Crete during Covid!

A few countries had started to open again to holiday makers, and I felt it was important to take a short break overseas to experience Covid procedures at the airport, in flight and in resort for myself to be able to speak and re-assure those clients who were booked to travel imminently and those considering travelling.

Manchester Airport had strict guidelines in place, social distancing had to be adhered to throughout, masks worn by everyone and plenty of hand santising stations were available. Jet2 check in staff were helpful and efficient, checking that passengers had the correct documents for Greece, and tagging luggage. Security was fairly quiet, plenty of staff on hand, social distancing in place, but the same rigorous checks were made – all very smooth and we felt safe throughout. Once airside, all restaurants, cafes, bars and shops were open with the same Covid procedures you would experience if in town.

We flew with Jet2 Airlines, the flight was full, staff re-iterated the masks were compulsory throughout the flight unless eating/drinking. There was no standing in the aisles/no queuing for the loo`s and this was strenuously enforced, with 1 or 2 announcements needing to be made for the odd 1 or 2 that weren`t listening!!

Arrival in Greece was speedy and took no time at all, passports checked first and then a separate area for the QR codes to be checked on our Health forms, nobody was temperature checked and nobody pulled aside for testing. Once collecting luggage we were soon on our way, in a small mini bus rather than the standard 50 seater coach, and arrived quickly in resort. All very easy and not too much difference to travelling under normal circumstances.

Our hotel was a smaller beachfront property, very boutique in style and we`d opted for B & B, to give us flexibility to eat out at restaurants in our resort of Sissi. The room had been thoroughly cleaned/sanitised and sealed for our arrival. It looked and felt spotless and we had a super seaview on the first floor. The cleaners were not allowed to access the rooms, any servicing of rooms had to be pre-booked at reception the day before, which suited us perfectly. In the hotel when inside the main areas we were required to wear masks, but once around the pool, garden or outside areas they could be removed.

Breakfast was buffet service, however to avoid many people at the stations, or handling cutlery – the food was served to you by the waiting staff, I felt this was sensible and most likely beneficial – less food waste and people most likely did not eat as much!! When approaching the buffet stations, masks still needed to be worn, but could be removed once you were seated. I did not see this as an inconvenience. The number of sunbeds around the pool areas and within the gardens had been reduced in numbers to aid social distancing, again not a problem. The sunbeds were disinfected every evening and re-sealed for the following day – if the seal was broken they`d been used by other guests, if the seal was intact they were freshly disinfected – most guests seemed to opt for the same sunbeds every day!

We wandered in to town every day and yes it felt a little quieter than what I would have expected at this time of year, but most restaurants were open and ticking a long nicely with steady streams of clientele. The locals were friendly and pleased to have holiday makers in the resort. The restaurants again followed strict Covid rules, all staff wore masks, reduced table numbers outside, and plenty of hand sanitisers for use. We enjoyed some fantastic well priced meals in a good choice of restaurants, and always felt safe throughout.

Our departure home was as seamless, Heraklion Airport was well organised and quite busy with flights departing to many European destinations, and Covid procedures were in place and again strictly imposed.

We had a fantastic holiday, it seemed miles away from the doom and gloom experienced at home, and I would recommend anyone who was struggling to make up their mind on if/whether to go abroad to not hesitate, it truly felt safer than the UK.