Greece: Church entrance only with negative test for unvaccinated believers

Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photo: a screenshot of the video from the Youtube channel Ο Πρωθυπουργός.

Since November 22, 2021, the Greek authorities have banned believers unvaccinated against coronavirus from visiting churches of the Greek Orthodox Church without a negative PCR test, reports the ORTHODOXIA INFO website, citing a statement by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

At the same time, the official said that the non-admission to the temple without a COVID vaccination or a negative test is provided for by a circular from the Synod of the Church of Greece. He noted that the structures of the GOC will also control the order of the authorities, in addition to state bodies. “As for church services, I repeat, believers who will not have been vaccinated must present a negative laboratory test. This, after all, is provided for in the circular of the Holy Synod, which is now called to be supervised by its bodies and, by sampling, by the State,” Mitsotakis said.

After the introduction of new restrictions on November 6, people are banned from visiting almost all institutions without vaccination or a negative PCR test, except for grocery stores, pharmacies and temples. At the same time, several Greek politicians demanded that the ban be extended to the attendance of divine services.

As reported, the Synod of the GOC called for people to come to churches either with vaccination or with a negative test.

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