Greece ‘packed with French tourists who get free Covid tests while Brits must pay’ – World News
Tourist spots in Greece are reportedly packed with holidaymakers from France – who are eligible for free Covid tests, while Brits have to fork out £150 for each one.
Under current regulations, people travelling from the UK to amber list countries are required to take four tests, racking up a bill of £600 on top of their travel and accommodation costs.
Critics say this needs to change, although ministers have said people are not advised to travel to these countries at all unless it is essential.
Greece is one of many European tourist hotspots, including France, Spain and Italy, on the amber list – meaning people must quarantine at home on their return or face fines of up to £10,000.
Although travelling there is legal, the government has said people should not do it in a week of confused messaging.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The French government is providing free tests to people travelling abroad, and the Mail on Sunday reports that the Greek island of Sifnos is “flooded” with tourists as a result.
Former British Airways boss Willie Walsh said the PCR tests should be free for UK travellers.
He said: ‘The tests are being mandated for health reasons, therefore they should be provided free of charge by the health authorities.’
And the former airline chief fumed: “All you have to look at is the number of people who have gone into the PCR testing business in the last few months.
“It’s clear that people see this as an opportunity to profit from a health crisis.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
During a Downing Street press briefing this week, Mr Hancock said people should not be going to amber list countries at the moment.
He said: “We have been absolutely crystal clear that you should not go to an amber or red list country on holiday, you should only go in exceptional circumstances.
“I think we have been really clear throughout this pandemic that there are some things we have banned in law but there are some things that we do not recommend, but you don’t necessarily have to ban everything.
“As a government minister, if you don’t advise it and you think it isn’t the right thing to do, you don’t necessarily ban it – there are many examples of that.
“What we do know is that the public have been brilliant at exercising the personal responsibility that we are seeking.”
