Greece opens its doors to UK tourists – but with strings attached

Visitors have to fill in a detailed form and face random testing

Two weeks after most European tourists were allowed to visit Greece, the country has opened its doors to British holidaymakers.

A Tui flight to Rhodes is due to depart from Gatwick this morning, at the end of a ban on flights from the UK to Greece.

Britain’s biggest holiday company is also planning to restart operations to Corfu, Crete and Kos.

But passengers face increased red tape – and the chance of a random test for coronavirus on arrival.

Every visitor to Greece must apply for a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 24 hours before departure.

The government in Athens demands: “Detailed information on their point of departure, the duration of previous stays in other countries, and the address of their stay while in Greece.

“In case of multiple stays, they are required to provide the address for the first 24 hours at least.”

The authorities promise: “Travellers will receive the PLF with their unique Quick Response (QR) code on the day of their scheduled arrival in Greece.”

But The Independent has heard of cases in which British motorists waiting to sail from Italy to Greece have not been able to board ships because the QR code has not come through.

The Greek government says that they should be allowed to board on the understanding that the code should arrive during their journey.

Visit Greece tells holidaymakers: “Incoming visitors may have to take a targeted random test.

“Travellers tested for Covid-19 will have to self-isolate for 24 hours at the address of their destination until the test results are out.

“Those who test positive will be quarantined for 14 days in designated hotels in each region capital and on the islands.”

Meanwhile Cyprus is planning tough conditions on UK holidaymakers travelling to the island from 1 August.

The Mediterranean island has an “A” and “B” list of countries from which visitors are allowed.

The UK appears on neither, but the Interior Ministry says: “Provided the gradual improvement shown in the epidemiological situation of the United Kingdom continues, this country will be included in Category B as of 1 August.

British holidaymakers are warned that they will have to produce evidence of testing negative for coronavirus before they board the flight.

Suitable PCR tests are available in the UK but typically cost around £150.

An alternative may emerge: testing on arrival, price €60 (£54). Passengers will then be required to self-isolate until they receive the results of the test.