Covid and travel discussion

[RobMCFC]

As predicted by several on here weeks ago, foreign holidays will go ahead with some restrictions.

Still can't believe all the negativity and demonising from some on here who believe that to venture abroad is to become the devil incarnate. I wonder how people would feel if the government started to use a passport system for any indoor entertainment in the UK (which I think they should because I reckon it would save more lives than restricting travel).

I'd much rather go for a nice break to Spain than step into a crowded, sweaty pub that will cause far more infections.
We're not travelling until both the kids (adults) have had the first jab, which I think is the sensible approach. Obviously we wouldn't travel to anywhere with high rates and dangerous variants (so Kent and Bristol are out), but I don't see the problem with travel to an from countries with comparable rates to the UK.

I think that most of Europe will be amber for the summer, possibly green if low infections/high vaccination rate - I reckon that they are saving the "red" for countries that have a known new and potentially dangerous variant, which is the right approach.

 

[lancs blue]

If amber means the holiday goes ahead then that potentially leaves to some difficult decisions.

I would think amber essentially means "go at your own risk", if domestic restrictions have been largely lifted I think travel companies will be less inclined to cancel packages/flights to those countries.

 

[paulchapo]

As predicted by several on here weeks ago, foreign holidays will go ahead with some restrictions.

Still can't believe all the negativity and demonising from some on here who believe that to venture abroad is to become the devil incarnate. I wonder how people would feel if the government started to use a passport system for any indoor entertainment in the UK (which I think they should because I reckon it would save more lives than restricting travel).

I'd much rather go for a nice break to Spain than step into a crowded, sweaty pub that will cause far more infections.
We're not travelling until both the kids (adults) have had the first jab, which I think is the sensible approach. Obviously we wouldn't travel to anywhere with high rates and dangerous variants (so Kent and Bristol are out), but I don't see the problem with travel to an from countries with comparable rates to the UK.

I think that most of Europe will be amber for the summer, possibly green if low infections/high vaccination rate - I reckon that they are saving the "red" for countries that have a known new and potentially dangerous variant, which is the right approach.

The problem you've got is a lot of countries aren't letting Brits in at the moment. Spain are in a mess even in the safer Balearic Islands with curfews and mask wearing everywhere, now even on the beach. I got away to Tenerife last summer and I had a great time in spite of lots of places being closed and restrictions in place. Just before I came home though overnight they enforced mask wearing outdoors as well as indoors. This was a killer, you go away for the weather, to walk, fresh air, the sun. Walking about in 30+ degrees in a mask was awful. Until things improve there I wouldn't dream of going back even if it was allowed, and I'm itching to get out there.

Countries with low rates and very few restrictions I would consider if the price isn't extortionate. I do have a couple of short lodge holidays in this country booked for May and June if they go ahead but these are to spend quieter times with family. I could do with a good hot dancing on tables one abroad too but may have to wait a bit longer.

 

[RobMCFC]

The problem you've got is a lot of countries aren't letting Brits in at the moment. Spain are in a mess even in the safer Balearic Islands with curfews and mask wearing everywhere, now even on the beach. I got away to Tenerife last summer and I had a great time in spite of lots of places being closed and restrictions in place. Just before I came home though overnight they enforced mask wearing outdoors as well as indoors. This was a killer, you go away for the weather, to walk, fresh air, the sun. Walking about in 30+ degrees in a mask was awful. Until things improve there I wouldn't dream of going back even if it was allowed, and I'm itching to get out there.

Countries with low rates and very few restrictions I would consider if the price isn't extortionate. I do have a couple of short lodge holidays in this country booked for May and June if they go ahead but these are to spend quieter times with family. I could do with a good hot dancing on tables one abroad too but may have to wait a bit longer.

Yeah, I've got a few lodge breaks booked in the UK but also hope to get to Spain in August. As previously mentioned, my eldest daughter is due to study in Madrid from September so we are having a combined holiday/drop-off.

I wouldn't say Spain are in a mess - like most European countries, they are struggling with vaccinations but along with Portugal, their case rates are similar to the UK.

I know some people don't like them, but I don't have a problem with masks. We used them at Disneyland Paris last summer and it was the 30 degree weekend. If I can march round there all day, I'm sure we'll be fine around the pool in Spain.

Masks are going to be with us for a long time yet - probably the next couple of years at least I reckon.

 

[paulchapo]

Yeah, I've got a few lodge breaks booked in the UK but also hope to get to Spain in August. As previously mentioned, my eldest daughter is due to study in Madrid from September so we are having a combined holiday/drop-off.

I wouldn't say Spain are in a mess - like most European countries, they are struggling with vaccinations but along with Portugal, their case rates are similar to the UK.

