Brits looking forward to a summer holiday in Greece have been warned the country is unlikely to welcome UK citizens when it reopens.
Yesterday Greece announced that its tourist season will begin on June 15 with the opening of seasonal hotels, while international flights will be able to head directly to tourist destinations from July 1.
In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said visitors would be subject to sample coronavirus testing and “our general health protocols will be adhered to, without them, however, overshadowing our bright sun or the natural beauties of Greece”.
Mr Mitsotakis noted that Greece has “managed to restrict the spread of the virus”, adding: “We made our country an example to follow in the handling of the health crisis.”
Mr Mitsotakis also announced a reduction in consumer taxes on transport from 24% to 13%, which will lead to cheaper boat, plane and bus tickets during the tourist season, as well as a cut on tax on coffee, soft drinks and open-air cinema tickets.
But Greek tourism minister Haris Theoharis told ITV News the UK's record on coronavirus is not good enough for Britons to be allowed to visit.
He said a list of countries whose citizens can go to Greece will be released this month.
He said: “I think that the UK has a big difference in terms of the current medical status of the country with Greece, so I don’t think it’s likely it will be there."
The list is likely to include Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, Serbia, Romania and other Balkan countries as well as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Israel and Cyprus.
The full list will be revealed this month.
