Tourists risk being refused entry into Greece after tracking code delays
British holidaymakers travelling to Greece face anxious waits and hefty fines after apparent issues with the country’s track and trace system meant some users were not receiving the necessary QR code to pass coronavirus controls.
Travellers are required to fill in a “passenger locator form” (PLF) 24 hours before arrival in Greece so they can receive a code to show authorities on arrival, either printed or on a smartphone.
But tourists have reported confusion as the code does not arrive until midnight “on the day of their scheduled arrival”, in Greek time.
The UK Foreign Office (FCO) says travellers may need to show the code to their airline or be refused boarding but the Greek government has said some tourists may only receive the QR code to their phone “during their flight”. Greece is one of the UK's confirmed "travel corridors".
The FCO says British arrivals without the necessary code risk a fine of €500 or being refused entry at the Greek border.
One worried traveller asked Aegean Airlines whether he could board his flight without the code? “The QR code for my PLF has still not yet arrived. Is it all right to make the boarding with the confirmation email?” he said. The airline said the code was “mandatory”.
Another tourist said on social media she was waiting on three QR codes for her group for an early flight the next morning.
Other users have reported issues adding the address of their place of stay to the form, while some have said they filled out multiple forms after being unsure whether the first was submitted.
On a thread of TripAdvisor, one user said: “This must be a massive task. It’s all new and there are bound to be some early glitches.”
The Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection said that those beginning their journey to Greece earlier than 24 hours before entry will be able to show their email confirmation of completing the form instead of the QR code.
The code is based on your country of origin and will inform whether you are able to leave the airport without testing or be kept aside for screening.
The UK Foreign Office said: “You must complete an online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 24 hours before your arrival in Greece. This is a requirement whichever way you travel to Greece (including by ferry, road, rail or air). The form is in English.
“Failure to do so in advance may result in your carrier not allowing you to travel, receipt of a 500 Euro fine from the Greek authorities on arrival, or the Greek authorities not allowing you to enter the country.”
A spokesperson for the Greek tourist board said: "We have no reported issues regarding the PLF form. Perhaps it would be useful to reiterate the way it works. All travellers must complete their PLF until the day before entering the country.
"Travellers will receive a confirmation email upon submission of the PLF. Travellers will receive the PLF with their unique QR code at midnight on the day of their scheduled arrival in Greece. In the rare case when travellers board a flight on the day prior to their arrival, they will be allowed to do so upon showing the confirmation email, since they will receive their QR code during their flight. As soon as they land, they will receive the QR code on their phone/email."
