Has anyone travelled to Greece yet?

[NoMoreLimbo]

I’m due to travel to Rhodes on the 8th of August. Has anyone on here travelled over there since the travel corridors were introduced?

I flew to Greece last week. You need to fill in a passenger locator form at least 24 hours before you arrive on Greece. I was asked to show my QR code at Heathrow. Then when I arrived my QR indicated I had to be tested for COVID. The queue was very short and test done very efficiently. You hear back within 24 hours only if it's positive. And you are advised to go about your business.

Everything was efficient and easy and it feels like they have things under control here. Definitely need a mask. You are not allowed to go in the supermarket without one, no exceptions.

All in all it was easy and I am so glad I am here!

Two of my colleagues are in Greece right now - both on holiday (separately) but they dialled in to our weekly team meeting to gloat about the gorgeous weather They both say it's wonderful and they feel safer there than back here!

(I did the same from Brittany two weeks ago so I can't throw any stones )

@opalescentblue

Hello, where can I get this PIL form? And how soon before travel should I get it. Do children under 8 need it?

@opalescentblue you can fill in the form whenever you like. And then you receive the QR at midnight on the day of your travel. You add you kids to yours.

You will likely be tested but they only test one person from each household so your kids won't have to be tested.

Hi @summersolstice43, could you please share where I can access the PIL form? Can’t find anything online on it and my GP didn’t know anything about it. Assuming it’s like a private PCR test? Thanks.

@Dogsandbabies Hi, sorry, I’ve just seen your message! Thanks for this. Where can I access this form?

@opalescentblue

You can access it here: travel.gov.gr/#/

You don't need a private test for travel to Greece. If they need you to be tested they will test you here.

@opalescentblue I hope you got the link I sent in my PM, I was on my mobile so not sure if it has worked but @dogsandbabies has posted the link also, good luck.

Also, you need to fill one out on return to the UK but you cant do that until 48hours before you are due back in the UK which to me seems crazy.

We have flights booked for the middle of August - really hoping we can go.

Can I ask on the form you fill out can you give two addresses. We arrive on one island the first day, then take the ferry to second island where we will spend most of the holiday.

Can I ask those who had Covid tests done prior to flying where you accessed these?

A friend of mine is in Skiathos at the moment and she reports that it is lovely, more like May/ June in Greece - so definitely doesn’t seem over crowded.

Just for clarification purposes, you have to fill the form in at least 24 hours before arrival. So if our flight lands at 10pm Sunday we need to have done the form by 10pm Saturday?

2 days until our holiday to Rhodes.
I have been swinging between enthusiasm and worry. I have heard reports that our hotel is handling things well but I am worrying about the airport. Is social distancing a thing or is it basically masks only?

@OneOfTheThree May I ask how you got the NHS test without saying you have symptoms? Was it a drive though test or a home one ? We're going in two weeks and I'd like to get one just for extra reassurance that I won't be holed up for 14 days in quarantine. It would be just my luck to test positive with no symptoms. We're traveling from Bradford so I think we're going to be pulled for a test due to the location.

You can just book them online and select the 'other' box for reason and then 'not when it asks if you have coronavirus symptoms.

You a damn sight safer there - everywhere vaguely fun here in SW England absolutely rammed never seen anything like it we had to come home - we are locals

@Pertella thank you for that - what is the turn around time for these tests and getting results ? Did you then take those results with you when you flew ?

@Pertella thank you that's good to know

My sister is there right now, arrived 2 days ago from LGW. Said the journey was amazing, flight half empty and they're having a fantastic time at their villa.

Currently in Greece on one of the islands and it’s been a great holiday.

Flight here was full. Showed QR code but were waved through without testing. Masks worn in supermarkets and eating outdoors in tavernas the staff had masks on, wiping tables and menus with antibac. Plenty of places open, beaches nice and quiet. Feel safer here than at home!

Most people get their results back the next day.

@iwantavuvezela we ordered the tests just over a week before we travelled and they came really quickly. We then planned to take them on the Tuesday, when we traveled Friday. I got my results on the Wednesday afternoon and OH on the Thursday morning. They came by text and we showed them the texts and they were fine with that, although we had to talk through the dates of testing and results with them, to make sure it was less than 72 hours before. The test results came back very quickly though so could risk testing a little later. We only tested ahead to try to avoid the 2 year old being tested at the airport. They did say we would all need testing before we showed them our negative results.

@Peakypolly where we are, the Greeks are not particularly social distancing. I don't think it comes easily to them! However, there is mask wearing in shops and on ferries, and by all serving staff in bars and tavernas. There has been no cases on this island, so I think they are quite relaxed. I hope it stays that way for them. At the UK airports, there was social distancing, but it is more relaxed here, although they have signs and floor markings. Rhodes is more busy so may be different. Have a lovely time.

We are in mainland Greece. Gatwick airport was v quiet plenty of space and everyone wearing masks. It's essential to complete your PLF online at least 24 hours before you go. We did one form per adult with children listed on parents form. At 10 pm night before travel the QR numbers come through. That's midnight Greek time. These were carefully checked by EasyJet staff. About a third of the passengers on the plane were selected for testing at Volos airport based on the QR code. We weren't tested. Everything was well organised. We are staying in a very remote small village and it is wonderful. We have a hire car and our own apartment and eat dinner each night on the beach so no masks required. Only mask I have seen is in the small shop. The Greek people are so welcoming and pleased to see us. We are the only British visitors they have had this year. We have been coming here for many years and booked flights last September but I was very apprehensive about coming this year. So glad now that we did.

Just back last night from gorgeous Skiathos. Loved it- was quiet but still and buzz in the town and plenty open. Greek islanders don't seem great at social distancing- or wearing moped helmets, seatbelts or adhering to the smoking indoor ban- but that's partyl why so many people love the Islands. It's certainly easy to be careful in hotels,restaurants and the beach and chose your restaurant carefully.

We're on Crete. Plenty of people about but not too busy. Its easy to maintain SD and tables are nicely spaced out. Loads of hand sanitiser and all staff wear masks when they approach to take your order and serve your food (although they take them off at other times which is fair enough)

Hi, we're going to Greece next week and completed the PLF today. As I understand it we don't need to test here beforehand but may be selected for random testing on arrival, is this still right?

Thats still the case as far as I know.