Greece travel restrictions: Scottish tourists warn they will be unable to return to work

Travellers from Greece will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days on arrival in Scotland from tomorrow.

Tourists wear protective face masks as they fill in a form for before embarking on as small cruise boat along the waterfront of the northern city Greek of Thessaloniki. (Photo by SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Scottish holidaymakers in Greece have said they will be unable to return to work due to rule changes which would see them quarantine if they return on or after Thursday.

Bob, 57, who chose not to give his second name, is due to arrive back in Glasgow on Saturday morning and the new restrictions will stop he and his wife returning to work.

"I'm not happy... we only heard from my sister after I was joking with her about her having to lockdown as part of the Glasgow area (which is imposing new restrictions)," he told PA.

"I'm in Rhodes where they couldn't be any safer... those making the decisions should see first hand how the people in Rhodes are dealing with the situation."

Fellow Glaswegian Stuart Gilmour, 58, was due to fly to Greece on Friday but is now unable to as his wife would be unable to return to work.

"If Jet2 don't cancel the flights we'll lose close to £1,000," Mr Gilmour added.

The rules

Travellers from Greece will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days on arrival in Scotland from 4am on Thursday morning.

Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are in the midst of a global pandemic and the situation in many countries can change suddenly. Therefore, people should think very hard before committing to non-essential travel abroad.

“With Scotland’s relatively low infection rate, importation of new cases from Greece is a significant risk to public health."

The official UK Foreign and Commonwealth advice remains for all citizens to avoid non-essential travel.

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