Now Croatia could be placed on the Government's quarantine 'red list' as coronavirus cases soar

Croatia passed the Government's travel quarantine threshold on Sunday, sparking fears it would soon be added to the UK’s 'red list' of nations.

Coronavirus cases in the popular summer-holiday destination rose above the Government’s yardstick of 20 per 100,000 people on Sunday.

Paul Charles, the chief executive of the PC Agency travel consultancy, said that the Balkan nation was the only country “really at risk” of being struck by quarantine-free travel this week after it's incidence level rose to 21.5.

The country has registered 151 new cases in the past 24 hours and it is believed that numbers are rising a result of relaxed restrictions on nightlife in the country, with two thirds of new infections stemming from bars and nightclubs that remain open late.

Last week the Croatian government passed new measures to restrict the working hours of bars and nightclubs to midnight in response.

Travel industry experts estimate there are around 20,000 British holidaymakers in the country who could face a last-minute dash home if the Government changes its status.

Meanwhile there were fears that Greece could also see quarantine measures introduced, after a recent rise in new infections.

As of Saturday, the number of cases in Greece hit 6,858, with new 251 cases reported, compared to a daily peak of 156 during the height of the European epidemic in April.

Holidaymakers have been warned away from booking DIY trips to Greece, as the Athens government's rules mean refunds will take 18 months if it is added to the 'red list'.

British tourists have clamoured to book holidays to Greece after both Spain and France were added to the Government’s quarantine list.

Travelsupermarket, the holiday price-comparison website, said that three of the top five most-booked destinations for packaged holidays in the past week were in Greece.

However, should the country be subjected to quarantine restrictions consumer experts have warned those who booked hotels directly could be left waiting for more than a year to get their cash back.

The Greek government changed the rules in April so that hotels, travel agencies and ferry companies can offer vouchers instead of cash, with refunds only being paid if they are unused after 18 months.

Those who booked a package holiday which was cancelled by the operator would be unaffected, travel experts said.

Consumer advice magazine Which? travel editor Rory Boland said on Twitter: “There is lots of advice for holidaymakers to now book Italy or Greece, instead of France, but my view is it’s too risky unless you’re able to quarantine on return.

“The situation can worsen in just a few days, and the Government doesn’t give enough notice on changes to the corridor list.”

Mr Boland told The Telegraph that holidaymakers need flexibility as last-minute changes to plans have become commonplace.

“This is further evidence that it is too risky to book DIY holidays at the moment. Those planning a trip should instead book a package holiday, with a trusted firm,” he said.

However, travel industry expert Mr Charles, who correctly predicted the outcome of France, Malta and the Netherlands, believes Greece will not be struck from the Government's "safe list" any time soon.

He said: “Greece is not going to join the quarantine list yet. As of Sunday it had 13.4 cases per 100,000 so it’s a long way off.”

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said that any country recording above 20 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people in a week could “trigger” the introduction of quarantine measures.

Mr Paul said that by this admission the Government had essentially created a coronavirus “league table” which “doesn't help to reassure consumers”.

There were also concerns that Turkey could see its quarantine status removed, after the country recorded its highest daily number of cases since June, with 1,256 positive tests and 21 deaths in the past 24 hours.

Amid rising speculation, there were renewed calls for the Government to consider alternative measures to a blanket quarantine.

One Tory MP said the Government's handling of "air corridors" had reignited concerns on the backbenchers that "in a lot of instances we seem to be getting a lot of this quite wrong".

"I don't understand why we can't just implement a system similar to many other countries which test or take temperatures.

"There is a lot of rhetoric about 'world beating this and that' but I think a lot of people would be content if they just did things competently."