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Original poster

Can I go on holiday to the Canaries if there’s a lockdown?

164 replies

Youngatheart00 · 31/10/2020 09:34

DH and I along with my DM booked to go to Tenerife when the canaries were removed from the quarantine list. Our trip isn’t for a fortnight and now waking up to the news another National lockdown is likely??! We booked in the knowledge that even in Tier 3 we could have travelled abroad but now don’t know what will be permitted??!!

I don’t need a load of judgement about booking a hol either - DM is fully isolated and has been for months but is fit and well and we are both WFH and had planned online shop etc and basically 2 weeks self imposed quarantine prior to trip (so starting today).

Arghhhh - can anyone help?

OP posts:
FelicityPike · 31/10/2020 16:12

Apparently they’re banning all foreign travel apart from work & family emergency reasons.....so I just read might not be true though so don’t shout at me later when it’s proven to be bollocks!

vinoandbrie · 31/10/2020 16:13

Robert Peston has just tweeted that outbound international travel will not be allowed, apart from for work purposes.

TheFoz · 31/10/2020 16:14

Why would you even want to. Craziness.

Original poster
Youngatheart00 · 31/10/2020 16:16

Yes, of course, crazy to want some sunshine, time away from the grind, four walls we’ve been stuck in for months, by going via a travel corridor the government had declared ok just days before. Absolutely crazy 🙄

I won’t travel against government advice, but I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong planning this trip. If only people had stuck to the guidelines at home we might not be in this mess.

OP posts:
Mumofsend · 31/10/2020 16:22

I'm sure most the country would LOVE and desperately need a break at the moment. Think it's moronic for anyone to be going abroad right now for a holiday. Sorry.

PattyPan · 31/10/2020 16:22

There’s not long until the announcement now but I don’t think it’s looking good for you OP. Personally I would be concerned about the risk of not being able to get home as well.

AnyFucker · 31/10/2020 16:34

Peston’s leak of the restrictions on Twitter is that Outbound international travel except for work will be banned

I have a (long time booked) special holiday due in a couple of weeks. I would prefer it if it was clearly stated that holiday travel was actually banned instead of the current ambiguity.

Thay way, flights get cancelled and you can get refunds. As it stands now, I would lose a lot of money if I don't get on that plane through no fault of my own.

Original poster
Youngatheart00 · 31/10/2020 16:35

Accepted I won’t be going, but I don’t appreciate being called an idiot or a moron.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 31/10/2020 16:39

You don't deserve that, op. Until today, I was still getting on that plane too. Many people have enjoyed half term breaks this week. Since July, areas with a travel corridor have been visited with ours and receiving govt's blessing.

So the Perfect Percys on here can STFU, frankly.

Watermelon999 · 31/10/2020 16:39

@Youngatheart00

Accepted I won’t be going, but I don’t appreciate being called an idiot or a moron.
@Youngatheart00

You are not an idiot or moron, and have not done anything illegal.

We all have our own ideas about what we think is sensible or not.

Personally I have always thought foreign travel too much of a risk, even in the summer. We have cancelled 2 holidays. I was annoyed in the summer that a fair few people I knew came home and didn’t quarantine properly and I think the government were naive that this wouldn’t increase the spread. (I know you said you would quarantine if needed).

Original poster
Youngatheart00 · 31/10/2020 16:41

@AnyFucker sorry to hear about your special holiday 😔 you are right though about a complete ban being better than ‘advice’ where refunds are concerned. I hope you are able to take that trip in 2021!!

OP posts:
Versace104 · 31/10/2020 16:41

Yeah wow, how dare anyone want a holiday after this year, soo selfish Hmm

IcyApril · 31/10/2020 16:42

I’m sorry that it looks like you won’t get your holiday. Travel corridors were created for a reason and making use of them is no more irresponsible than other risks people to chose to take in the UK.

Bollss · 31/10/2020 16:43

I don't get why people think this is why we are in the state were in.

Can you explain how someone going to somewhere with less cases than here is causing more cases here??

AnyFucker · 31/10/2020 16:44

Same back atcha @Youngatheart00

Holyrivolli · 31/10/2020 16:46

I hope you do get to go. Some summer sunshine and downtime from the monotony of covid life would be lovely.

