Travel: Paul Charles warns travel testing is 'recipe for chaos’
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The next “traffic light” system update is anticipated on or before June 7. Although the Government has yet to confirm which nations, if any, will be added to the green list some travel experts are already making their predictions.
Greece has been pinned as a favourite for summer holidays for some time, with the nation already allowing Britons to return with or without vaccinations.
While the mainland is not anticipated to be on the green list for some time, according to Paul Charles CEO of the PC Agency, its archipelagos could be on the list from this week.
When asked by BBC News which nations could be on the list, Mr Charles said: “Possibly some of the Greek islands like Zakynthos, Rhodes and Kos but a very thin number,” he said.
Currently, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is not advising against travel to Rhodes, Kos, Zakynthos, Corfu and Crete, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks despite their place on the amber list.
Experts have previously suggested this could be a good indication of what green list countries are to come.
Mr Charles predicted mainland Greece could also open later in the summer.
“I’d expect far more to open at the end of June assuming the vaccination rollout goes well in Europe, for example,” he added.
“That’s when you’re more likely to see Spain, Italy, Greece added but I’m afraid this Thursday we’re only going to see a small handful added.”
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Though Greece is currently on the amber list, the country is welcoming back Britons and has even set out ways to prove vaccination status while European Union (EU) vaccine passport plans remain in progress.
According to the FCDO: “If you live in England, Greece will accept the NHS app or your NHS letter to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status.
“You should not use your NHS vaccine appointment card to demonstrate your vaccine status.”
Last week, when asked about whether or not the Canary, Balearic or Greek islands would be added to the “green list” soon, Mr Shapps told Sky News: “We will have to wait for the Joint BioSecurity centre to provide their readout on all of this.”
He continued: “We have always said in the past we have tried to assess islands separately.
“Whether that is possible or not isn’t just down to the level of infection on those islands, it’s also down to their ability to sequence the genomes that we know about, the variants or potential variants of concern on those islands as well.”
Regardless of whether or not Greece and its archipelagos make the green list, Nicky Kelvin, editor of content at The Points Guy UK, predicted the nation could see a tourism “boost”.
“Greece and others have clearly said they will be allowing tourism from England this year – potentially leading to an increase in booking regardless of whether it will make the green list or not,” he told Express.co.uk.
While Greece is allowing UK holidaymakers to return, there are a number of requirements in place.
Those who have not been vaccinated will be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test.
“Travellers must fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) no later than 11.59pm of the day before arriving in Greece,” explains the FCDO.
“Arrivals from the UK must provide either; proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, undertaken within the 72 hour period before arrival into Greece, or proof of two COVID-19 vaccinations completed at least 14 days before travel.
“Travellers with proof of either are exempted from the need to self-isolate on arrival to Greece.
“Failure to provide proof of either may result in your carrier not allowing you to travel and will likely result in the Greek authorities refusing you permission to enter Greece.”
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