money British holidaymaker forced to quarantine in Greece after testing positive for coronavirus
A British holidaymaker and their family have been forced to self-isolate for two weeks in Greece after testing positive for coronavirus.
The traveller, who was asymptomatic, was tested at Corfu airport as part of the country’s health screenings and random testing measures for all arrivals.
They then headed to the Tui Blue Atlantica Grand Mediterraneo Resort, an all-inclusive seafront hotel.
Although test results are generally available within 24 hours, the holidaymaker did not receive the news that they had Covid-19 until four days later, on 7 August, reports the Mirror.
Their entire party was told to isolate within their rooms, before being moved to a special quarantine hotel. They must remain there for 14 days.
Tui has contacted all of its 140 guests staying at the hotel, as well as everyone who was on the same flight as the infected passenger.
The latter group could be told by the Greek authorities that they must also self-isolate for two weeks.
According to the Foreign Office: “You should also be aware that if other passengers on your flight subsequently test positive, you may be subject to further quarantine/self isolation requirements. These will be mandatory and you should comply with the Greek authorities’ requirements.”
The hotel has since undergone “extensive cleaning”, according to Tui.
“We can confirm that a guest staying at the TUI Blue Atlantica Grand Mediterraneo Resort in Corfu has tested positive for Covid-19,” said a spokesperson for the tour operator.
”We are in regular contact with the customer who is showing no symptoms and continues to stay in a designated quarantine hotel.
“As soon as our team in Corfu became aware of this case, the customer remained isolated in their room until they were able to be moved to the specialist isolation unit.
”All relevant customers who may have come into contact with the guest, as well as all new guests due to arrive at the hotel, have been notified.
“No guests or employees have reported any illness.
”The hotel has carried out extensive cleaning procedures in line with government advice and guests can continue to enjoy their holidays while maintaining the hygiene precautions we have in place.”
They added that Tui has “implemented extensive hygiene and safety measures” across its aircraft, transfer buses and hotels since the beginning of the summer season, which has been much disrupted due to the pandemic.
Europe’s biggest holiday company lost €1.1bn (£1bn) during April, May and June as coronavirus took hold worldwide and put an end to almost all tourism.
But Tui says it has “successfully resumed its travel activities” in all markets – including the UK.
Reporting its third-quarter results, the Anglo-German travel group said its financial performance had met its own expectations and that advance bookings for summer 2021 look “very promising”.
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