ATHENS - British tourists could become pariahs in Europe, as Greece left the UK off a list of low Covid-19 countries from which holidaymakers can come to visit.
Britain is currently excluded from Greece’s current “white list” of 19 countries where its scientists judge the coronavirus infection rates to have fallen enough for tourists to be allowed into the Aegean holiday favourite.
Among those on the list are China, Japan, Australia, Norway, Poland and Serbia but Britain, Italy, Spain and the United States are excluded.
Asked if Britain would be included on the “white list,” Greek tourism minister Haris Theoharis said: “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.”
He indicated Britain still needed to improve if Greece was to open up its border to British tourists. It restarted regular ferry services to its islands on Monday as it eased its lockdown to salvage its tourism season.
Foreign tourists are currently required to self-isolate for two weeks, but this is due to be relaxed by June 15 and direct flights to the Greek islands are expected to be allowed to resume from July 1. Official figures yesterday showed the coronavirus curve in the UK continued to flatten although experts suggested the rate of decline was slowing. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 134 people died from disease, taking the country's total death toll to 37,048.(FA)
Britain is currently excluded from Greece’s current “white list” of 19 countries where its scientists judge the coronavirus infection rates to have fallen enough for tourists to be allowed into the Aegean holiday favourite.
Among those on the list are China, Japan, Australia, Norway, Poland and Serbia but Britain, Italy, Spain and the United States are excluded.
Asked if Britain would be included on the “white list,” Greek tourism minister Haris Theoharis said: “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.”
He indicated Britain still needed to improve if Greece was to open up its border to British tourists. It restarted regular ferry services to its islands on Monday as it eased its lockdown to salvage its tourism season.
Foreign tourists are currently required to self-isolate for two weeks, but this is due to be relaxed by June 15 and direct flights to the Greek islands are expected to be allowed to resume from July 1. Official figures yesterday showed the coronavirus curve in the UK continued to flatten although experts suggested the rate of decline was slowing. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 134 people died from disease, taking the country's total death toll to 37,048.(FA)