Covid-19: Greece Increases Quarantine Period for UK Arrivals

Photo source: Heathrow Airport

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) has updated the aviation directive (NOTAM) for arrivals to Greece from the United Kingdom, following developments concerning the new mutant strain of the coronavirus (Covid-19) that has been spreading recently in England.

According to the updated directive, all travelers arriving to Greece from the UK must self-isolate for 10 days as of 6am on Friday, December 25. The measure will be in force until January 7, 2021 at midnight.

Until December 25, travelers from the UK to Greece will continue to quarantine for 7 days as previously announced.

Upon arrival to Greece, travelers from the UK must immediately take a rapid Covid-19 test. They then must self-isolate either at their home (for permanent residents) or at the place of temporary residence declared on the Passenger Locator Form (PLF), for 10 days, unless they are to remain in Greece for a shorter period, in which case the temporary restriction is valid for that period of time (until their departure).

After the tenth day of quarantine, UK passengers will be obliged to take a new PCR test. If the test is negative the quarantine ends.

It is reminded that the submission of the PLF by all passengers of international flights to Greece remains mandatory.

Moreover, travelers from abroad also have to submit a negative Covid-19 test result (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece and also take a rapid Covid-19 test upon entry.

Several EU countries are suspending air traffic from the UK due to the new mutant strain of the coronavirus, which was confirmed on December 13 in the county of Kent in southern England. According to health experts, the new strain is up to 70 percent more transmissible than previous mutations.

EU officials are currently exploring ways to harmonize measures taken by its member states to prevent the arrival of citizens from the UK in efforts to stem the spread of the virus.