To think it’s dumb that international holidays are being encouraged in the middle of a pandemic

[Redolent]

AIBU to think is probably the part of the coronavirus pandemic that will lead to WTF reactions in future history books? A world clinging desperately to its globalized ways and unwilling to countenance altering them even in the midst of a crisis like this.

European countries have just gone through months of brutal economic and social lockdowns, with the goal of suppressing the virus. They’ve just experienced, at a huge cost, what it’s like to have the virus slowly and imperceptibly land within their borders via air travel.

And yet, just as the virus starts circulating at low levels, they all decide to open up their borders to each other again, in these supposedly safe ‘air corridors’. Enroute to their destinations, their citizens flock to public transport, then to busy airports and planes, where they sit for hours in the midst of other passengers, then on to their destinations, where they mix with other citizens coming in from all over the world too, in social and alcohol-fuelled conditions. In the meantime, governments - like the UK - have vowed that any outbreaks in other countries will mean that returning tourists may have to suddenly quarantine for two weeks upon their return home. It’s a panicked and volatile strategy, subject to a monitoring of the spread of the virus in multiple other countries. Of course it’s bound to go wrong.

TLDR: close the borders. Internationalism can wait.

There won't be anyone flying to Australia on holiday till at least Christmas if even then. Qantas have just announced they won't have a full international service till at least July 2021. I am in WA and we aren't allowed to travel interstate yet and we are closed to all of the other states. As a result we are pretty much back to normal. The state government is running a huge campaign to encourage people to explore their own state. The scary bit for me is I don't know when I will see my family again. I don't think my parents will be able to come for the annual trip this year.

I'm torn, on the one hand is seems like utter madness but on the other hand how long do we all sit tight for? 🤷

I'm assuming the government modeling is reliant on many of us who have too much sense to go. If we all decided to go, it will be catastrophic it probably will be anyway

Bonkers. If people are in the unenviable position of having followed advice and paid the full balance on trips booked last year then I get it. I would be torn too That's us, although not quite 100% yet. Most of it is non cancelable.
I dare say that if you have enough money to afford a nice big villa with its own pool located in a scenic fishing village, the holiday could be relatively safe. That's us too.

But we still don't want to go and not only endanger ourselves but also contribute to a second wave.

It's worrying how many will.

hulahooper2: Most travel insurance policies won’t cover Covid so what happens if you contract it abroad ?

You have to look at the policies of the country you are planning to visit, just as you always have. Just for instance, my home country (Scotland) and my country of residence (Poland) both treat anyone with COVID symptoms regardless of their citizenship/residency status.

If you are travelling within the EU, best to get an EHIC card, which you are still entitled to until EU citizens' rights run out for British citizen on 31/12/2020.

@Midrangecolours

I'm torn, on the one hand is seems like utter madness but on the other hand how long do we all sit tight for? 🤷

Sitting tight is not a bad thing.

We have become far too used to hopping all around the globe and some feel aggrieved that they cannot do so now as easily.

This pandemic traversed the world in a matter of weeks because of International travel. It could easily do so again, that is MY concern.

Yes flights have been coming in to the UK from all over, but as I understand it, they are repatriations and compassionate mostly. The numbers coming in are NOTHING like pre Covid days.

I'm not going anywhere abroad this year. My choice my money lost. Hopefully that will help lessen the spread.

I'm in two minds. DS works for an airline and has been laid off until next month (initially furloughed before his employer realised the rules were changed when they moved the eligibility dates). He is sick of not earning, and is itching to get back to work. But I am worried about him because he is asthmatic and I lost his dad last year so would really struggle if he caught the virus and was seriously sick. I know the economy needs to function and he wouldn't thank me for worrying though. It is a hard one for me.

Having so many families separated by closed borders is just cruel, for no discernible covid reduction benefit.

I would travel in a flash to see my family. If other people don't want to, they don't have to. But it's just uncaring to ignore the heartache of those who are separated.

I cannot comprehend how in the middle of a pandemic people can be so thick to think that it's ok to go on holiday.

Perhaps some countries can’t afford to keep tourists away? Doesn’t that occur to you? The virus isn’t going to disappear and perhaps governments are realising that we’re going to have to live with it as lockdown is unaffordable.

No one is being frogmarched onto planes, and no ‘rules’ are being broken.

I don't think it's a smart idea to go on holiday this summer, no.

Soon I'm moving to the antipodes to escape coronavirus, and I am sure I'll find the whole process of travelling very anxiety provoking and unpleasant. I'm doing it because it's a one off. No way would I be doing it for fun or a holiday.

I doubt British tourists will be welcome anywhere this summer.

The tourism industry may be keen to set up air bridges but the reaction of local people will be a completely different ball game. Many will worry that British tourists will cause a major outbreak and will be fearful of contracting the virus from British tourists.

