Travel has largely been off the cards for the last few months as Brits have been told to stay at home by the Government amid the country’s third lockdown. And to add to the situation, the Government has just implemented a quarantine hotel policy in which travellers touching down in Britain will have to pay for and isolate in a hotel for ten days. As with everything else, holidays are greatly missed – especially for a nation reliant on a good break in the sunshine – and undoubtedly people are looking forward to the day they can get back on a plane.
Is Greece open to UK tourists?
As it stands, UK tourists should not be travelling to Greece if it’s not absolutely essential.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is advising against all but necessary travel to the Mediterranean country.
But the summer could hold better news as UK tourists may be allowed to travel to Greece by then.
The UK is understood to be developing a system of ‘vaccine passports’ as Greece prepares to welcome tourists who have been vaccinated.
READ MORE: Covid vaccine passport could allow travellers into Greece
Although Mr Mitsotakis stopped short of saying vaccine passports should be mandatory for entry, he said a formal certificate would encourage more people to be vaccinated.
In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he said: “It is urgent to adopt a common understanding on how a vaccination certificate should be structured so as to be accepted in all member states.
“Ensuring the quickest possible re-establishment of freedom of movement is of necessity, and a fundamental priority for us all.”
But he ensured it would not become a condition of travelling to Greece, adding he is “not going to make vaccination compulsory or a prerequisite for travel, persons who have been vaccinated should be free to travel”.
Mr Mitsotakis added: “For countries such as Greece, which are dependent on tourism, it’s imperative that this issue is resolved before the summer season.”
