Kids going on holiday to Amber list country...

[notanotherusernameidea]

ExH is insisting he is still going ahead with taking DDs (10 and 8) on holiday in august to USA. He's applied for their passports and insists they're going.

Right now it's an Amber list country.

AIBU to say they can't go?

Eldest DD doesn't want to go because she understands the rules etc.

I'm happy for them to go next year if the rules allow. I'm just not happy that they are seriously still pressing ahead with a holiday when it's non-essential.

(Nc as other stuff I post would be obvious to my colleagues I know are on here!)

@socalledfriend

OK. I still think he needs your permission to take the children abroad though?

Unfortunately not. Ironically I have to get written consent from him because I have a different surname to the kids.

So if his parents live here why does he need to take them to America? It's a want and sounds selfish rather than being for any other reasons like seeing grandparents. It would be a no from me unless I felt it was safe, my kids were desperate to go if I felt it was sufficiently safe, and he facilitated the isolation at the end. Oh and the isolation after if they did test positive.

They will be allowed into the US. He can get them a test to release on day 5 after returning. They will have to isolate for only 5 days unless they test positive on day 2 or 5.

Oh and legally he cannot take them abroad without their permission. Lots of sources including www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad if you Google it

Unless there is a child arrangement order saying he can of course...

@Allllchange

So if his parents live here why does he need to take them to America? It's a want and sounds selfish rather than being for any other reasons like seeing grandparents. It would be a no from me unless I felt it was safe, my kids were desperate to go if I felt it was sufficiently safe, and he facilitated the isolation at the end. Oh and the isolation after if they did test positive.

Everything you've said is exactly my thoughts too.

No court orders in place, he lives 250 miles away so has EOW and half school
Holidays.

OK. I still think he needs your permission to take the children abroad though?
Unfortunately not. Ironically I have to get written consent from him because I have a different surname to the kids.

So many posters fall over themselves and each other to say this isn't true every single time a woman suggests not giving the children her partner’s surname, that it’s ridiculous and should be pinned.

I'd want, in writing, agreed by his partner, that any quarentine / isolation time had to be done with him at his address.

@Allllchange

Oh and legally he cannot take them abroad without their permission. Lots of sources including www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad if you Google it

Was just about to say this.

As long as he isolates with them when they return and pays for all their tests etc. I do not see any issue.

If he tries to make the isolation your problem, then absolutely not.

So with the news being Amber list countries are back on, my dilemma is back at the forefront of my mind.

Kids are saying they will go but they're not massively enthusiastic.

They will be going to see my ex's large family (9 cousins who are siblings and their kids of which each cousin has at least 3) all staying across one big compound in 5 houses. I know that sounds mad but that's how they live. None of them have been jabbed as far as I'm aware according to the ex, so basically ex and his wife will be jabbed by then but my children and the Americans won't be.

He's taking them for 10 days, 1 day prior to travel, 7 days there and then 2 days back then they'll have the PCR. So he's assuming they'll be clear.

The day they take the PCR will be 2 days before the start of the new school term. He says if they're positive he will keep them at his (150 miles from their home) but the kids are saying they wouldn't want to do it. So this is all done on the basis they return and don't have covid or carrying it.

Am I being a nutter?

The kids will love it and are feeding off your negativity.

The children will be fine and have the time of their lives. Why would you stop them? As long as the father will look after them when they isolate I do not see an issue with it.

They are more at risk from school then going to the states I suspect

I would let the kids decide what they want to do. Try not to influence them with the negativity. In terms of risk of covid it is unlikely higher there than in their school. If the kids worry about the whole arrangement let them explain it to their father

I don't think the us is currently letting us in? Lots of airlines have cancelled flights up to 08/08 already.

You should let them go. The risks are minimal. Lovely chance for the kids to see their extended family, they will have a great time

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19

This states if on a uk passport you can’t enter, end of

I should think that one's children fall in the category of "certain specified close family members " of US citizens.

He may well find that the kids are told to isolate during the 10 days before he's due to leave, meaning they aren't allowed to fly.

Tbh I don't particularly want unvaccinated people from the UK with its current COVID rates coming to the US but I don't think there's much you can really do to stop him.

Which state are they visiting?

@Chloemol

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19

This states if on a uk passport you can’t enter, end of

Minor children of USCs are exempt and can enter with no problem.

@Chloemol

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19

This states if on a uk passport you can’t enter, end of

Forgot to add that’s it’s not the passport that you hold that blocks you from entering directly, but being in a Schengen country, Ireland or the UK in the 14 days prior to arrival. So, an Australian who lives in the UK cannot enter directly but a British person who lives in Mexico can, for example. Even if you live in the “banned” countries you can still get here but you have to spend 14 days in an “unbanned” country immediately beforehand. Mexican beach resorts seem to be route of choice for most at the moment. My mother is planning to come in September. Although I’m a dual citizen US/UK I’m an adult so she doesn’t qualify for an exception (she would if I was a minor). At this rate it looks like she’s spending 14 days in Mexico en route to us. Two holidays in one.

@WisestIsShe

I don't think the us is currently letting us in? Lots of airlines have cancelled flights up to 08/08 already.

Some flights are being cancelled but many are still running.

My son travelled to see his dad in US this month. No issues, it's part of exemption to see American parent. They'll need PCR tests before travel. You'll need their birth certificates. They may need to quarantine out there. PCR tests to travel home and when they get back.