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Reports: Greece May Make it On the UK’s Revised Travel List

A number of Greek and Spanish islands may soon be included in the UK’s revised “green list” of countries allowing restriction-free travel and not requiring returning travelers to quarantine, according to reports this week in The Telegraph.

British authorities are expected to announce the new list on June 7, which according to the British daily may include several Greek islands while still retaining mainland Greece in the amber category, which means that the quarantine rule applies to people returning to the UK after visiting the country.

The UK has been criticized for its list which allows quarantine-free travel to 12 countries only with airline companies and travel groups putting pressure on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to facilitate travel and refrain from “inconsistent” measures.

Expressing their disappointment, easyJet, Jet2, TUI UK, Airlines UK, ABTA, and Manchester Airport sent a letter to Johnson urging him to expand the list and lift restrictions for returning travelers from non-listed destinations.

“Safe transport is possible,” said travel and tourism executives in the letter, adding that an “urgent extension to the green list is justified and should include many European countries, the United States, and the Caribbean”.

Greece has also expressed its discontent with the decision as the UK is among its top source markets. However, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis has expressed his confidence that the new list will include Greek destinations.

According to the reports, several Greek islands as well as Spain’s Canary and Balearic isles are in the running as are other Mediterranean and Caribbean destinations. Also under consideration are Malta, Grenada, Cayman Islands, Fiji, British Virgin Islands, Finland and Caribbean islands thought to incorporate Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos and Anguilla.

British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the changes may be in place from June 7.

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  1. Katrina Wood - Giannaraki Reply

    Seems to me the British Government is determined to destroy the travel industry permanently!!! Uncertainty, abrupt changes to a countries colour code, consequently cancellations and unprecedented costs! Politically motivated or what! Here in Greece we have a handful of cases and have vaccinated 75% of the population. Amber!!! Really Boris!!

  2. Jacqueline Harrison Reply

    I do not understand why the testing from a green list country is required before and after return to UK. The official reason is to stop varients coming into the UK however Europe have no varients the UK hasn’t and in most cases, less

  3. R. Ferguson Reply

    For us to go this year it is going to cost us, £240 before we travel for tests, and £240 when we get home to the UK, if for some reason it went back to amber while we were in Greece thats another £240 for PCR tests.
    Its a pity Greece would not allow a lateral flow test these tests are used in Schools and Hospitals to test for the virus and are either free or cheaper. £480 or £720 is a lot to pay and thats for two people Families will not travel a family of four would pay £480 or £1440. We had two holidays in Crete last year and no testing was needed, and i do not think it caused Greececany problems.

    • Pete Reply

      Only a PCR test is required to get on the plane to fly to Greece, as it’s in most countries or every country right now. You’ll be tested at the airport for free, and if you’re to be found positive, they quarantine you at a hotel, on Greek government’s expenses, while travelling to the UK, hotel quarantine (from red countries only I think) costs £1700-2000, traveller’s expenses. Quite difficult to quarantine you though, if your PCR is negative most likely the test at the airport will be negative too. PCR tests in Greece cost €60-70 while in the UK (at least London) cost £120-250 depending on the provider. Plus, the 2 tests UK requires for your quarantine (from amber countries) when you’re back, and you have to book from gov.uk cost from £100-525 and a third one (to break quarantine in case the first one was negative) which could cost you around £200 while in Greece they cost €5 each. UK prices above are in London, not sure how much they cost in other places in the UK.

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