Greece quarantine: latest FCO advice on travel and holidays as Greece remains on Scotland's quarantine list amid rise in Covid cases

Greece currently remains on Scotland’s travel quarantine list, after being added at the beginning of September

Greece was removed from Scotland’s travel corridor list after a spike in cases in the popular holiday destination.

At the time of the travel restriction changes, Gov.uk said it was “due to a significant rise in cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) being imported into Scotland by people who have been in Greece.”

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Greece is the latest country to have been added to Scotland’s travel quarantine list, after a recent spike in coronavirus cases (Photo: Shutterstock)Greece is the latest country to have been added to Scotland’s travel quarantine list, after a recent spike in coronavirus cases (Photo: Shutterstock)
Greece is the latest country to have been added to Scotland’s travel quarantine list, after a recent spike in coronavirus cases (Photo: Shutterstock)

What does the quarantine mean?

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Travellers returning to Scotland from Greece now have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Ministers have said they have taken this decision due to a "significant rise" in cases of Covid-19 being brought into Scotland from people who have recently been to Greece.

Greece has therefore been removed from the "travel corridor" exemption list for Scotland on public health grounds.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), there have been 4,486 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Greece over the last 14 days.

Scotland's chief medical officer, Dr Gregor Smith, previously said: "There is a compelling public health risk around importation of the virus, especially given the number of imported cases linked to the Greek islands.

"The flow of travel between Scotland and Greece, and the behaviour we have seen from some of those travellers, means that on public health grounds there is a strong case - supported by public health directors - to remove Greece from the exemption list."

The nearby country of Turkey has also now been removed from Scotland’s travel corridor list, meaning travellers returning to the UK from Turkey on or after 4am on Saturday 3 October will have to self-isolate.

Are there any restrictions in place?

There is a nationwide limit of 50 people on the number that can gather for public and social events, except those to which special rules apply, such as restaurants, theatres, cinemas.

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Shops, bars and restaurants are open, but relevant public health regulations apply when visiting them, including limits on the number of customers per square metre.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) notes, “Face masks are also obligatory in public indoor spaces, including medical facilities, lifts, staircases and any enclosed venue providing goods or services (including supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries, cafes, banks, government and utility providers’ offices, retail shops, barber shops, hairdressers and beauty parlours and places of worship).”

There are exemptions for dining areas and for medical reasons. No standing customers are allowed in entertainment venues (clubs, live music venues, bars, restaurants, cafes).

What are the entry requirements for Greece?

Travel to Greece is subject to entry restrictions.

If you travel to Greece, you will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 24 hours before travel.

Failure to do so in advance may result in your carrier not allowing you to travel, a 500 Euro fine on arrival or the Greek authorities not allowing you to enter the country, explains the FCO.

Every traveller, including children, must have their details included on a PLF, and if you’re travelling with others outside of your household, then you should all complete your own form.

If you’re travelling together as a household, then the Greek authorities ask for you to complete one form with all adults and children included.

You can add members of your household at the top of the form before you submit.

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However, it’s worth noting that some airlines may require individual PLFs for every traveller over the age of 18 within the same household.

You should check directly with your airline in regards to what you will need to show in order to be allowed boarding.

What if I have a holiday booked?

Greece is currently exempt from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) advice against all non-essential international travel, but those returning to Scotland from Greece on or after 3 September will need to self-isolate on return.

Some airlines or travel companies may have changed their upcoming flights or holiday bookings to and from Scotland in response to the new changes, so it’s worth checking directly with your travel operator to see if anything has changed.

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