When are the government going to address the elephant in the room?

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Am I the only one who is astounded that absolutely nothing has been said about when foreign travel is going to be allowed? Completely understand that this may be some way down the line but seriously, we have airlines coming out with statements about when they will restart flights, but all the while, the FCO advice remains the same and advises against non-essential travel. I feel like something needs to be said, whether that be no travel for the next 3 months or whatever it might be, which gives people some certainty around what the plan is. And I don't just mean people who want to go on holiday, I also mean all those who work in the travel industry who are worried about their jobs (if they haven't already lost them).

I'm very surprised that this hasn't been addressed yet, quite frankly. Other countries have been very clear on their plans.

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

I agree, but suspect it's down to the typical lack-lustre sluggishness of the government.

[pfrench]

The elephant in the room is that they are not admitting to 60,000 deaths, and keep telling us that we are 'world beating' and it's all been a jolly good success.

[merrymouse]

I think part of the problem is that other countries need to agree to receive travellers from the UK, and that isn't in the control of the UK government.

I think there will also be a bit of international bargaining around this 14 day quarantine rule.

[Plump82]

I agree. There's been so many highs and lows with countries saying they're ready for the holiday season to start, then Spain and. Greece say they won't let us in, the Greece changing its mind. Then all this talk about companies and MPs saying they need to scrap the 14 day quarantine. All these things are all good and well but if the FCO says no to travel then who cares if countries are letting us holiday there.

From a completely selfish point of view, I've paid my holiday off completely. Currently I'm being allowed to reschedule for free but who knows how long they'll let me do that. My works holidays run April to April and looking at the same holiday end of March it's nearly £800 more expensive. Out of season with worse weather!

[PuppyMonkey]

There are so many elephants I couldn’t have guessed which one you were referring to OP.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Haha yes there are lots of other elephants, I guess like many others I have a personal interest in this and I just want someone to tell me what I can and cannot plan!

[Moumia]

They don’t know because other countries are restricting visitors from certain countries like the U.K. so the government could say we can all fly but nobody would let us in.

[CoffeeRunner]

I imagine nothing is being said because they just don’t know yet.

It will depend on other countries rules & restrictions too so could be pretty complicated.

[IAmAClone]

Then there are the vulnerable like me who will not be travelling anywhere until there is a vaccine, so holidays are a thing of the past for me, I think

[Harriett123]

I live in the UK and my family live in Ireland. I highly doubt I will be seeing them this year.

[PatriciaHolm]

I would imagine there is a whole lot of horse trading going on behind the scenes. France has effectively imposed a tit for tat quarantine, and Greece won't accept us at the moment, and the travel industry are lobbying hard for no quarantine at all. So it's still very much in flux, and they can't possibly put any timings in it as it's still likely to change.

[Lilybet1980]

I don’t think it’s as straightforward as announcing a date. Remember it’s less the status of COVID in the UK but more the level of infection/transmission in other countries that will impact this.

It’s really straight forward at the moment because it’s a very clear message to avoid all but essential travel. Once it opens up I doubt it will be a free for all. I think there will still be some destinations where travel is not recommended. Then there are the restrictions that other counties may put on travellers from the UK.

Much as I would love to get a holiday (I’ve missed two already :( ) I almost hope they don’t allow travel this summer. I would want to see testing at the airport and temperature checks before I’ll get on a plane given current levels.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

To be honest I was hellbent on getting a holiday in July (it was booked last year) but right now I just wish they'd cancel til the end of the month. Appreciate it's not straightforward and I hope to god there are conversations going on behind the scenes, but knowing this government I don't really have confidence that they have it under control!

[Drivingdownthe101]

I don’t really think they know. We had flights booked for July to see in laws in Spain, which have been cancelled by the airline. In laws keep telling us to rebook for the same time as Spain are accepting tourists. I don’t see the point when we don’t know if we’ll be allowed to travel then, or what the quarantine rules will be.
I’d rather write it off until next year.

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

"Completely understand that this may be some way down the line but seriously, we have airlines coming out with statements about when they will restart flights, but all the while, the FCO advice remains the same and advises against non-essential travel."
I wouldn't say anything if I was the PM. Every time they announce something taking effect from a future date lots of people start taking bleeding liberties before then.

What is the point? Everyone will only start speculating on the detail if we receive an outline of a plan.

Anyway, the airlines have no idea. They won't be flying people on holiday unless the Govt say it is safe to do so. They should shut up. They are trying to force the Govt's hand. They aren't interested in your safety. Just look at recent pictures in the press. No social distancing on the planes. No masks for passengers.

[Branbleberries]

Who's going to want to travel when it'll probably cost a fortune to get travel insurance, as they're surely all going to put extra clauses in about not covering if you get coronavirus when abroad, or if your trip is cancelled because of coronavirus here, or coronavirus there, or if you choose not to travel because the risks get too high, or they suddenly impose quarantine again, or whatever. The insurance companies will either not cover any of that, or charge a fortune for it.

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

'I just want someone to tell me what I can and cannot plan!"
You cannot plan any future holidays yet. You cannot plan anything except what you are having for dinner this evening.

[Mumratheevergiving]

There's a flipping herd of elephants in No. 10.

[bumblingbovine49]

Who the hell wants to get on a flight to somewhere else at the moment? I would be worried about outbreaks and being quarantined abroad or maybe not being able to leave for ages. We have only just got back a load of people who were trapped abroad after going on holiday in March. That was less than 2 months ago!

Give it some time.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Who the hell wants to get on a flight to somewhere else at the moment? I would be worried about outbreaks and being quarantined abroad or maybe not being able to leave for ages. We have only just got back a load of people who were trapped abroad after going on holiday in March. That was less than 2 months ago!

That's not the point I'm making, and there will be plenty of people getting on a plane as soon as we are allowed. I have a holiday which was booked last year before all this happened. As things stand, my flight is still operating and there is no option for me to amend. I'm not talking about booking a new holiday.

[PasserbyEffect]

@NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite

'I just want someone to tell me what I can and cannot plan!"
You cannot plan any future holidays yet. You cannot plan anything except what you are having for dinner this evening.

It sucks, doesn't it? Such complete lack of control on our lives is devastating for mental health. And uncertainty is generally much more stressful than certainty. The whole thing has been completely mishandled from a PR and MH perspective.

[peoplepleaser1]

AT a time when no one really knows which way the infection rate is going to go holidays and travel are low on the list of priorities for most people.

The most worrying aspect of this has to be the affect on the travel industry and people's jobs- but they aren't alone in this and there are hundreds of industries in danger at the moment, so no reason to bail this one out over the others.

We can't decide how to educate our children, treat cancer sufferers, get people to work in a bus so how can plans for the travel industry possibly be made?

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Sorry but I'm sick of 'suck it up' type comments like the previous post. I'm well aware of everything else which is going on, but I'm not the only one by any means to whom holidays are important.