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Original poster

International travel

63 replies

Aloneonprecipice · 04/03/2021 09:40

Hi all

We are all booked for a holidays in July to a non red list country. I am all confused about testing rules and quarantine. It is aimed that all restrictions will be lifted by 21 June. Does this mean masks and travel testing and quarantine will also be done with.

I got cheap fully refundable tickets, so I am not very worried about losing money but should I be getting ready for cancellation or excited for the trip?

I know no one knows for sure but what are ur best guesses.

OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 04/03/2021 09:53

I don’t think it will. Whilst I’m optimistic about travel, and have two holidays abroad booked myself, I do think that quarantine will be a thing for some, but not all, countries, testing may depend on if you’ve been vaccinated, and masks will be 100% required. Plus, Boris can do what he likes, but other countries may may keep testing and quarantine in place.

Disclaimer. This is just my opinion based on nothing.

Original poster
Aloneonprecipice · 04/03/2021 10:15

I understand, and these my thoughts as well. Let's see.

OP posts:
JemimaPyjamas · 04/03/2021 11:16

I think it depends where you are going and what the situation is like in the country you are travelling to.

You might have to have a negative test from the UK, or you may need a vaccine cert or they may temp scan or even test people on arrival to the country you are travelling to. The transmission info is getting more and more clear that vaccines stop it, but other countries may still want to double check tourists coming in regardless.

I think the chances of having to wear masks on the plane are high, but if it's long haul you can take them off a bit (when eating!)

user88899 · 04/03/2021 11:22

We have Greece booked in August, my feelings (also based on nothing!) is that we will be able to go without vaccines if we test negatively going there and coming back, this is likely to cost £5-600 for a family of 4 so I have set that aside. If we have to quarantine I believe we can cancel/move the holiday.

Original poster
Aloneonprecipice · 04/03/2021 11:29

We are a family of 6! Testing cost will be equal to the ticket costs. Goodness, i need stop thinking about it until it is absolutely necessary to make a final decision.

OP posts:
user88899 · 04/03/2021 11:37

I'm hoping DH and I will be vaccinated which will halve the bill but can't guarantee it, also could be completely wrong but that was my "worst case scenario" before not being able to go at all. We don't pay until June so some time to think about it!

TimeQuest01 · 04/03/2021 11:47

I wonder if other countries will consider ‘vaccinated’ to those with just one dose though.

user88899 · 04/03/2021 12:49

@TimeQuest01 when Greece first spoke out about them they said they wanted both doses, but time will tell, I understand the second vaccine is largely about lengthening the protection so if you've had the first dose within a reasonable period (but not too soon before) you'd think it could suffice but imagine they need more data.

JemimaPyjamas · 04/03/2021 13:03

I agree with what @user88899 said

poshme · 04/03/2021 13:57

I went to Greece last summer. We were told to expect to be temperature checked on arrival at Greek airport, and they'd be tested around 1/5 adults.

When we arrived there were a few medical people near passport control.

Not a single temperature check or test for anyone on our plane. (I'd say about 150 people)

We were welcomed with open arms everywhere we went.

They need tourism.

drivinmecrazy · 04/03/2021 14:17

I'm going to visit my DM in Spain beginning of July til end of august. We're fully expecting to have to be tested before we enter Spain.
The government there is under huge pressure to on the one hand open up tourism and on the other to keep the nation safe.
Given that they are struggling to even open up for Easter (looking increasingly unlikely) I doubt we'll be able to travel in the summer without a negative test, even though I will have had both doses before then.
We have to understand that many countries are far behind us in their vaccine programs.

My DM is in her mid seventies and not expecting her first does until mid April.
They've chosen to prioritise vaccinations for school staff before the over 70's.

drivinmecrazy · 04/03/2021 14:18

Which I think is fantastic incidentally!

ComtesseDeSpair · 04/03/2021 14:20

We’ve booked for August and did so assuming that we’ll require COVID tests at least one way and that airlines are likely to have different individual rules, some of which may involve masks.

My gut feeling is that once one or two countries say that no testing is required for entry or that they’ll consider one dose as vaccinated, or that they don’t have any vaccination requirements at all, others will follow, so many places are reliant on tourism and won’t want to lose out to other countries being more attractive due to lower restrictions.

Delatron · 04/03/2021 14:22

I’m eyeing up Greece. I think that’s a good bet.

It may be last minute though. Couldn’t face a hotel quarantine on return. I think we’ll know more in April.

