I'm going to Australia next week

[Reallyweirditems]

So, who wants to come and tell me how selfish I am for travelling to Australia next week, via Singapore?

No one can answer that
Personally I’d leave it till next year if you can. The longer the better

@LaBelleSauvage123

I think you should consider what is best for your son, not what you want. Australia is less densely populated and has strict border control to stem the virus. UK... not so much. Besides he is young and presumably healthy?

What does 'it's now or never' mean, OP? Why would it be never? Haven't you been before?

He’s travelling with friends, one of whom was born there and has relatives and friends with whom they’ve mostly been staying. They’re in Cairns at the moment and are just making plans about where to go next, as they’re now not going to Asia.

Spatchcock this is entirely based on what’s best for him.

Sorry OP - didn’t mean to hijack your thread 😳

Have you seen that you will have to self isolate for 2 weeks when you arrive?

Our family were due to fly to us 1st April and flights were cancelled, are you sure yours are still going ahead?

Of course I hope they are for you.

We are heartbroken at the moment

Seems like airlines hold out for for a long time. Due to go to region of Austria at Easter which announced shutdown of all hotels and accommodation ... But the flights still stand so no insurance cover. Seems unreasonable to me to not refund people flying to an area where all hotels are cancelling them and there will literally be nowhere to stay plus I expected better if BA... But I guess the flights go on for a range of reasons not just tourists. Hope you get to go and agree much of the aggressive panic on here is unhelpful.

With the new advice Of a need to self isolate for 14 days I wouldn’t bother

Just seen that Australia is making people self isolate for 2 weeks on arrival. In Guardian live feed.

Just spent an hour cancelling all hotels for our month long trip to Australia, to see DS. About to start on flights and other bookings.

Feel absolutely gutted, although I think it's the right decision.

DS has received an email from work today, to say that everyone should work from home for the next 2 weeks, possibly month.

Scary times - have to look at the bigger picture at the moment.

Reallyweirditems I can't believe your level of selfishness, it's beyond comprehension.

Anyway, thought I would let you know to bring plenty of cash because one state (Qld) has already imposed a Au$13,000 fine for anyone failing to comply with self-isolation conditions, which are being checked by Police See here . Au$13,000 converts to GBP 6540 as per today's exchange rates. More than likely this will extend across the other states in coming days. Atm, self-isolation is 14 days but that too, could change if the situation worsens.

Hope your hosts are extremely patient and willing to comply with isolation restrictions as well.

Does anyone know what the advice is for people returning to UK from Aus at the moment? We have a 70yo relative returning next week after a 4 week trip, and would expect him to self isolate, but I doubt he will do so willingly

You have to self isolate for two weeks

Will you?

That means not seeing your family.

And how will you get to your family?

@LaBelleSauvage123
I live in Brisbane. I think your son would be safest staying in Australia for a while if he can. Safer than flying, going to Asia or the UK.

He’s definitely not going to Asia. The issue is that they have mainly been staying with friends and relatives, and we don’t want them to feel obliged to put them up for longer. His budget will stretch to hostels and we can send more money out if needed but what happens if the government close down all but essential services?

LaBelle
These are abnormal times - if I had someone staying with me, I would happily let them stay for longer. Alternatively, could you find an AirBNB that might suit, so he and his friends have their own space? There are probably cancellations at the moment, so may not cost too much?

That’s an idea - thank you.

Me

@LaBelleSauvage123 I'm in Australia and it's pretty crazy here. Our shelves are absolutely stripped bare of everything - flour, rice, pasta, past sauce, suger, oil, meat, veg, fresh fruit, frozen food (all kinds), milk, bread, toilet paper, tissues, paper towel ... Everything is gone. Our schools almost shut down today and likely will on Friday this week if not earlier. It's been suggested that this may be for around 4 months. We've banned gatherings of over 500 people. The whisper is that some form of isolation is coming soon. I'm friends with a few people who work in retail stores and they've been told that they're expecting to be closed down in 2 weeks. If your son can come home then I would encourage that. He might find himself stuck here for months with nothing open and nobody looking to hire. If him or you have a lot of money for an airbnb then that would be something but if not then I would concerned. His hosts may not be keen to keep him for a few months if that's what eventuates.

Eeeek op I am not sure this thread has quite gone how you hoped. Doesn't sound like much of a holiday

I still don't get why it's now or never, unless someone is about to die and that hasn't been suggested. Apart from danger to yourself and others, it's rather silly to travel abroad at this time.

Other people are being sensible about this crisis, not panicking but going along with sensible precautions and suggestions. I'm self isolating, my son who returned from France (and had been in other European countries before France), is self isolating for at least a fortnight and an American colleague who was on the tour and is now staying with him can't go home for a month from arrival in the UK. They just accept that's how it is and get on with it.

Quite honestly I wouldn't be surprised if your Australian relatives ask you not to come until it is all over.

I have flights to australia in April. The insurer won’t cover the costs if we don’t go because technically we still can.

So we may still go and self isolate in my parents house.

I would rather they just stop the incoming flights because then we’d get a simple refund from either airline or insurer.

I'm just fed up of people on MN telling others how selfish they are because they're getting on with their lives!

LOL. Enjoy your trip. Sounds like it's going to be wonderful.