Published on Monday, June 1, 2020
Greece has said British holidaymakers will be allowed to visit from mid-June, subject to mandatory testing and possible quarantine on arrival, but Spain says the UK's infection rate must improve before it welcomes UK travellers.
Last week, the UK was omitted from a list of countries that Greece considered to be safe, but the Greek government has now said Brits can visit, subject to 24 hours' quarantine while they are being tested for coronavirus.
They will stay in Government-approved hotels while awaiting results. If negative, they will spend a seven-day self-quarantine at their booked accommodation. If the test is positive, then holidaymakers will be required to quarantine under supervision for 14 days.
The policy applies from June 15-30, during what the Greeks are calling their 'bridge phase'.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says British holidaymakers will be tested for coronavirus on arrival into the country.
Spain, meanwhile, is planning to welcome a small number of foreign holidaymakers in two weeks' time as part of a test run to re-boot its tourism business, but British visitors are not on the list.
Spain's tourism minister Maria Reyes Maroto has said that the UK's coronavirus record 'still has to improve' before the country will consider welcoming British holidaymakers.
She told Spanish media that Spanish and regional government representatives had spoken with operators including Jet2holidays and TUI about plans to re-boot the holiday industry.
But she said the UK's 'health situation still has to improve'.
"For us it is important to guarantee that people arrive healthy and leave healthy."
Spain plans to welcome foreign tourists to the Canary Islands and Balearics in two weeks' time as part of a pilot scheme. If it is approved, the country will open its borders properly to holidaymakers from July.
The Balearics Islands regional government wants to welcome around 3,000 German tourists who would holiday mainly in Majorca with some being allowed to travel to Ibiza and Menorca, from June 16. The Spanish government is also considering the Canary Islands in its pilot scheme plans.
According to reports, foreign holidaymakers would be tested for Covid-19 and quarantined for six hours before being given the all-clear to start their holiday.
Reyes Maroto said she would also talk to other regional government leaders, such as Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol about the pilot scheme. Mainland resorts like Benidorm and Marbella are currently on phase two of a four-stage national coronavirus recovery programme.
Greece image by Travelspot, Pixabay
Majorca image by Lutz Hirschmann, Pixabay
EasyJet urges customers to return to UK as it axes flights
Ryanair warns it may axe all UK flights from the end of January
Best and worst airlines for Covid response named and shamed
Sandals' founder and Chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart has died
Pre-departure Covid tests to be mandatory in England from Friday
Grant Shapps' 'flippant' remark angers industry
Travel agency brands Saga 'disgusting' in social media backlash
Current Asia/Pacific Special Edition
Should the UK have a Cabinet Minister for Tourism ? UKInbound talk to TravelMole
Travelzoo talk about 2021 prospects - what's hot and what's not
The Rocky Mountaineer comes to Colorado
Destination Marketing Campaigns explained by Brightons 'Never Normal' Team
Sri Lanka 2021 - its the place to be
You can book now your advertisement for via our online booking service or find out more.
Post your comment
Your Comments
NOTE: Comments are subject to admin approval before being posted.