With Greece now under a national lockdown, set to last until at least the end of November, it is highly inadvisable to plan on coming to the School until the future course of the coronavirus pandemic becomes clearer. The Greek authorities have ordered the closure of libraries and archives, and accordingly the School's research facilities are currently closed to members as well as to the public. Heightened measures for public health are likely to continue in force for months and it is difficult to predict, at this exact moment, whether the School will be able to reopen in December. 

The previous update on travel to the School follows. Much of this information is currently still accurate in broad strokes. International travel to Greece is technically still permitted, but all arriving passengers must present the results of a recent (negative) COVID test. (Presumably, arriving passengers must proceed directly to their accommodations in order to enter lockdown.) When the lockdown is lifted, we will provide a further update on the prospects for conducting research at the School. In the meantime, any scholars hoping to come to Athens in the next few months should be in touch with Eric Driscoll (eric.driscoll@ascsa.edu.gr).

 

Previous update: 

 

With the fall semester now underway and the situation for the next few months becoming clearer, we are providing a status update on the prospects of traveling from North America to Greece. The facilities of the School are available for members’ use, but only on an appointment basis. Please be in touch with the relevant department head to discuss access. 

The continuing controls on international travel into Greece mean that U.S. and Canadian citizens without a Greek visa or residence permit (and who do not satisfy one of the other exemptions to the travel ban - also see here) are prohibited from entering Greece. Prospective members who are interested in traveling to Greece may be able to obtain a "member of a foreign archaeological school" visa, which will allow them to travel here, enter the country, and apply for a residence permit. This is an expensive and complicated process that is not suitable for short research trips. If you plan to apply for a visa to enter Greece within the next several months, please contact the Assistant Director, Eric Driscoll, at eric.driscoll@ascsa.edu.gr. 

All travelers who are able to enter Greece—whether because they hold EU/Schengen Area citizenship or residence permit, receive a visa, are presently residing in a country whence travel to Greece is permitted, or meet some other criterion allowing entry—are currently required to fill out a "Passenger Locator Form" at least 24 hours before departure. The form and more information are available at https://travel.gov.gr. Failure to submit the form will result in a fine upon arrival.
 
Also upon arrival, travelers from the U.S. should expect to be tested for COVID-19, although in practice testing has not been uniform. If you are tested, you will receive results (within 24 hours) only if the result is positive. If your test is negative, you will not be contacted.
 
The School is currently requiring newly arrived Members to self-isolate for one week (7 full days) before accessing School facilities. In addition to School facilities, you must avoid contact with members and staff of the School during the period of self-isolation. When you first arrive at the School, please bring your stamped passport, boarding pass, or tickets to confirm observance of the requirement.

Please note that the Greek government is currently requiring a mask or equivalent face covering to be worn at all times within both indoor and outdoor public spaces. 
 
Domestic travel within Greece is currently in full operation, generally with capacity reduced to allow for social distancing. You are required to wear a mask at all times while traveling by taxi, bus, train, plane, or ferry, and there are limits on the numbers of passengers allowed in cars (currently three for a standard car; two for taxis). Please feel free to contact Eric Driscoll (eric.driscoll@ascsa.edu.gr) if you require advice on itineraries or schedules for domestic travel or on entrance into the country.