So many people on here seem to be positively thriving in negativity and take every opportunity to try to force people to comply with their self-imposed rules. If you quarantine both ends and travel is still allowed then there is nothing wrong.

Holyrivolli · 31/10/2020 16:47

#winter sunshine even.

Lockheart · 31/10/2020 16:49

@TrustTheGeneGenie

I don't get why people think this is why we are in the state were in.

Can you explain how someone going to somewhere with less cases than here is causing more cases here??

I'm going to post these again.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/30/coronavirus-strain-from-spain-accounts-for-most-uk-cases-study

www.ft.com/content/2782655a-0441-4d38-bb03-5c4e67ead110

Bollss · 31/10/2020 16:51

You best tell the government then because they allowed it. Plus we still had cases both before and after the Spain travel corridor.

Lockheart · 31/10/2020 16:54

@Holyrivolli

I hope you do get to go. Some summer sunshine and downtime from the monotony of covid life would be lovely.

So many people on here seem to be positively thriving in negativity and take every opportunity to try to force people to comply with their self-imposed rules. If you quarantine both ends and travel is still allowed then there is nothing wrong.

Holidays are great, I don't think anyone is denying that. I'd love a holiday too.

But asking those returning from holiday to quarantine has clearly not worked. Even assuming all travellers stick to the rules, they will still come into contact with many people on their way from the plane to their front door.

For many people, having a two-week quarantine at both ends is also impossible because a) it would take up the entire holiday and b) they can't afford to take two weeks unpaid leave on their return.

The virus can only spread when people move it around. Until it's under control, international travel is irresponsible unless you have no other choice.

Lockheart · 31/10/2020 16:56

@TrustTheGeneGenie

You best tell the government then because they allowed it. Plus we still had cases both before and after the Spain travel corridor.
I know the government allowed it, and personally I think it was bloody stupid of them to encourage it.

It is estimated that 80% of current UK cases are a Spanish strain brought back by travellers.

If international holidays had been curbed over the summer, we might not be looking at a nationwide tightening of restrictions today.

Happyheartlovelife · 31/10/2020 16:56

@Mumofsend

I'm sure most the country would LOVE and desperately need a break at the moment. Think it's moronic for anyone to be going abroad right now for a holiday. Sorry.
Oh yes!

Oh. I have dreamt about it. Can't do it mind you. But I have dreamt for a good year as it is

Aridane · 31/10/2020 17:02

@Lavenderseas

Getting a covid test within 72 hours of arrival will be the difficult part.

But in addition I don't think it's the best idea to go on holiday during restrictions isn't ideal.

That’s quite easy - there are dedicated clinics in the Canaries specifically for this
Aridane · 31/10/2020 17:08

@mummyh2016

Wow the claws are out on MN today aren't they. Not the first thread I've seen like this today. No advice OP other than to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Ignore the high and mighty posts on here!
Indeed

On Other covid threads the Mumsnet cunties are out in force saying let the vulnerable shield / the elderly have lived their lives they would have died anyway - so long as they can go out and about as normal. And they’ll do their own risk assessment thank you very much

But here the mild mannerEd OP has the temerity to tentatively book a holiday with her mother and clearly she is despicable etc

RumHoney · 31/10/2020 17:15

I'd like to defend OP. The infection rate in the canaries is pretty low at the moment and the tourist industry is crying out for visitors. The risk is that we take something there, or bring back something we've picked up from other tourists rather than the locals. (Tenerife is a bit higher, but the others are pretty low)

I'm booked on a flight out there on Saturday. My dad lives out there and works in the tourist industry. He lives alone and hasn't seen any family since we left in early February. He's been struggling to keep the business afloat with no visitors. I was prepared to quarantine if necessary but the charter flights didn't resume til the quarantine restriction was dropped (and I didn't want to fly Ryanair or change in Madrid).

Even when the dropping of quarantine was announced I dithered a bit because of the risks, but I spoke to him and it was clear he wanted me to try sooner rather than later. We booked on Wednesday having carefully checked all the guidance, insurance and so on, and now it looks like it's off again.

I'll get a refund, and I was always aware this was a risk, but it winds me up when I see people whining about things like the rule of 6 when some of us haven't been able to see family for months.