Anyone been to / going to Greek islands?

[Twobigsapphires]

Due to holiday on Greek Island in 2 weeks. Really anxiety inducing, anyone in the area boat or can offer reassurance?

@izzy2076 I would go to Croatia instead, because I think it's green? Two things that sent my stress levels sky-rocketing while we were on holiday was 1) Majorca being moved to amber while we there - just didn't expect it at all, so the Balearics were only on green for 3 weeks. After the farce with Portugal, I assumed they'd leave countries on green for longer once they were on there, but no, they do just change things with next to no notice. Hasn't affected us in the end because they also brought in the thing about not self-isolating if double vaxxed, but I feel we had a lucky escape.
2) While I was out there, I read that they nearly put France on red, which shocked me into realising that if you go to an amber country, they can change it to red whenever they feel like it - now that was a scary thought!

You have to a test before returning to England. So Spain ir Greece. Is the test free or do you purchase it. And how long does it take for results. I’m double vaccinated

That’s the crux of it for me, the testing to get back home. I just couldn’t do with the stress of worrying if one of us tested positive what would happen. I don’t think I’ll go abroad again until that is scrapped. I don’t mind isolating once I’m home, but not abroad.

@Dohrehmee

You have to a test before returning to England. So Spain ir Greece. Is the test free or do you purchase it. And how long does it take for results. I’m double vaccinated

You have to purchase it. At the moment rapid antigen tests are accepted.. there’s a bunch of companies that offer a internet based service - u order the kit before you go , bring it with you on holiday, then do the test over zoom with their nurse, get the cert emailed to you for your return flight. You can find accepted providers on the BA covid test page..

Antigen tests to return home are so quick and easy. Like lft test. Take a picture of your test result, with the unique bar coaxed and your passport and upload to the company. Within an hour or so a fit to fly certificate is emailed by a doctor. It’s very simple

We booked flights with ba that are
Movable and accommodation independently. No one is asking for money upfront here and I have paid when we leave so no risk, except moving the flight. That too has been easy and have done twice. We are recently returned from Greece and so worth it.

Well that's DH and me doubled vaxxed today...fingers crossed we can actually get away!

DH and I were contemplating going to Greece in September but the idea that we could be at risk of quarantining for the whole holiday because someone on the plane tested positive is just too stressful.

@kindlekeeper is that acceptable though? The tests I have heard of you have to have a video consultation while you do the test. The opportunity for falsifying results is huge if you just have to upload a photo? 🤔

Have travelled twice and required pcr, guidance changed and have now used this twice to return to the uk. No problems encountered.

@kindlekeeper and @Chardonnay73 I bought those tests, on your suggestion KK. Bought from Chromonics. Same company that TUI use. Thanks for the tip KK!

Thank you all for this thread, which has been so useful. Am about to do LFD tests for my kids and have realised that while Gov.uk say this should be 48 hours before flight, the Greek site (from the PLF document) say 48 hours up to arrival ... has anyone else run into this discrepancy? I'm assuming the Greek info is the one to go with?

We are hoping to Kefalonia on Saturday ... we shall see but worth a go I think ...

Hope you have a lovely time.

I understand that the lft should be taken within 48 hours of landing .

@PlumpCushion

I understand that the lft should be taken within 48 hours of landing .

Thank you @PlumpCushion I'll be patient then

Argh. From looking at tui website just a few hours ago, it now appears the advice has changed and ALL passengers to Cyprus now must take a PCR on landing, even if fully vaccinated. The tui website is the only place I can see it though.

It feels like this really increases the chances of someone on the flight testing positive if there is no pre boarding test Either.

I'm at the point I really won't be overly disappointed if we can't go, but I really want a cash refund which I know we'll only get if we hold our nerve until the last minute and have it cancelled. We want to go to Florida next year so don't want to be restricted to Tui if we can only rebook.

That’s how I’m feeling as well @name6785 I’ve been browsing options for Croatia and Malta today as they seem slightly safer options but TUI doesn’t have a great selection of hotels in either so a refund is looking like the best option at the moment

I’d be interested to know if Heraklion airport are doing LFT’s or PCR on arrival.

It’d be just my luck to be sat behind the family who test positive 😕

It makes no sense for you not to be tested before you go.

@GrealishHairband - hope this link works:
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g189413-i424-k13586025-All_UK_Arrivals_being_Covid_tested_on_landing-Crete.html

Yes, agree it makes no sense not to test everyone before they go!

Not a popular viewpoint perhaps but I actually think that foreign travel might be one of those situations where fully vaccinated people are more of a threat! (Due to lack of testing before boarding the plane)

I’d be interested to know if Heraklion airport are doing LFT’s or PCR on arrival

Heraklion airport is a nightmare at the best of times, can't imagine arriving there and waiting for tests - with the possibility of having to isolate if there's a positive.
Most disorganised airport I've ever been too. Last time we queued from arriving with the tour company right to flying, check in was so long, airport rammed, a strange check in your case, then squash back through the queue with said case, to queue again to put the case through. Hideous.

So they would split my husband and I Apart at the quarantine hotel if we tested positive? Why?! That is not good, might be the final nail for me.

So they would split my husband and I Apart at the quarantine hotel if we tested positive? Why?! That is not good, might be the final nail for me.

Don’t know - could be a positive as far as I’m concerned!

agreed under normal circumstances actually!