TimeQuest01 · 04/03/2021 14:55

@user88899, I will have both doses before the summer months too, but I’d love to be able to go to Spain on the May half term.

My mum just died and I couldn’t to to her funeral and I would love to visit my family ASAP.

I also can’t wait to hear how the UK government will deal with the self isolation rules & testing when returning to the UK after international travel.

My last trip cost me £400 in tests.

One to go (Monday), one to come back (Friday) , the new one required two days after arrival (Sunday) and the final one after 8 days.

My poor little nose...

EasterIssland · 04/03/2021 14:58

@TimeQuest01

I wonder if other countries will consider ‘vaccinated’ to those with just one dose though.
the countries I've seen in Europe speak about fully vaccinated (which means both doses) and some of them say that the 2nd dose had to be x days before flying in
EasterIssland · 04/03/2021 14:59

@drivinmecrazy

I'm going to visit my DM in Spain beginning of July til end of august. We're fully expecting to have to be tested before we enter Spain. The government there is under huge pressure to on the one hand open up tourism and on the other to keep the nation safe. Given that they are struggling to even open up for Easter (looking increasingly unlikely) I doubt we'll be able to travel in the summer without a negative test, even though I will have had both doses before then. We have to understand that many countries are far behind us in their vaccine programs. My DM is in her mid seventies and not expecting her first does until mid April. They've chosen to prioritise vaccinations for school staff before the over 70's.
im gong to Spain as well(Spanish here) and they're talking loads about the vaccine passport, so I think that if you've had both then you'll not need the test. unluckily for me I wanna go late June/July which will mean only 1 vaccine (unless janseen )
Madmog · 04/03/2021 15:01

Really hoping that we can all have our lives back on track mid 2021, but restrictions will be released at each stage if the government are happy with the four points they'll be considering - international travel isn't therefore guaranteed without testing, quarantining etc. Obviously we will have to adhere to what other countries require, could be masks, testing, vaccine passport or quarantining.

EasterIssland · 04/03/2021 15:02

I believe Boris Johnson will explain on the 12/04 how uk will open up to other countries, I can imagine there will be restrictions, cant imagine if brazil still doing bad with variants you'll be fine to come back, but i.e. would be ok to come back from australia as barely any cases

I wanna go to spain to see my family so waiting to hear from him what the conditions are to book the flights

user88899 · 04/03/2021 16:37

@TimeQuest01 I'm really sorry for your loss, I hope you can get there soon.

SOLINVICTUS · 04/03/2021 17:14

@TimeQuest01

The same thing happened to me. Flowers I hope you can travel soon. I've had dose 1 of AZ so fingers crossed.

SeasonFinale · 04/03/2021 17:20

@EasterIssland

I believe Boris Johnson will explain on the 12/04 how uk will open up to other countries, I can imagine there will be restrictions, cant imagine if brazil still doing bad with variants you'll be fine to come back, but i.e. would be ok to come back from australia as barely any cases

I wanna go to spain to see my family so waiting to hear from him what the conditions are to book the flights

May I ask why you believe he may do this on 12 April? As most other countries all welll behind us as far as vaccinations are concerned and as many other countries will not allow people in from the UK I fail to see how BJ would know anything by then at all.
Alfaix · 04/03/2021 17:24

I really want to take a chance an book ability for July- probably Greece as DH and I have both had first jab. I’m due second end of March and his is early May. DS8 I guess would have to have negative tests.
DH won’t let me book though.

Crazycatlady83 · 04/03/2021 17:36

BA has just announced a deal with a government approved tester for tests to be £33 each, a telephone consultation and then “fit to fly” certificate issued within 30 mins. Tests are “portable” so you can take them with you for the return trip. I think a lot of airlines are in discussions of this sort with testing companies to open up travel and make it cheaper.

Definitely “watch this space” for the 12th April as lots of discussions going on with EU countries, airlines and the government to see how travel can reopen. It’s a massive industry and we need it to succeed. Not to mention all those people who just want to see loved ones who live abroad!

JackRussellJacket · 04/03/2021 17:53

We have a trip booked for June to Denmark with BA. We will both have had two doses of the vaccine by April. Fully expecting Covid testing to be in place until there is enough data to evidence that vaccinations offer enough protection and expecting to wear masks on the flight. Only problem is that the outdoor event we were attending in Denmark may get cancelled which was the whole purpose of the trip!