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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To travel to the UK via Malta?

45 replies

WonderingWhereNow · 02/07/2021 15:50

Sorry, posting here for traffic.

We live in the UAE and are planning to go back home in England in July or August for some much needed holidays as it's been ages since we last saw family and friends. We were hoping the UAE would be placed in the Green or at least Amber UK travel list but it's now obvious this will not be happening anytime soon. DP is thinking to travel to the UK via Malta (at least a 10 day stay) to avoid quarantine once in the UK. I am not liking the idea one bit as Malta could be removed from the Green list while we're there. What do you think?

OP posts:
Geamhradh · 02/07/2021 15:52

Is Malta green from the UAE?
If so, then technically you aren't doing anything wrong.

AlternativePerspective · 02/07/2021 15:53

Yes yabvu.

Geamhradh · 02/07/2021 15:54

UAE appears to be on Malta's amber list from their govt website.

TotorosCatBus · 02/07/2021 15:55

I think that a lot of people worldwide are getting around travel restrictions by doing things like this.

lljkk · 02/07/2021 16:08

yanbu

HoppSuisse · 02/07/2021 16:09

You mean to stay ten days in Malta? Dont see why not if you wanted to. Sounds nicer than ten days quarantine in uk.But dont assume the rules will not change.

2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney · 02/07/2021 16:10

Yabvu why are you so special? Lots of people haven’t seen family.

Blossomtoes · 02/07/2021 16:13

Don’t you have to be double vaccinated with a negative test in the previous 48 hours for Malta? It’s definitely worthwhile if you can. I’d rather soak up the sun in Valletta for ten days than sit in a Heathrow hotel room.

LagunaBubbles · 02/07/2021 16:13

Yabvu why are you so special? Lots of people haven’t seen family.

Thats actually really rude, the OP never said she was special.

walkoflifewoohoo · 02/07/2021 16:15

Why not? If Malta are happy to have you from UAE and the UK are happy to have you after a 10 day stay in Malta what's the problem?!

Original poster
WonderingWhereNow · 02/07/2021 16:16

Thank you to everyone who has posted.

@Geamhradh Thanks for your posts! obviously it's legal otherwise DP wouldn't have thought about it. But still, for practical reasons I am not keen and wanted others' opinions before deciding.

@AlternativePerspective Hmm Could you care to elaborate? FYI we are both fully jabbed and we are not breaking any law. Just the thought of spending ten days cooped up in a tiny hotel room is giving me nightmares. Despite this, I would prefer to go directly to the UK, which we are leaning towards doing. But I wanted to have others opinions before making a decision.

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderingWhereNow · 02/07/2021 16:16

@walkoflifewoohoo that's DP's argument!

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderingWhereNow · 02/07/2021 16:20

@LagunaBubbles Thanks! Of course I am special Wink

@Blossomtoes Yep Smile

OP posts:
SilverOnToast · 02/07/2021 16:20

Providing that you quarantine in Malta, this is a perfectly legitimate route to take. Agree with pp that it is much nicer to quarantine in Malta than in the U.K. right now. Cases in Malta could always escalate in the meantime with any of the variants though, and travel rules could change too, but on the whole, I personally think it’s a fairly safe-ish option overall.

Original poster
WonderingWhereNow · 02/07/2021 16:21

@HoppSuisse You've just summed up both our arguments in your post!

OP posts:
Notavegan · 02/07/2021 16:22

Go for it I'd say.

Original poster
WonderingWhereNow · 02/07/2021 16:22

@SilverOnToast Thanks! Like you, I see that the majority of posters are on DP's side...

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderingWhereNow · 02/07/2021 16:23

@Notavegan DP is thanking you for your support Smile

OP posts:
sirfredfredgeorge · 02/07/2021 16:27

Of course it's completely reasonable to do your UK "quarantine" in a place where you are allowed outside to exercise etc.

It's certainly a risk with green status changing, but Malta is extremely vaccinated and so quite low risk of changing I'd say, I'd do it for sure.

19lottie82 · 02/07/2021 16:28

YANBU, you’re not breaking any rules? I can’t understand why people would have a problem with this.

PrimeraVez · 02/07/2021 16:30

We’re in the UAE as well and it feels like everyone is doing this. I’m too pregnant to fly anywhere (and also don’t have enough annual leave to make a trip like this) but otherwise would consider it.

amylou8 · 02/07/2021 16:34

A lot of people are doing this from Turkey. They're getting a nice holiday for 10 days at less than half the price of a Boris Hotel. Another budget option is Albania, country looks stunning, very cheap for food and hotels, no covid tests to enter, and no masks while you're there. On UKs amber list though so you need to to 10 days SI when you get back.

mn2022 · 02/07/2021 16:34

@2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney

Yabvu why are you so special? Lots of people haven’t seen family.
I sense a bit of jealousy
Pongo101 · 02/07/2021 16:38

The rules are the rules. If the rules allow you to spend ten days in Malta and then travel onto the UK, then why not? I certainly would.

I would do exactly that if I had the time and money. Malta is lovely so go for it!

2bazookas · 02/07/2021 16:49

I think you're trying to get round restrictions intended to keep UK safe, and it will serve you bloody well right if you're turned back, sent to a quarantine hotel at huge expense,. or get stuck in Malta for months because the traffic lights changed.