To not understand why there isn't more in the news about this (the difficulty of travelling with single jabbed teens)

[Bramshott]

I've been shocked that there has been so little in the press about the problems involved with travelling with 12-17 year olds who will either have had none or only one vaccine jab.

Found this in the Independent but very little coverage elsewhere:
inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/unvaccinated-uk-teenagers-face-hundreds-for-daily-covid-tests-ski-holidays-1206048

Like many, we were excited about the option to travel soon, if not at October half term (which seems to be being constantly reference by Grant bloody Shapps) then at least at Christmas. But the more I read about it, the more of a minefield it seems to be for DD2 who is 14 and has not yet had any vaccines. Hopefully she'll have had 1 by December, but that doesn't count as "vaccinated" in any other European country as far as I can see. And most are insisting on vaccinations as they're offering it to their own over-12s. Our first thought was Germany (for the Christmas markets) but she won't even be permitted to enter the country, now considering France, but the faff involved with topping up her Covid pass with a test every couple of days is putting me off.

But the headline are all about "travel is back on", referring specifically to the greater ease of returning to the UK, and glossing over the fact that it's actually quite hard to travel to anywhere else if you have children over 12 but under 18.

Grrr.

My friend is an EU citizen living in ROI and she is unvaccinated, she has visited many EU countries (Germany multiple times) unvaccinated by using PCR tests. Is it different for UK citizens?

Oh no I didn't know this - I have a child who just turned 16 and has just had the vaccine - 1 dose

Sorry I missed your link it is different. I know she had a couple of PCRs when she travelled those prices are

We're going to Spain, we have to PCR our ds before we go but I don't think a covid passport is required there. It is annoying that we're not double vaxxing 12 - 16's though when Europe are and expect it.

If you're an EU citizen you can use the EU Covid pass - which means either vaccinated/recovered/negative test. Rules coming from UK vary from country to country.

Countries make their own rules, would you be happy if the UK let anyone in without being vaccinated or taking tests and any other precautions?

We’re going to a Scandinavian /Baltic country as double vaccinated adults can enter with their unvaccinated minor.

TBH, I don't have a problem with how countries have implemented their own rules. I bet if the situation were reversed with the U.K. making it difficult for unvaccinated travellers to come in, people here would be delighted.

Most places PCR is fine. I think Malta and maybe Israel are exceptions.

I would read the rules for each country carefully. Some countries are including 1 vaccine and a positive test within the last year as the same as double vaccinated so no PCR needed if your teen has already had Covid.

I do get that every country gets to set its own rules, and looking at our sky-high case rates I'm not sure I'd be welcoming us in either!

I suppose what I am finding quite difficult and enraging is all the headlines about "travel opening up", several of them specifically referencing the forthcoming half term, when actually for those of us with teenagers that doesn't seem to be the case.

@Muttly yes it would be different if we were still an EU country - travel in Europe at least would be easier (though this isn't intended to be a Brexit-bashing thread)

I'm worried about this because DD is meant to be going to France in April with school. I have zero faith she will have had two jabs by then. she still hasn't had her first.

"Opening up" doesn't mean "freely accessible to all" though. Unfortunately restrictions or specific criteria that need to be met are going to be around for some time I think.

The resort where our time share is has announced it will not accept unvaccinated guests over the age of 12. I can only hope that they've changed this by the time we go or that DD is fully vaccinated by then (she will be over 16 in time to be vaccinated). It's a pain but I understand why they have done it, even though we were there this summer with only a negative test required.

You just need to research and pick your country according to how much hassle you are prepared to go through.

Yes you would think it would be more forefront. families can’t travel easily due to 1 jab for teens. No sign of my 15 year old getting hers yet.

I agree. We normally ski but it seems that will be unlikely unless things change!!

It's bloody depressing.

I like a uk holiday but my youngest is only 14 that's a lot of years to wait!

We’ve just travelled back from Tenerife - it was a PCR test (fit to fly) then OK travelling home with a fully vaccinated parent for my 17 year old son with one vaccination. I found the TUI website really helpful. It differs for each country so worth double checking

I was doing well at calming down until I opened last Saturday's Guardian to a double page spread of "Great half term breaks perfect for families" only to see it featuring Germany and The Netherlands - both places you can't go to at present with over-12s - and got The Rage again...

I'm going to write to my MP on this and suggest you all do the same.

Bramshott, I totally agree with you. It's so frustrating and not clearly represented in the news. I've been so close to booking a trip and then getting bogged down with what is/isn't allowed for an unvaxxed teenager. I nearly booked Germany before realising that was no go. I think Italy is ok, with parents, though there is a passport for entry into museums/restaurants based on a negative test. I looked at Poland, that seemed a big No. I can understand it, but wish it was clearer! Did you consider Italy, or found anywhere that will take our teens? If not I'm wrapping up warm and booking a campsite!!

I nearly started a thread about this.

My query is about entering the US. Then DH asked about testing positive before returning to the UK, and having to pay a huge amount to stay out longer.

Also DDs college has suggested they might go to NY for 3 days, and again I can't see that happening with a load of 16-18yo. How would it work if one of them tested positive. DH has visions of DD being abandoned alone with Covid in a hotel room in NY if the trip did go ahead

I’ve been thinking the exact same thing!
Doubled vaccinated adults and families with kids under 11 can travel pretty freely now, to many countries, without expensive (and stress inducing) PCRs. But anyone with kids 12-17 still have to jump through as many hoops as before.
I too am sick of reading headlines about travel being back on for everyone.

@Sarah2384

I'm going to write to my MP on this and suggest you all do the same.

what is your MP going to be able to do about the entry requirements for other countries?

@starlitnight

Bramshott, I totally agree with you. It's so frustrating and not clearly represented in the news. I've been so close to booking a trip and then getting bogged down with what is/isn't allowed for an unvaxxed teenager. I nearly booked Germany before realising that was no go. I think Italy is ok, with parents, though there is a passport for entry into museums/restaurants based on a negative test. I looked at Poland, that seemed a big No. I can understand it, but wish it was clearer! Did you consider Italy, or found anywhere that will take our teens? If not I'm wrapping up warm and booking a campsite!!

Teens will need negative tests to enter Italy and negative LFTs every 48 hours in Italy to enter restaurants, museums, public transport etc.

YANBU. We’re in the same situation with an 11 year who can travel but a 14 year old who can’t. The 14 year old had COVID last month but I can’t figure out how we evidence this in an acceptable way to the countries we would like to visit. UK only breaks for the foreseeable.