'Plan Its just a knee jerk, xenophobic, isolationist reaction with no benefit, no reduction in Covid risk at all'

This, the SPI-M pandemic modelling says near enough as much regarding transmission. Such minimal benefit it is hardly worth it unless absolute total closure of borders, which is practically impossible.

YANBU but the government obviously believes we, as a nation, will revolt if we don’t get foreign holidays.

They might have it pretty accurately assessed going by tonight’s Clapham Common and Tooting shenanigans, Bournemouth beach this week, everyone’s desperation to shop, and so on.

We really are a pathetic bunch if we can’t go without for a bit longer.

When I was a child it was incredibly unusual for anyone to go abroad on holiday. I also have relatives as does DH that live abroad including many in my Fathers country of origin. I don’t understand why people are so desperate. I go abroad often usually but can just accept that it’s not possible currently.

@Theluggage15

Perhaps some countries can’t afford to keep tourists away? Doesn’t that occur to you? The virus isn’t going to disappear and perhaps governments are realising that we’re going to have to live with it as lockdown is unaffordable.

No one is being frogmarched onto planes, and no ‘rules’ are being broken.

Of course I realise it. These are incredibly tough times for anyone working in travel and hospitality. But imo further lockdowns are inevitable if hospitalizations rise significantly. No modern civilised country can stomach a collapse of its healthcare system. And another lockdown would be devastating.

I’d worry about hospitals in other countries given basic treatment is difficult especially when there’s a language barrier not to mention insurance costs or getting stranded if the borders close or quarantine imposed in either camp.

Thousands were stranded with flights cancelled or ships left to fend for themselves

Why British people can’t help the British economy (and spend local on small independents is beyond me.

To the poster above (sorry tagging not working on phone) who asked 'how long should we wait though?'... With respect I don't think 4/5/6 months is anything in the grand scheme. We will be going camping this year, and staying at home. Apart from the obvious risks I'm not keen on dipping into savings at the moment, who knows if we will both be employed next year

It tells me everything about this government's values.

My year one daughter isn't going to be able to go back to school before the autumn at the earliest but everyone is free to jet around Europe

YANBU I've delayed our holiday for 12 months. Was due to fly in August, but that seems to soon to me.

Daughter is not yet back at school, I don't go anywhere other than the local supermarket, socially distanced and with hand sanitizer - why anybody would get on a plane with people from all over the country, to fly to another country, to mix with people from all over the world sharing a buffet all inclusive and a non chlorinated pool is beyond me.

..So reading the room what's the "comfort level" in terms of risk vs. benefit?

Make no mistake, thousands will be laid off if international travel doesn't resume, both in the UK and beyond . Many in the travel/hospitality industry will have already heard of/know of people who have succumbed to the pressure........there are some fairly nasty stories going around that will never make the press because the fatalities are not directly attributable to covid.

There are two sides to this - Let nobody kid themselves that staying completely in lockdown=staying perfectly safe= best thing for the future of their families.

What's the cost vs. benefit folks?

plan It is xenophobic if you are thinking you are protecting your population when there is scientifically no added Covid threat from open borders.

You evidently didn't read the papers this morning about where a high percentage of our COVID cases came from then? Had we closed the borders, there might have been less cases. Presumably you think all those EU member states that closed their borders were xenophobic and isolationist (also NZ), or are you just saving those terms for the UK?

@notimagain

..So reading the room what's the "comfort level" in terms of risk vs. benefit?

Make no mistake, thousands will be laid off if international travel doesn't resume, both in the UK and beyond . Many in the travel/hospitality industry will have already heard of/know of people who have succumbed to the pressure........there are some fairly nasty stories going around that will never make the press because the fatalities are not directly attributable to covid.

There are two sides to this - Let nobody kid themselves that staying completely in lockdown=staying perfectly safe= best thing for the future of their families.

What's the cost vs. benefit folks?

My comfort level is staying at home in UK this year - not even going back to Belgium to see friends and family posted there (and having lived there for the past 13 years).

There were a couple of trips I was hoping to make this year, but they are on hold now until next year at the earliest; Venice and Vienna will still be there.

What's the cost vs. benefit folks?

Cost's v's benefits can be outweighed without international party travel.

Half the hotel in Feurteventura when we went were Spanish.

Things need to change until we have a better understanding. If the tourism industry cannot cope or airlines are going bust, then it is up to each country to bail them out - you do know that the money the government throws at things doesn't exist don't you? You do know it will be recouped massively in some way to balance the books - it is not physical money. Therefore other countries that rely on tourism have to do the same because if they open now, they are going to be truly fucked in 6 months time.

I am absolutely all for families being able to travel to see their loved ones.

I doubt they will be hanging round pools and buffets with people from all over the world.

Families travelling is a completely different argument.

Things need to change until we have a better understanding. If the tourism industry cannot$ cope or airlines are going bust, then it is up to each country to bail them out

So in the context of a UK centric forum do you think the UK is going to bail Virgin or BA out?

If the answer is no are you happy for taxes on your income to rise to support the increased demand for benefits?