to change as their implementation depends on the monitoring of the situation by the Greek government.
This summer follow the rules and enjoy your summer vacations at Rethymno in safety!

The Syntopia hotel
Our priority at The Syntopia hotel is the safety and well-being of our guests and employees. For this reason, we have implemented a Health and Safety plan, in compliance with the latest standards and protocols issued by the Greek Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO). It includes a comprehensive list of best practices and guidelines focused on enhanced cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We make sure that you’ll love The Syntopia life, care-free and safe!

Organized beaches
At organized beaches a maximum of 40 people per 1.000 sq.m. is allowed. The distance between umbrellas should be at a minimum of 4 m., whereas the sunbeds under neighbouring umbrellas should be at 1.5 m. distance from each other. For each umbrella, two sunbeds are allowed (except for families with children).
All sunloungers must be disinfected by the beach staff after every use, but it’s also obligatory for users to place a towel on their sun lounger – and that’s their responsibility. Also, it is mandatory for the beach staff to regularly disinfect the sanitary facilities (WC, locker rooms, showers) and post the cleaning and disinfection schedule daily.
Overcrowding at the beach bar should be avoided. Food delivered at your sunbed should be packaged. Finally, whereas individual exercise is allowed, team sports are forbidden.

Museums & Archaeological sites
Museums reopened to the public on June 15. They allow a limited number of visitors per hour and the use of a mask and antiseptic hand sanitizer is highly recommended. Visitors are requested to keep a distance of 2 meters from each other.
The same rules apply to archaeological sites that reopened to the public on May 18. A limited number of visitors are allowed and distances (1,5 m. from other people) should be kept.

Restaurants & Café-bars
Seating at restaurants, cafes, and bars is allowed both in indoor and outdoor spaces. The distance between the tables should be at the minimum 70 cm (when there are no seated people in the space between the two tables) and 170 cm (when there are chairs with seated people in the space between the tables). The required distances are different for indoor spaces and they range from 90 cm to 180 cm. No more than six people are allowed per table (there is an exception for families with children).
Restaurant staff is obliged to wear masks and gloves and hand sanitizer gel must be available at the toilets and the cash register. Customers are encouraged to pay by card.
For buffet restaurants, the use of hand disinfectants is obligatory for customers. Food is served strictly by the restaurant’s staff who should wear a mask and gloves. Also, a sneeze guard is placed to protect food.

Open-air Cinemas
While cinemas remain closed, open-air cinemas reopened June 1st with new safety rules, including a 70% capacity limit to ensure safety distances. The use of masks is optional for the audience, but mandatory for the staff. Snack bars are open during the screenings, and there are no intermissions.

Concerts & Cultural Events
Concerts and live performances take place exclusively at outdoor venues, as of July 1st. To keep distances, open theatres and venues will operate at 40% capacity. The distance between the first row of seats and the stage should be at least 3 meters. When the audience is standing, a distance of 1.5 m. should be kept between the members of the audience.

Stores
Shopping therapy is safe! The number of customers allowed in a shop depends on its floor area (square meters of the main area), so keep in mind that you might have to wait in a queue before entering. For example, stores up to 20 sq.m. are allowed to take in up to 4 people at the same time (employees included), stores with the main area between 20 sq.m. and 100 sq.m. can host up to 7 people in total, and stores above 100 sq.m. can have a maximum of 12 people plus 1 person per 15 sq.m. for the additional area above 100 sq.m.
For bigger stores usually, there is an employee at the entrance monitoring the number of people entering the store. Distances of at least 1.5 m. must be maintained and the use of masks by employees and customers is mandatory. It is recommended to customers not to use elevators.

Hairdressers / Beauty Salons
Hairdressers and beauty salons accept customers only by appointment. The use of protective masks is mandatory for the staff and highly recommended to customers. The distance between the working spaces must be 2m. Working hours have been extended from 07.00 to 22.00 on weekdays and 07.00 to 21.00 on Saturdays, but this is optional, so actual working hours may differ.

Car Rentals
If you wish to rent a car during your vacation in Crete you have to keep in mind that certain restrictions apply to the number of passengers per car: For cars with up to five seats, only two passengers are allowed (including the driver). For cars with 6 or 7 seats, the driver plus two passengers are allowed. For cars with 8 or 9 seats, the number rises to three passengers plus the driver. These restrictions do not apply to families with children.
The use of masks, both by the driver and the passengers is mandatory. Between uses of the vehicle by different customers, elaborate cleaning and disinfection are applied.

Tour Buses
Tour buses operate at a 50% capacity. The use of masks by the driver and the passengers is mandatory, and hand sanitizer should be available at the entrance. Also, a plexiglass sneeze shield to separate the driver from the passengers is recommended.

Taxis / Public Transportation
The use of disposable or reusable fabric masks is mandatory on taxis and all means of public transportation. Taxis can carry no more than two passengers plus the drivers, but there is an exception for families with children.

Ferries
Boats and ferries travel at 60% capacity (or 65% for boats with cabins). Only 2 people are allowed per cabin (except for families of up to 4 people), while a number of the aircraft-type seats will remain empty in order to avoid overcrowding. Before embarkation, passengers are required to fill in a questionnaire and also have their temperatures taken. Passengers with symptoms of Covid-19 will not be allowed on board.
Inside the boat the use of a mask is mandatory. Also, passengers should keep 1.5 m. distance from each other and should avoid crowded areas.

Fines
The fine for not using a mask whenever it is mandatory is €150. So please keep in mind to always carry with you some disposable or reusable fabric masks to protect yourself and others!