Travellers arriving in Northern Ireland from seven Greek islands will have to self-isolate, Health Minister Robin Swann has said.
Anyone travelling to Northern Ireland from Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Crete, Mykonos, Santorini and Zakynthos (also known as Zante) from 4am on 9 September will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
The rest of Greece remains on the Travel Corridors exemption list. The government says islands can be treated differently from their mainland countries if infection rates differ.
Speaking about the changes, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “We will continue to monitor the situation in all countries and will move swiftly to make changes to the regulations when necessary.
“As we have seen in recent weeks, a quarantine period for people arriving from certain countries can be introduced very quickly so bear this in mind if you are planning any travel. The safety of the citizens of Northern Ireland will always be my priority.”
Devolved governments set their own travel rules and there are variations across the UK nations on some countries, including Greece.
England will also impose quarantine on travellers from the same seven Greek islands from 4am. Travellers arriving in Wales from six Greek islands must already quarantine - these islands are Crete, Lesvos, Mykonos, Paros and Antiparos and Zakynthos.
The Scottish government has imposed quarantine restrictions on the whole country of Greece.
EasyJet has announced it is cutting flights following the Government’s decision to impose quarantine restrictions for seven Greek islands.
The UK’s largest airline said it will reduce its schedule as “customer confidence to make travel plans has been negatively affected”.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “Following the imposition of additional quarantine restrictions to seven Greek islands and the continued uncertainty this brings for customers, demand is now likely to be further impacted and therefore lower than previously anticipated.
“We know our customers are as frustrated as we are with the unpredictable travel and quarantine restrictions.
“We called on the Government to opt for a targeted, regionalised and more predictable and structured system of quarantine many weeks ago so customers could make travel plans with confidence.”
A spokesman for British Airways’ owner IAG criticised the Government for being “too slow” in decision-making, urging ministers to “get on with it” on testing.
“For most families summer is now over and the damage to the industry and the economy is done,” the spokesman said.
“On testing, we need to get on with it. We are way behind other countries on what has to be a more nuanced approach.”
