'Travelling to Greece, it felt like business as usual'

My driver, Stefanos, was busily chatting away, telling me about what Corfiots get up to in their spare time.

His warmth typified Greek hospitality. Everything seemed so normal, except he and I wore masks. This was the new reality of travelling.

I joined Sunvil earlier this week (20 July) on its first charter flight to Corfu since Greece reopened its borders to UK visitors on 15 July. My aim was to experience what a holiday there is like in the so-called "new normal".

Aside from the tell-tale signs the world is recovering from a pandemic – signage telling you to wash your hands and keep a safe distance, sanitiser stations at every turn, restaurant and bar staff wearing plastic face shields – it felt like business as usual.

My studio in Kalami Bay on Corfu’s north-east coast afforded great views of the sea. The apartment also contained a new pair of cotton masks, a 100ml bottle of sanitiser and antibacterial wipes.

And there was a poster outlining what happens in the event a guest shows coronavirus symptoms, with an emergency medical kit comprising a thermometer, mask, gown, gloves, antibacterial wipes and paracetamol.