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Original poster

Anyone on the run from Verbier? Want to post a real-time outlaw story?

132 replies

miimblemomble · 28/12/2020 09:42

I’m not much for shock and horror at rule breakers because... people. But the story of 250+ British tourists on the run from being quarantined in Verbier has rather piqued my interest. www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/27/hundreds-uk-tourists-flee-covid-quarantine-swiss-ski-resort-verbier?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I’m guessing that the overlap of mumsnet posters and ski tourists is not insignificant: anyone want to tell us how your daring escape is going? And why you thought it was okay to fly to Switzerland for two weeks skiing in the middle of a pandemic?

OP posts:
MispyM · 28/12/2020 20:04

Switzerland is still open for international skiers!

True. But most people in Switzerland honestly don't want them here during a pandemic.

Source: am in Switzerland.

MispyM · 28/12/2020 20:06

I feel I've missed something reading this story - they didn't do anything wrong by going, but once there give the latest news about the 'English virus' a retrospective quarantine order was put in place meaning that rather than get their week on the slopes they'd have to spend it in their hotel room?

Yes.

murbblurb · 28/12/2020 20:24

LOVE the chalet school spoofs. Genius!

anyone who hasn't yet worked out that trips abroad can go tits-up at a moments notice is too stupid to be allowed to leave the house. It's been the case for months and I'm afraid I have no sympathy at all.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
itsgettingweird · 28/12/2020 20:31

When I first read this story I imagined a modern day Sound of music but with salapette clad skiers and a rather larger group Grin

So yes it may make a great film. Maybe a musical? What songs could we use?

Stinkywizzleteets · 28/12/2020 20:31

For all I’m angered at the sheer cheek and entitlement of those in quarantine escaping, the image of a couple of hundred bunch of toffs doing a moonlight bunk doesn’t half entertain me. Some in the dirty laundry baskets, others under the room service trolly, a couple in the bins, some putting their kinky maids outfit to use, some chameleon like blending in with the carpet & wallpaper...

samG76 · 28/12/2020 21:00

In fairness, the Swiss imposed a retrospective quarantine and barred people from leaving their hotel rooms. The local head of tourism said that trapping an entire family in a 20 sqm hotel room for 10 days, on pain of a CHF 10,000 fine probably wasn't a great idea. What were they supposed to do for food if they were staying in a B&B? I would have scarpered in that position.

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/12/2020 21:02

Here goes @Witchend

Ivan Petrovitch (Petri to his friends, Ivan to his wife, Petrovitch randomly in this book) buttoned his coat. His brother Stefan Petrovitch (Petrov to his friends, Stefan to his wife, Petrovitch randomly in this book) looked on. "It is time brother" Petrovitch said. "Yes brother, let us away" said Petrovitch. Their father Pietr Ivanovitch (Ivan to his friends, Pietr to his wife, Ivanovitch in this book, sometimes but you know... who knows when) had commanded them to scale the Alps in the winter snow. Wind shook the walls of the chalet, and the tiles of the roof rattled in the cold wind. Ivanovitch (who I've not decided also has a nickname Vlad) was a cruel man, absent from the lives of his sons. The only thing he cared for was money and the skiing that money afforded him.

[Five paragraphs about snow and ice]

"Are we to away Petri?" "It is time Ivan, fetch the carriage". "Pack it with sweets, champagne and meats, Petri". ""Where is the money to come from? Papa has said you are to be cut off."

[Fifty pages later]

The horses were whipped into action. "To France" said Vlad. The red, pinched faces of the villagers looked at at them.

It's the best I can do. Poor, boring Dostoyevsky.

samG76 · 28/12/2020 21:04

I know some people who left, but it wasn't as reported. They checked out normally and even got a lift to the station. The owners were pleased to see the back of them because otherwise it would have caused problems for their New Year bookings. I don't understand what they were supposed to do when their booking ran out but quarantine still applied.

MispyM · 28/12/2020 21:08

In fairness, the Swiss imposed a retrospective quarantine and barred people from leaving their hotel rooms.

I personally do not see the problem with the quarantine. I think we've all come to understand that every plan, celebration etc can be shat on by the pandemic.

The food really wouldn't be an issue, btw.

Anyhow. I just hope it keeps people away for the rest of the winter... (not particularly likely, unfortunately.)

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 28/12/2020 21:11

@MrsTerryPratchett

Here goes *@Witchend*

Ivan Petrovitch (Petri to his friends, Ivan to his wife, Petrovitch randomly in this book) buttoned his coat. His brother Stefan Petrovitch (Petrov to his friends, Stefan to his wife, Petrovitch randomly in this book) looked on. "It is time brother" Petrovitch said. "Yes brother, let us away" said Petrovitch. Their father Pietr Ivanovitch (Ivan to his friends, Pietr to his wife, Ivanovitch in this book, sometimes but you know... who knows when) had commanded them to scale the Alps in the winter snow. Wind shook the walls of the chalet, and the tiles of the roof rattled in the cold wind. Ivanovitch (who I've not decided also has a nickname Vlad) was a cruel man, absent from the lives of his sons. The only thing he cared for was money and the skiing that money afforded him.