I know some people don't like them, but I don't have a problem with masks. We used them at Disneyland Paris last summer and it was the 30 degree weekend. If I can march round there all day, I'm sure we'll be fine around the pool in Spain.

Masks are going to be with us for a long time yet - probably the next couple of years at least I reckon.

How can you enjoy a holiday in the sun wearing a mask outside? Breathing is awful in the heat and you end up with s big white patch on your face where the mask has been lol.

 

[shackattack]

Masks are a small price to pay realistically and like Asia am sure they will be the normal. If we can't eradicate it then we need to somehow learn to live with it.

 

[inbetween]

As predicted by several on here weeks ago, foreign holidays will go ahead with some restrictions.

Still can't believe all the negativity and demonising from some on here who believe that to venture abroad is to become the devil incarnate. I wonder how people would feel if the government started to use a passport system for any indoor entertainment in the UK (which I think they should because I reckon it would save more lives than restricting travel).

I'd much rather go for a nice break to Spain than step into a crowded, sweaty pub that will cause far more infections.
We're not travelling until both the kids (adults) have had the first jab, which I think is the sensible approach. Obviously we wouldn't travel to anywhere with high rates and dangerous variants (so Kent and Bristol are out), but I don't see the problem with travel to an from countries with comparable rates to the UK.

I think that most of Europe will be amber for the summer, possibly green if low infections/high vaccination rate - I reckon that they are saving the "red" for countries that have a known new and potentially dangerous variant, which is the right approach.

Travel will be extremely safe because you won't be able to travel until having at least 2 COVID tests (either side) and then you'll probably need a vaccine passport which as much as some oppose may be inevitable because other countries may demand them.

Considering the above and considering a decent 3 star in Cornwall is £2k for a week in September, I'll be going abroad if I can. The US or caribbean is looking the best prospect.

 

[RobMCFC]

How can you enjoy a holiday in the sun wearing a mask outside? Breathing is awful in the heat and you end up with s big white patch on your face where the mask has been lol.

Better than hanging around the UK. Like I said, I didn't feel like breathing was an issue last year and that was marching around Disneyland Paris in 30 degree heat. I understand that it could be for some people though.

 

[paulchapo]

Better than hanging around the UK. Like I said, I didn't feel like breathing was an issue last year and that was marching around Disneyland Paris in 30 degree heat. I understand that it could be for some people though.

Each to their own mate, enjoy if you get there, I hope I'm out there soon too.

 

[mr t]

Moving forwards I can see international travel becoming very expensive and far from the norm we have all become used to. Pre and post flight COVID-19 tests, quarantine hotels etc all come at a price.

 

[KPXBLN]

Travel will be extremely safe because you won't be able to travel until having at least 2 COVID tests (either side) and then you'll probably need a vaccine passport which as much as some oppose may be inevitable because other countries may demand them.

Considering the above and considering a decent 3 star in Cornwall is £2k for a week in September, I'll be going abroad if I can. The US or caribbean is looking the best prospect.

You can't currently enter the US as a tourist from the UK, FYI. You need to have US citizenship or residence, or be a close family member of a citizen/resident. (I looked into it myself just yesterday hence knowing about it - though fortunately for me my wife is American).

 

[shackattack]

A report yesterday from border controls in UK stated that around 8 thousand people a day are entering the UK as tourists. Yet we can't travel in the UK overnight ourselves at moment.

 

[MelbourneBlue]

FWIW.....

Australians will be allowed to travel to New Zealand quarantine-free technically from 11:59pm on Sunday, April 18 New Zealand time, so really from Monday, April 19.

As for kiwis looking to come to Australia, the one-way bubble that began last October is still in place, with all states and territories except for Western Australia taking part.

Like New Zealanders coming to Australia, anyone flying into NZ will go through a "green zone" in airports and will be kept separate from other people flying in from around the world.

 

[xgorton]

FWIW.....

Australians will be allowed to travel to New Zealand quarantine-free technically from 11:59pm on Sunday, April 18 New Zealand time, so really from Monday, April 19.

As for kiwis looking to come to Australia, the one-way bubble that began last October is still in place, with all states and territories except for Western Australia taking part.

Like New Zealanders coming to Australia, anyone flying into NZ will go through a "green zone" in airports and will be kept separate from other people flying in from around the world.

Don't think you will be up at 5am for the game will you ?

 

[Manchester1894]

Moving forwards I can see international travel becoming very expensive and far from the norm we have all become used to. Pre and post flight COVID-19 tests, quarantine hotels etc all come at a price.

We've already factored in £400 for testing outbound. On return it's isolate or test to release earlier.

 

[Gaylord du Bois]

A report yesterday from border controls in UK stated that around 8 thousand people a day are entering the UK as tourists. Yet we can't travel in the UK overnight ourselves at moment.

