The Greek government has confirmed it will not allow direct flights from the UK until July 15.
Greece is among the countries expected to be included on a list of ‘Covid-safe’ destinations with which the UK will have air bridges in place from July 6.
However, the country has been cautious about opening up to UK tourists based on the countries’ respective records on dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
The extension of the ban on direct flights from July 1 was confirmed on Monday, with local media reporting prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as saying: “The whole opening process is dynamic and the data will be constantly evaluated.”
Similar measures have been taken against flights from Sweden over its poor coronavirus record.
In a written statement to Parliament, also on Monday, transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed plans to publish a list of countries “later this week” from which travellers will not have to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
Details are now expected by Wednesday.
Shapps also confirmed the Foreign Office (FCO) is reviewing its advice against all but essential travel, with details also to follow “later this week”.
The statement on Monday followed the government’s announcement of a ‘Covid travel list’ late on Friday night (June 26) and decision to introduce a traffic light system of green, amber or red to classify countries depending on an assessment of the Covid-19 risk.