[Five paragraphs about snow and ice]

"Are we to away Petri?" "It is time Ivan, fetch the carriage". "Pack it with sweets, champagne and meats, Petri". ""Where is the money to come from? Papa has said you are to be cut off."

[Fifty pages later]

The horses were whipped into action. "To France" said Vlad. The red, pinched faces of the villagers looked at at them.

It's the best I can do. Poor, boring Dostoyevsky.

Very good...or at least it sounds good 😀
BillLius · 28/12/2020 21:20

Anyone seen this on Twitter? One of the escapees is a massive Brexiteer.

Anyone on the run from Verbier? Want to post a real-time outlaw story?
MispyM · 28/12/2020 21:22

BillLius

Well, no wonder he enjoys (no, enjoyed) Switzerland, I suppose.

Miljea · 28/12/2020 21:31

@samG76

In fairness, the Swiss imposed a retrospective quarantine and barred people from leaving their hotel rooms. The local head of tourism said that trapping an entire family in a 20 sqm hotel room for 10 days, on pain of a CHF 10,000 fine probably wasn't a great idea. What were they supposed to do for food if they were staying in a B&B? I would have scarpered in that position.
Me, too.
AdoraBell · 28/12/2020 21:36

A friend of ours went to Austria in February and came back with COVID-19. Anyone going on holiday now should prepare to be quarantine either in place or back home unfortunately.

Witchend · 28/12/2020 21:57

@MrsTerryPratchett

Here goes *@Witchend*

Ivan Petrovitch (Petri to his friends, Ivan to his wife, Petrovitch randomly in this book) buttoned his coat. His brother Stefan Petrovitch (Petrov to his friends, Stefan to his wife, Petrovitch randomly in this book) looked on. "It is time brother" Petrovitch said. "Yes brother, let us away" said Petrovitch. Their father Pietr Ivanovitch (Ivan to his friends, Pietr to his wife, Ivanovitch in this book, sometimes but you know... who knows when) had commanded them to scale the Alps in the winter snow. Wind shook the walls of the chalet, and the tiles of the roof rattled in the cold wind. Ivanovitch (who I've not decided also has a nickname Vlad) was a cruel man, absent from the lives of his sons. The only thing he cared for was money and the skiing that money afforded him.

[Five paragraphs about snow and ice]

"Are we to away Petri?" "It is time Ivan, fetch the carriage". "Pack it with sweets, champagne and meats, Petri". ""Where is the money to come from? Papa has said you are to be cut off."

[Fifty pages later]

The horses were whipped into action. "To France" said Vlad. The red, pinched faces of the villagers looked at at them.

It's the best I can do. Poor, boring Dostoyevsky.

🤣🤣🤣 That's about my memory of the book too.
QueenOfTheDoubleWide · 28/12/2020 21:59

@BillLius

Anyone seen this on Twitter? One of the escapees is a massive Brexiteer.
I don't read that as Arron Banks was an escapee, is that what you are claiming? I read that just as him telling the journalist that they are incorrect.

Either way not sure why Brexit should come into it?

MrsMiaWallis · 28/12/2020 22:03

Loads of dds friends have gone skiing. And several have had big joint 18th birthday parties. They are rich and don't give a shit. It's fucking annoying.

MrsMiaWallis · 28/12/2020 22:05

To be fair, I would have absolutely done a runner if I was in their position

BillLius · 28/12/2020 22:15

Andy Wigmore was the skier. I don’t know why Arron Banks wants to sue The Guardian

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/12/2020 22:26

@BillLius

Andy Wigmore was the skier. I don’t know why Arron Banks wants to sue The Guardian
Because he's a tw... oops, never mind.
GiantKitten · 28/12/2020 22:27

@BillLius

Andy Wigmore was the skier. I don’t know why Arron Banks wants to sue The Guardian
Not the Guardian, Carole Cadwalladr. There’s a very personal vendetta against her from those oafs.
Lochroy · 28/12/2020 22:30

Now I'm confused!

Arthersleep · 28/12/2020 22:37

@TheVanguardSix

We need a Playmobil Pandemic in Verbier thread.

That would be AMAZING!! YES!

Trenisenne · 28/12/2020 23:04

@MispyM

Switzerland is still open for international skiers!

True. But most people in Switzerland honestly don't want them here during a pandemic.

Source: am in Switzerland.

Yes, this. I wish they had kept it open for residents only. That would have been difficult enough to manage, but possible, I think.
Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 28/12/2020 23:07

I hope they are caught and have to face the consequences

I'm sick of selfish overprivileged people who think the rules don't apply to them

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