TUI has announced that it will be restarting holidays to the popular holiday destination of Greece from July 15. It comes as UK holidaymakers will officially be allowed to fly directly to Greece from that date. A spokesman for the Greek government confirmed that a decision was made to permit UK flights from July 15 “in co-operation with the British Government and after the recommendation of experts”.
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Greece did reopen its borders to tourists from July 1.
However, the country banned flights directly from the UK due to coronavirus.
Britons make up more than three million visits to Greece each year.
Greece is one of the countries that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has deemed exempt from travel advice.
This means that Britons can travel to the country and avoid facing the UK’s stringent quarantine rules on their return to the UK.
Now, travel and tourism company TUI has said it plans to restart its summer programme to Greece on Wednesday.
The tour operator was due to serve four Greek islands at the beginning of July.
However, it had to cancel those initial trips due to direct flights from the UK to Greece being prohibited.
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A TUI spokesperson said they are now pleased that they can restart holidays there.
A spokesperson said: “We’re really pleased the Greek Government has confirmed British travellers will be able to holiday there this summer without the need to quarantine on arrival or on their return to the UK.
“In line with the latest advice we plan on adding Greece to our summer holiday programme from 15 July.
“Our latest booking data shows that Greece is one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers this summer and we can’t wait to take people back there.”
However, the FCO warns that Greece may ask visitors to be tested for COVID-19 on arrival.
“The Greek authorities may require you to undergo testing for coronavirus, as part of health screening after you arrive in Greece,” says the FCO.
“Any passenger entering Greece is liable to be asked to undergo a test, but you are likely to be asked if you have arrived from a country outside of the EU (including the UK), either directly or via indirect flights.”
It adds: “You must complete an online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 48 hours before your arrival in Greece.”
Face masks are also mandatory when on transport to and from Greece, as well as in airports.
Britons who travel to Greece will not be asked to quarantine upon their return to the UK under new quarantine free travel.
So far, Greece has only had just over 3,800 cases of coronavirus.
The country has experienced a sudden surge in cases after it reopened to tourists.
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