Greek holiday warning to Brits – book trips on 'smaller islands' as they are prioritised for vaccine rollout

FAMILIES booking a holiday to Greece this summer are being urged to opt for the smaller islands – as they will be getting the vaccine first.

Seven per cent of the Greek population have been given the first dose of the Covid vaccine, compared to the UK's 32 per cent.

However, Greece is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits, with tour operators including TUI and Jet2 seeing a huge booking boom for the country.

The country's tourism minister Harry Theoharis has said that they are prioritising the smaller islands with fewer than 1,000 residents for the vaccine first.

He told the Telegraph: "We’re vaccinating everyone on islands that have a population of less than 1,000 inhabitants.”

“If you’re going to send a medical team to an island with a small population, it makes sense to vaccinate not just the elderly and vulnerable, but everyone."

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This includes approximately 40 islands such as Halki, near Rhodes, Kastellorizo, Meganisi, and Kythira.

However, Mr Theoharis added that the other tourist islands such as Mykonos and Crete will be "a priority" and will follow shortly after to vaccine staff working in the tourist industry.

Holidays abroad have not yet been given the go-ahead by the UK government, with the Global Taskforce to announce an official date from April 12.

While it is hoped that foreign holidays could resume from May 17, some experts have warned this is too early and may instead be from the later date of June 21.

Greece has been vocal in pushing for vaccine passports which would allow Brits to travel to the country restriction-free.

While travellers without the vaccination would still be able to travel to the country, they would then need proof of a negative Covid test or proof of negative antigens.

Mr Theoris explained: “For the time being, it has to be a PCR test but by the time we open an antigen (rapid) test should be sufficient."

Brits returning to the UK must also quarantine for 10 days at their own home, while paying for three different Covid tests – one before arrival, one on day 2 and one on day 8.

From today, anyone now leaving the country must have an "exit form" declaring their essential reason for travelling abroad or face £200 fines.

Here are some of the other holiday destinations likely to welcome Brits back this summer including Spain, Turkey and the Maldives.

It follows the announcement that Cyprus will welcome fully vaccinated travellers from May 1.

However, not only is this two weeks before Brits can go on holiday abroad at the earliest, but will require both vaccine jabs, not just one.

Teenagers between 12 and 18 are also not eligible for the vaccine – so family holidays will still require negative Covid tests.

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