PEOPLE from the UK are “unlikely” to be allowed into Greece when the country reopens to tourists next month.

Greece’s tourism minister Haris Theoharis said that the UK’s coronavirus record is not good enough for it to be featured on a “whitelist” of nations whose residents can travel to the country.

The list is set to be announced before the end of May, and will be based on “epidemiological criteria” decided by a committee of experts.

In Greece there have been just 166 deaths and 2850 confirmed coronavirus cases across its population of nearly 11 million people. Meanwhile, the UK has seen at least 36,000 deaths and a quarter of a million cases.

Asked if the UK would feature on Greece’s whitelist, Theoharis said: I think that the UK has a big difference in terms of the current medical status of the country with Greece, so I don’t think it’s likely it will be there.”

He explained the UK’s figures would need to improve for that to be possible.

Holidaymakers from Balkan and Baltic countries, Germany, Israel and Cyprus are expected to be the first groups allowed to visit Greece from July 1.