Greece could be added to Scots quarantine list after highest number of coronavirus cases recorded

Greece has recorded its highest number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic emerged earlier this year.

Health officials in the country recorded 293 positive cases of Covid-19 yesterday amid a recent surge in infections.

The previous high was recorded on Sunday, August 23, when 283 people were reported to have come down with the deadly virus.

Greece has been one of the least hit European countries during the pandemic - 248 people are reported to have died while 9,280 have tested positive for Covid-19.

Scots have to self-isolate for 14-days if they are returning from a country that has been removed from Government's exemption list (PA)

But there are now fears that the popular holiday destination among Scots could be struck off the Scottish Government’s quarantine exemption list.

Any one arriving back from Greece will have to quarantine for 14 days upon their return to Scotland, if such a change were to go ahead.

A seven-day rate of 20 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people is threshold above which the UK Government considers triggering quarantine restrictions.

While it hasn’t breached that threshold, an increase from 13.5 to 14.1 is likely to be a concern.

The Scottish Government has generally followed officials south of the border when it comes tom imposing quarantine restrictions.

However, a general consensus appeared to change when rules on self-isolation were applied to anyone arriving into Scotland from Switzerland - the same restrictions do no apply in England.

An announcement is expected to be made later today as part of both governments’ weekly quarantine reviews.

Jamaica and the Czech Republic could be next to come off the exemption list with a current rate of infection at 19.9 and 19.4 respectively.

Greece has introduced a number of strict new measures to try and control the spread of the virus.

In the popular holiday destination of Lesvos, Mykynos, the coastal region of Halkidiki and and the Chania region of Crete, all gatherings are limited to nine people, indoors and outdoors.

Only four people or six close relatives are allowed to share a table at restaurants.

Masks are compulsory in all public spaces, indoors and outdoors.

The strict restrictions have also been imposed on the islands Paros and Antiparos, where all live events and celebrations are banned.

All holidaymakers travelling from an area with high coronavirus rates should wear a mask while outside anywhere in Greece.