Greek islands added to travel quarantine list as England to take regional approach to restrictions

Holidaymakers returning to the UK from seven Greek islands will need to self-isolate from this Wednesday, the Government has announced.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said England will take a regional response to quarantine rules by adapting restrictions in response to more localised risks.

He told the Commons that "enhanced data" now enabled the UK to differentiate between islands and mainlands when enforcing measures.

Under the new terms, mainland Greece will maintain its coronavirus "travel corridor" exemption.

But from 4am on Wednesday arrivals from the following Greek islands will need to self-isolate for 14 days: Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos (also known as Zante).

The decision brings England partly into line with Wales, which removed six Greek islands from its quarantine-free list last week.

Addressing MPs on Monday, Mr Shapps said: “Our top priority has always been to keep domestic infection rates down, and today we’re taking the next step in our approach.

“Through the use of enhanced data we will now be able to pinpoint risk in some of the most popular islands, providing increased flexibility to add or remove them – distinct from the mainland – as infection rates change.

“This development will help boost the UK’s travel industry while continuing to maintain maximum protection to public health, keeping the travelling public safe.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the seven Greek islands are losing their quarantine-exemptions, because data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England “has indicated a significant risk to UK public health from” each of them.

The Welsh Government has also removed the quarantine-free status of Paros and Antiparos, but not Tinos, Serifos or Santorini.

Despite the welcome differentiation between islands and mainlands, Mr Shapps clarified that different restrictions could only apply where there is a "clear boundary" such as a natural border.

He told the Commons: “In many cases, the international data is still simply too patchy and, in all cases, there is next to nothing to prevent people from moving around within a country’s border.”

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