8,000 foreign tourists believed to be coming into UK every day

Hundreds arriving on Home Office issued holiday visas, according to Border Force staff member

www.google.com

"Under current rules, people travelling to England must present a negative Covid test taken no more than three days before departure, and either quarantine in the place where they are staying or in a managed quarantine hotel facility for 10 days, depending on where they have come from.

People who have been to a "red-list" of 39 countries in the previous 10 days are banned from entering the country."

 

[Protein Junkie]

Moving forwards I can see international travel becoming very expensive and far from the norm we have all become used to. Pre and post flight COVID-19 tests, quarantine hotels etc all come at a price.

Demand and supply as you probably know.
Prices may well shoot up if the demand is there but not guaranteed.
On a different note it’s interesting to follow the two sides of the should we travel debate.

 

[feedthegoat27]

Demand and supply as you probably know.
Prices may well shoot up if the demand is there but not guaranteed.
On a different note it’s interesting to follow the two sides of the should we travel debate.

Seems the lateral flow tests are likely to be accepted for travel this summer, which I understand are much cheaper and quicker than PCR.
Be a big result if that does materialise and could be the difference between some people deciding to go abroad or not.

Having said that, I believe PCR tests abroad are pretty reasonably priced, it's just here in the UK where they shaft us for £150 a pop.

I think the debate is pretty interesting, though in reality should there even be a debate?
People on here talking about heading abroad and looking forward to foreign holidays (myself included) aren't talking about jetting off tomorrow; it'll be when international travel is permitted by the Government and likely to only destinations deemed as 'green' or maybe 'amber'.

People who are staying at home this year....that's cool, but why some feel the need to have a superiority complex or try and shame people into copying them is beyond me. Not everyone wants to holiday at home.

As I've always said; if you wanna stay home then fill your boots, if you wanna head abroad when permitted then fill your boots.

I'm firmly in the latter camp and make no apologies for that.

 

[shackattack]

I think if people wish to travel and it is safe to do so then let them. If people want to stay in the uk and holiday then that's their choice also. It will change so many times possibly over the course of time that no one knows the answer. Personally I felt safer outside the UK than I have within it. Our border control in November was farcical with no one at Gatwick checking anything on my return. We appear to have improved generally and you can only applaud the way the vaccine has bee

Seems the lateral flow tests are likely to be accepted for travel this summer, which I understand are much cheaper and quicker than PCR.
Be a big result if that does materialise and could be the difference between some people deciding to go abroad or not.

Having said that, I believe PCR tests abroad are pretty reasonably priced, it's just here in the UK where they shaft us for £150 a pop.

I think the debate is pretty interesting, though in reality should there even be a debate?
People on here talking about heading abroad and looking forward to foreign holidays (myself included) aren't talking about jetting off tomorrow; it'll be when international travel is permitted by the Government and likely to only destinations deemed as 'green' or maybe 'amber'.

People who are staying at home this year....that's cool, but why some feel the need to have a superiority complex or try and shame people into copying them is beyond me. Not everyone wants to holiday at home.

As I've always said; if you wanna stay home then fill your boots, if you wanna head abroad when permitted then fill your boots.

I'm firmly in the latter camp and make no apologies for that.

I went abroad last November and aim to do so again if safe to do so. I have lived in a lot of lovely areas of the uk and it has some lovely areas. But 2 weeks in November is not my idea of fun. And the cost is astronomical to travel here on public transport. I see no difference in 4 hours on a plane to 4 hours on train and tube journeys here. I guess the difference is returning to the UK but that's a risk I am prepared to take.

 

[Protein Junkie]

Seems the lateral flow tests are likely to be accepted for travel this summer, which I understand are much cheaper and quicker than PCR.
Be a big result if that does materialise and could be the difference between some people deciding to go abroad or not.

Having said that, I believe PCR tests abroad are pretty reasonably priced, it's just here in the UK where they shaft us for £150 a pop.

I think the debate is pretty interesting, though in reality should there even be a debate?
People on here talking about heading abroad and looking forward to foreign holidays (myself included) aren't talking about jetting off tomorrow; it'll be when international travel is permitted by the Government and likely to only destinations deemed as 'green' or maybe 'amber'.

People who are staying at home this year....that's cool, but why some feel the need to have a superiority complex or try and shame people into copying them is beyond me. Not everyone wants to holiday at home.

As I've always said; if you wanna stay home then fill your boots, if you wanna head abroad when permitted then fill your boots.

I'm firmly in the latter camp and make no apologies for that.

I’m with you on the travel abroad and hope to do so this October.
Sometimes I think the superiority complex is the old colonial hangover.
When I went to Italy last August I was told by many about catching Covid there. Italy’s figures were way below the Uk at the time. They were very strict on rules out there and as for planes being a hatch for Covid well ? Can only possibly happen if it’s carried on the plane.