Can I travel to Greece from the UK? Quarantine advice including islands Zante, Mykonos and Santorini
BRITS hoping to jet off to Greek islands face uncertainty as a new regionalised approach to the quarantine list is announced.
Mainland Greece is still safe for those travelling from England - here's the latest Covid-19 travel and quarantine advice for Greece.
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Can I go on holiday to Greece?
If you are travelling from England, it's still possible to travel to Greece without having to quarantine when you come home.
However, seven specific Greek islands have now been added to England's quarantine list.
The islands affected are Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Zakynthos, also known as Zante.
This was announced on September 7, as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced a regionalised approach to replace a broader, nationwide quarantine rule.
Quarantine rules in Scotland and Wales differ to those in England - for example, you can travel to Rhodes from England and Wales without needing to quarantine, but not from Scotland.
Santorini is on Scotland and England's quarantine list, but isn't on Wales' list.
Mykonos, Lesvos, Paros and Antiparos and Crete are also part of the Welsh quarantine restrictions.
While cases in Greece remain low compared to other European destinations, figures have been steadily climbing, with 10,998 overall infections and 3,804 deaths.
Areas like Laganas in Zante have been actively encouraging holidaymakers to return.
Greece added extra restrictions to Zante, Paros and Antiparos, including a suspension of live events and a limit of four people per table in restaurants.
Tui added extra flights to Zante after scrapping flights to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands.
They have added seven new flights to Crete, Rhodes, Zante and Corfu in Greece.
Paul Charles, founder of the travel PR consultancy firm PC Agency, : "We’ve heard of lots of cancellations for holidays to France, Italy and Greece.
"Dominic Raab said they wouldn’t hesitate to introduce quarantine measures on other countries and that’s simply put fear into people."
What is the latest travel advice for Greece?
Greece’s most recent 14-day rate of cases, according to the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), is 26.7 per 100,000.
This is lower than the UK, France, Spain and Italy.
Now seven islands are on England's quarantine list, but you can travel to mainland Greece without needing to self-isolate.
You will have to wear a face mask while travelling around Greece.
The government imposed a night time curfew from midnight until 7am on bars and restaurants in Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes, Zante and Crete.
What other restrictions are in place in Greece?
Brits will need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 24 hours before travelling.
Tourists arriving in Zakynthos will be greeted by members of the Greek armed forces who will be conducting spot tests on incoming arrivals.
Face masks are also mandatory on public transport, including flights, and are required outside.
Hotels, attractions and shops are all open for business, but parties have been banned.
Greek officials have also added extra restrictions on the island of Mykonos and the coastal region of Halkidiki after a rise in coronavirus cases.
A QR code will then be sent which must be shown at the airport after disembarking.
Failure to show this could result in being turned away or fined €500, with a group of tourists being forced to pay the fine earlier this month.
Random testing is also in operation - which may result in a period of self-isolation if testing positive.
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Are flights operating to Greece?
Since the middle of July 2020, it has been possible to fly from the UK to Greece.
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Initially flights were held off due to the UK's infection rates.
Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and Wizz Air all resumed flights to Greece.