Greece quarantine: full list of Greek islands added to England’s quarantine list including Mykonos and Crete - and rules explained

While Scotland has implemented blanket quarantine requirements for travellers returning from Greece, England has announced that only those returning from certain islands will have to quarantine
Seven Greek islands have been removed from England's quarantine exemption list (Photo: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images)Seven Greek islands have been removed from England's quarantine exemption list (Photo: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Seven Greek islands have been removed from England's quarantine exemption list (Photo: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images)

While visitors returning to Scotland from Greece must self-isolate for 14 days, so far Greece has stayed off of England’s quarantine list.

However yesterday (7 September) it was announced that those returning to England from certain Greek islands will have to self isolate.

This is everything you need to know.

What are the new rules?

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England has announced that seven Greek islands have been removed from the quarantine exemption list, meaning that travellers returning from them will have to self isolate for two weeks when they return.

However, not all of Greece is affected by the new rules, meaning that travellers returning from mainland Greece will not be required to self isolate.

The seven Greek islands that have been added to England’s quarantine list are:

- Crete

- Lesvos

- Mykonos

- Santorini

- Serifos

- Tinos

- Zakynthos (also known as Zante)

The rules come into force at 4am on Wednesday 9 September, meaning that those that return after that time will have to self isolate for 14 days.

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In England, those who fail to self isolate when it is required can face a fine of up to £1,000.

The government also states: “If you do not provide an accurate contact detail declaration – or do not update your contact detail form in the limited circumstances where you need to move from the accommodation where you’re self-isolating to another place to continue self-isolating – you can be fined up to £3,200.”

Why are only certain islands targeted?

On Monday 7 September, the transport secretary announced the introduction of a more targeted approach to travel corridors which separates some islands from mainland countries.

The Department for Transport (DfT) states that this means that an area that presents a higher or lower public health risk to UK travellers “can be assessed separately to the rest of the country”.

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Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “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.”

The seven islands identified indicate “a significant risk to UK public health” according to data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England.

The UK Government’s regional policy will only apply to land that has a “clear boundary” – such as an island – and “internationally comparable data” on coronavirus cases, the DfT added.

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

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Announcements on which islands and countries will be added or removed from the quarantine list will be made as part of a weekly process.

What are the Greece quarantine rules around the UK?

Wales has taken a similar approach to England when it comes to Greece quarantine rules.

The country is asking returning travellers to self isolate if they have returned from any of the following six islands: Crete, Mykonos, Zaknythos (or Zante), Lesvos, Paros and Antiparos.

The English and Welsh rules differ to Scotland, which has implemented a blanket quarantine rule for travellers returning from any part of Greece, regardless of whether they’re coming from an island or the mainland.

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In Northern Ireland, there are no quarantine measures in place for those returning from Greece.

This is the first time the government has applied a regional approach to its quarantine policy for international arrivals.