A host of travel warnings have been issued by the Foreign Office for those travelling to the countries including France, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece.
Millions of Scots fly across the world every year to get some much needed rest and relaxation in foreign destinations, with many of these holidays causing no issue.
However, the Foreign Office has issued additional information on issues like strikes, coronavirus updates, and keeping safe during natural disasters. Just recently, Denmark have stressed their law on the prohibition of wearing a face covering in public, unless it serves a 'worthy purpose' - for example, health reasons.
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Cyprus updated travel warning due to safety issues
The Foreign Office has been issued advice explaining that the authorities in north Cyprus do not share information regarding British nationals in distress.
The Foreign Office said: "The authorities in north Cyprus do not share information regarding British nationals in distress with the British High Commission, or the families affected.
"Even when the High Commission is aware of a British national in distress, the authorities in the north will not share information about their location, wellbeing or treatment."
They added: "British nationals travelling to the north of Cyprus are more vulnerable and at greater risk."
Cyprus is a full member of the European Union, but the Republic of Cyprus remains divided by the Green Line. This means that the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' is not recognised by the UK Government.
Therefore, the northern Cyprus authorities do not act on British instruments of court, and refuse to share information with the British High Commission on minors who are subject to UK court orders.
This means the UK Foreign Office is unable to ensure that these minors are properly safeguarded. The Government has advised that holidaymakers check the entry requirements for Cyprus, to ensure safety before they travel.
The Government added: "If you plan to pass through another country on your journey, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting."
France updated travel warning due to strikes
The UK Government issued a warning to holidaymakers heading to France in the coming weeks, due to mass strike action on March 7. This industrial action may impact tourism and could cancel incoming or outgoing flights.
Eight unions are set to strike in March, with public transport in the country set to take a massive hit. Unions are hoping that the strike on March 7 will bring them further forward with the argument against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform.
The planned walkouts mean that the Foreign Office has been forced to issue a warning to travellers looking to fly near or around March 7.
A statement said: "Several unions have called for cross-sector strike action and demonstrations across France on Tuesday 7 March. Industrial action may start the evening before a strike day and run until the morning after.
“Localised or sector-specific strikes could also occur outside these dates.
“Industrial action may lead to disruption to services. Please check the latest advice with operators before travelling, avoid demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.”
Greece updated travel warning due to strikes and crime
The Foreign Office has issued additional information on strikes in Greece, updates Covid rules, and staying safe within the country.
In terms of industrial action, the Foreign Office noted that regular strikes are often called at short notice within Greece, and can cause disruption to public transport, borders, air and sea travel.
Demonstrations can be called at short notice, but there are certain dates on which demonstrations traditionally occur: May 1, November 17, and December 6.
And in new statistics delivered by the Foreign Office, 33 cases of rape and sexual assaults in Greece were reported to British consular staff in 2022.
A statement read: "We also saw a small number of other personal attacks reported, and in some cases the alleged attackers were also British nationals.
"We recommend that all travellers take note of the following the advice saving the location of your accommodation on your maps app, so it’s easier to find at the end of the night; setting up a WhatsApp group to keep in touch with each other; keeping an eye on each other’s drinks to make sure they don’t get spiked; not letting a friend walk back to their hotel alone; not giving a drunk person more alcohol."
And it is also mandatory in Greece to wear a mask on all public transport and places like hospitals and elderly care facilities. It is also advised to wear a mask in pharmacies.
If you test positive for COVID-19 while in Greece you must self-isolate for five days from the date of the positive test result. You may leave self-isolation after five days if you have not had a fever in the past 24 hours, otherwise you should continue to self-isolate.
There is an exception for tourists leaving Greece to return home. You may leave self-isolation before the end of the five day isolation period in order to travel back to your country of origin, provided you wear a high protection mask and do not have a fever.
Turkey updated travel warning due to natural disasters
The Foreign Office updated their travel advice for those heading to Turkey, due to a massive earthquake hitting the southern part of the country in February.
An update to the Foreign Office website read: "A 7.8 earthquake hit Gaziantep and neighbouring provinces in the south east of Turkey on 6 February 2023. On the same day a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the neighbouring province of Kahramanmaras.
"There have been several strong after-shocks. If you are in Turkey or planning to travel there you should follow the information and advice from local authorities/your tour operator.
"If you're in the Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras or neighbouring provinces and it is safe to do so, contact your friends and family to tell them you are safe."
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