GREECE is experiencing a series of wildfires, as the country faces its most severe heatwave in 30 years – with temperatures up to 45C (113F).
Residents and tourists have been forced to evacuate several areas around the country as a result of the blazes.
The country is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, but how will the natural disaster affect the tourist trade this summer?
Where are the fires?
Firefighters and residents are battling a massive forest fire on Evia, Greece's second largest island for a seventh day, with more than 2,000 people evacuated.
Firefighters were also brought in to fight blazes in Crete and Zante, which were quickly brought under control and are now in recession.
Other big fires have been burning forests and farmland in the southern Greek region of the Peloponnese, while a major blaze that encroached into the northern suburbs of Athens and Mount Parnitha national park on the fringes of the capital is on the wane.
Is it safe to travel to Greece?
Many of the wildfires have come under control since last Friday, when much of the country was under an Extreme Fire Risk (Category 5 alarm).
According to the Greek fire prediction map, no areas are in category 5 now and around 10 per cent are in Very High Risk (Category 4), while most of the country is in category 3 or 2.
For tomorrow, a very high fire risk (risk category 4) is forecast for:
- North Aegean Region (Samos Prefecture, Ikaria Prefecture)
- South Aegean Region (Rhodes, Karpathos, Kos, Kalymnos)
- Region of Crete (Heraklion Prefecture, Lassithi Prefecture)
- Region of Ionian Islands (Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zante)
- Region of Western Greece (Prefecture of Ilia, Prefecture of Achaia)
What has the Foreign Office said about travelling to Greece?
The UK Foreign Office has told UK travellers to "follow the advice of local authorities at all times and check with your travel provider for travel updates."
For further information on the risk of forest fires, visit the Civil Protection website and register on the Greek government’s Emergency Communication Service to receive emergency alerts.
If you’ve been affected by the wildfires and need consular assistance, you can call the British Embassy in Athens on +30 210 7272 600.
If you’re in the UK and worried about a British national in Greece, call the FCO on 020 7008 1500.
What are the entry requirements for Greece due to Covid?
If you’re travelling from the UK, you will need to have completed a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arrival in Greece.
You will also need either, proof of a negative PCR test, taken up to 72 hours before arrival
Proof of a negative rapid antigen test, taken up to 48 hours before arrival
Proof of being full Covid vaccination at least 14 days before travel Proof of recovery, with evidence of a positive PCR test result taken between 30 to 180 days ahead of your travel dates.
These requirements are compulsory for all travellers above the age of 12.
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