Greece Off UK’s List Allowing Quarantine-free Travel
Photo Source: @Heathrow Airport
In a surprise turn of events, Britain appears to have kept Greece off its soon-to-be announced list of countries to and from which travelers can enter the UK without entering 14-day isolation.
British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Friday that England had entered reciprocal “air bridge” agreements with dozens of countries, including the majority of EU states, under which people can travel freely with no two-week quarantine period required, but having to provide contact information.
Shapps went on to add the both the US and Greece were not on the list, which includes – according to the BBC – Italy, Spain, France and Germany, among others. He cited the lack of reciprocity on the part of Greece as the reason behind the decision, referring to an aviation directive (NOTAM) issued by Greece on Tuesday extending a previous suspension of all flights to and from the UK until July 15.
“Greece does not feature as it has banned flights from the UK until 15 July,” Shapps said.
Other countries reportedly on the list are Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Gibraltar and Bermuda.
Earlier on Thursday, news came out that British authorities were going to scrap an “air bridges” policy which was to take effect on the same day. Instead, the UK government said it was deciding on a list of low Covid-19 risk countries from which travelers will be exempt of quarantine measures.
On Saturday, the country’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is expected to lift its advisory “against all but essential international travel”.
Photo © GTP
Greece is traditionally a favorite holiday destination for British travelers, many of whom either have holiday homes in the country or return each year.
British authorities were expected to announce the full list of at least 60 allowed quarantine-free entry into the UK in the next hours.
According to the BBC, the new color-coded list is made up of low Covid-19 countries, nations with reciprocal agreements, and those with full quarantine requirements.
It should be noted that according to the BBC, the list will not apply for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, which will decide their own rules.
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