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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