We thought we would share our experience on our return to the UK on 7th May 2021.
We knew that we had to have a NEGATIVE Covid 19 Test before travelling and went to see Dr Manolis at the Medical Centre for advice. We showed him the specifications as identified on the GOV website and he gave us the choice of going to Rethymno for a PCR Test at ?60 each or taking the Antigen Rapid Test at the Medical Centre at ?20 each. We saw him the day before we left!! The test took 15 minutes in total and involved a long thin cotton bud up your nose. Pain and discomfort free.
We were also aware that we needed to book a Day 2 and Day 8 Test in the UK. You have to book these before you fly because the registered test number needs to go on the Passenger Locator Form. On the GOV website there are a load of companies identified who are able to provide the test, ranging in price from ?159 per person for the 2 tests to ?540 for the 2 tests. Book early - we booked 5 days before we travelled and the cheaper options were sold out. We ended up paying ?175. each.
On the day of travel, armed with the Passenger Locator Forms, the Negative Test Certificates, and Proof that we had booked our 2 tests in the UK we headed for Chania for the flight to Athens.
Apart from the usual Passport bit there were no checks at all at Chania, but at Athens check-in to Stanstead, the check-in staff went through every document required for entry into the UK. Most people got checked again at the entry to the departure lounge. We didn't.... This may have been because at check-in the lady gave us a slip of paper which showed that our documents had already been reviewed in detail. The people that got checked at the departure lounge may have check-in in online and had no luggage and therefore bypassed the check-in desk.
Interesting point, when we went through passport control at Athens, the officer was obviously concerned about the wife and my passports. It eventually transpired that he was looking for an entry stamp to Greece in the passport and there wasn't one. We had entered on 7th November - pre brexit - and had been in Crete for 6 months. Everything was OK once we showed him our Residency Permits (the new type) and he stamped our passports with an exit stamp. Not sure if this means you have to get your passport stamped every time you you enter, or only if you are anticipating staying more than 90 days!!!!
When we got to Stanstead there was a hours queuing as the Border Agency again checked every document. The wait was mainly due to people not having there documents ready when they got to the desk, despite the notices telling them what was required....
The NHS have since phoned us 3 times in 2 days to warn us that we must stay at the address on the Passenger Locator Form and that we might get a visit to ensure we are where we're supposed to be. On reflection I should have put my address as Golf Club.....
Hope this is some help to would be travellers - we can't wait to get back - its chucking with rain and miserable....I need a Mythos and the wife a Metaxa....
Jerry & Lin
