To travel to the UK via Malta?

[WonderingWhereNow]

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?

@2bazookas

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.

But... they're not trying to get around restrictions?! They are asking for opinions on a perfectly legal route. What difference does it make whether they spend 10 days in Malta or 10 days in a Boris hotel?

Don't plan on the assumption that quarantine would be avoided. There is little notice and sometimes little reasons that can be seen as to why travel restrictions are changed.

Probably better if friends can visit you in a country you can both travel to.

Relatives have just come back via Rome. Stayed close to airport in the hope guidance would change but it didn't so they spent 10 days there then 10 days quarantine here (or Day 5 Test to release) . If you have time to waste maybe do it in the knowledge that is worst case scenario. Malta are requiring two vaccines or negative tests now though.

You might as well. Heaps of people in the UAE have been doing it. I used to live there so know loads who have passed through Turkey (now closed as on red list) or are looking at places like Malta or Iceland to avoid quarantine . If it allowed why wouldn’t you

Iirc the reason they did not go via Malta was there were no direct flights, has this changed now ?

Having heard absolute horror stories on the Boris quarantine hotels here, lack of nutritious food, etc I absolutely would go via Malta

Hmmm, I don't know, 10 days in a stuffy hotel room with guards at the door or 10 days on the beach in the sun for half the price? Hard choice. Just go for it, worst case scenario Malta goes amber and then you've had a nice holiday and can decide to go back to UAE if you want.

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

Which is why the virus is still circulating and mutating.

@2bazookas

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.

Yes, what an awful hardship it would be to get stuck in Malta. I’ll take as much of that hardship as life wants to throw at me.

This doesn't decrease the safety of the UK - it does decrease the safety of people in Malta though.

So no, personally I would not do it.

I’m pretty sure the people of Malta (which has a tourist dependent economy) would be very happy to accept visitors are compliant with their covid rules.

I’m with the posters who say do it, and for the same reason, 10 days in Malta or a box in a quarantine hotel…hmmm 🤔

Yes of course, go for it. My friend’s done similar recently. @2bazookas but how does what she’s planning not keep the UK safe? She will have spent 10 days in a green country before flying to the UK.

I’d go for it. We’re planning to do the reverse but to visit family in Germany via 11 days in UAE

I’m pretty sure the people of Malta (which has a tourist dependent economy) would be very happy to accept visitors are compliant with their covid rules

Especially when they are extremely well vaccinated.

There are direct flights, they might be getting full maybe, but they exist to various places in the UK.

I am not jealous blunt but not rude .

Background which you won’t know . I shielded most of the last 15 moths die to being ECV. Still haven’t seen parents or toddler grandchildren.

Yesterday my adult daughter who lives with us told to isolate again due to contact . Probably ok but worrying . Today in another household son tested positive despite double vaccination and suffering ; gf not vaccinated , has symptoms. Her health means her symptoms are likely to get severe and her be hospitalised. It’s only a matter of time .

The new delta Variant is exponentially increasing here and around the world.

The 10 day quarantine period is only loosely based on science previous estimates by WHO suggested quarantine could be anything up to 14 days . 10 days is a balance or economics and elimination of risk.

So a 10 day quarantine in Malta does not eliminate a risk of being in yet another variant or exacerbating existing risk.

OP is being unreasonable.

If it's legal and means you can avoid quarantining then go for it! Malta is lovely!

God yeah go for it! 10 days in a lovely hotel in Malta or cooped up in a Boris prison? No contest.

Do it. But don’t pick Malta . I know someone that’s just gone to Majorca from turkey. She’s spending 10 days there and then travelling back to the uk. . That’s what I would do.

“2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney

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

Yes people should not make any decisions in their own life that betters it just because others have it bad what a bizarre comment. What OP is proposing is entirely legal and she’s inoculated.

I certainly would be spending my 10 days in Malta and not a government run hotel!