×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Sunday
18
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 7°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Greece

Athenians flee capital after free movement allowed

The exodus caused traffic jams

Newsroom May 14 06:01

Greeks were leaving en-masse from the Attica basin to nearby islands and other destinations on Friday, following the official lifting of the Covid-19 movement restriction between prefectures.

The exodus from urban centres started from early noon, causing traffic jams at the road tolls at the exits from Attica. Athenians, ‘locked down’ in Attica for so long due to the Covid-19 movement restrictions, decided to abandon the capital for three days after work.

Meanwhile, chaos also prevailed at the port of Piraeus, as many of the citizens leaving were turned back because they did not have the necessary documents for the coronavirus.
Many were trying at the last minute to find a rapid test, resulting in long queues forming in surrounding pharmacies.

>Related articles

The global era of Messinia: How the film Odyssey and the lists of major media praise it for 2026

Less alcohol and lower speeds with the new Highway Code and strict fines

The most powerful passports in the world for 2026, the important position of Greece

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#athens#attica#free movement#travel
> More Greece

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Mitsotakis: Greece will not be challenged by anyone with the Belharra frigates – Our goal is to support farmers with transparent subsidies

January 18, 2026

Akylas receives rave reviews for his Eurovision 2026 Greek final entry: “We might actually win with this little gem,” Fans write

January 18, 2026

What Trump is seeking with the extra tariffs on eight European countries for Greenland, the trade deal with the EU is in the air

January 18, 2026

The global era of Messinia: How the film Odyssey and the lists of major media praise it for 2026

January 18, 2026

Greek exports broke records with a record 37 billion euros

January 18, 2026

Sakkari delivers the ‘point of the year’ as she advances at the Australian Open

January 18, 2026

New legal migration rules for 90,000 pending residence permits

January 18, 2026

Weather: Why the new cold wave brings little snow until Tuesday – Stronger weather deterioration expected from Wednesday

January 18, 2026
All News

> Elections september 2015

Varoufakis: Troika and Greek oligarchy ‘in bed’

Juncker is insignificant, says Varoufakis

September 23, 2015

Newly appointed minister D. Kammenos circulated doctored Auschwitz pic, 9/11 conspiracy theory

September 23, 2015

Popular Unity party to ask for recount of votes in 4 regions of Athens

September 23, 2015

New government sworn-in

September 23, 2015

German news agencies welcome the new government of Tsipras

September 23, 2015
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα