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Original poster

Summer holidays abroad?

544 replies

TheRedBalloon · 20/03/2021 11:08

I've just been reading that various Sage members have said international travel is unlikely this Summer.
We booked our holiday for the end of July to the Canaries (booked it last Summer.) Just wondering has anyone else booked for abroad and still expects to go, or is it more likely to be cancelled? DH and I have both had our first jabs and will have had both in May/June. We booked through TUI so I know we'll get a refund but the thought of going away has kept me going through lockdown!

(I know this is trivial compared with the illnesses / deaths due to the pandemic)

OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 21/03/2021 20:33

Children generally prefer British bucket and spade beaches

Ours are a bit older now but are sick to death of the same beaches that we can walk to from home. They’re asking to go on a hilly walk - but the hills are much further than 5 miles away (we’re in Wales)

We have nothing booked anywhere at all for 2021 - our finances aren’t up to the vastly inflated prices that most places seem to be charging, and none of us are that keen to go to a self catering cottage with just the 4 of us. We’re pretty fed up of our own company.

Last year we went camping an hour up the road - but only for 2 nights before a storm (Francis I think) beat us and we had to pack up and come home 4 days early.

We’re not getting our hopes up for anything. Less chance to be disappointed again.

Bored2death2020 · 21/03/2021 21:15

Same. Going on holidays whether they ban it or not. If the ban travel - will find an other “legit” way. There is ALWAYS a way. Did that before and will do it again. Not prepared to be dictated by anyone what I am “allowed” and “not allowed to do”. Boris & Co can all go to hell 👍

ProfessorPootle · 21/03/2021 21:47

Were supposed to be going to Orlando this month, booked pre-covid. Have moved it to Oct 2022 as they wouldn’t cancel or refund. Were also hoping to book to visit relatives in Europe this summer as not visited since 2019 but since they’ve put back vaccines can’t see us having them before end of May (early 40s in London area) so 2nd dose won’t be til end of August. EU cases are on the rise, it’s just not worth it this year. Have booked a UK holiday cottage today instead, would rather spend our money here and take the dog!

Lollipop888 · 21/03/2021 22:12

@Bored2death2020

Same. Going on holidays whether they ban it or not. If the ban travel - will find an other “legit” way. There is ALWAYS a way. Did that before and will do it again. Not prepared to be dictated by anyone what I am “allowed” and “not allowed to do”. Boris & Co can all go to hell 👍
That’s very public spirited of you!

To be honest, if they test before leaving and on returning, and make sure everyone quarantines (properly) for 10 days when arriving back in the uk it should be ok...

MummyPop00 · 21/03/2021 23:22

No I won’t be going abroad this year. Surprised that some are even contemplating it. It’s just not worth the grief.

friendlycat · 21/03/2021 23:59

I can’t see it being on the cards early Summer or even Summer at all. Factor in third waves in countries in Europe and poor vaccination roll outs plus new variants the risk seems just too high.

Huge mistakes were made last year with travel corridors. But I realise this helps no one with family abroad.

Having said that I think that additional support will have to be given to airlines and travel companies otherwise they will collapse. All the inference from Ministers is suggesting no travel without actually coming out and saying it definitively.

The economic price is too high to pay at the moment if further lockdowns are required as a result of travel, albeit that there is a high price that airlines and travel companies will pay.

TurquoiseDress · 22/03/2021 00:11

@notveryhappyhere

Those beaches look amazing!Smile

Thewiseoneincognito · 22/03/2021 00:20

@Bored2death2020

Same. Going on holidays whether they ban it or not. If the ban travel - will find an other “legit” way. There is ALWAYS a way. Did that before and will do it again. Not prepared to be dictated by anyone what I am “allowed” and “not allowed to do”. Boris & Co can all go to hell 👍
LOL you sound like a sulky 16 yr old trying to prove a point 🤣😂

I’d love to know What makes you so special that you’re exempt from the rules everyone else is following?

Lentillover1900 · 22/03/2021 06:26

Hooray!

Just read that turkey has confirmed that it won’t be returning covid vaccine evidence

And all their hotel workers and those involved in tourism are being prioritised for covid vaccines.

It’s looking up! My fingers remain tightly crossed for my turkey hol

Lentillover1900 · 22/03/2021 06:26

Won’t be requiring

LittleRen · 22/03/2021 06:40

@Lentillover1900 the issue isn’t whether counties will allow us in as I imagine most will
be desperate for tourists... it’s whether the uk government will allow it.

This is mainly due to the fear of new variants the vaccine won’t be effective against.

notveryhappyhere · 22/03/2021 06:48

I think people are being disappointingly selfish here. It’s to do with new variants. Yes it’s crap that we can’t go away for some proper sun but in the big scheme of things it’s not the end of the world. Whereas new variants could really f up things big time for the UK.

And I speak as someone who goes on a lot of foreign holidays usually.

Racoonworld · 22/03/2021 06:50

@Lentillover1900 if you can quarantine back in the UK for 10 days and afford over £200 for testing in the UK you’ll be ok to go, that’s what you have to do now to come into the UK. Hopefully we won’t still have all that in summer but if our government don’t want us travelling they’ll keep it.

Lentillover1900 · 22/03/2021 07:21

[quote Racoonworld]@Lentillover1900 if you can quarantine back in the UK for 10 days and afford over £200 for testing in the UK you’ll be ok to go, that’s what you have to do now to come into the UK. Hopefully we won’t still have all that in summer but if our government don’t want us travelling they’ll keep it.[/quote]
I can

But hopefully won’t be necessary

Lentillover1900 · 22/03/2021 07:21

@notveryhappyhere

I think people are being disappointingly selfish here. It’s to do with new variants. Yes it’s crap that we can’t go away for some proper sun but in the big scheme of things it’s not the end of the world. Whereas new variants could really f up things big time for the UK.

And I speak as someone who goes on a lot of foreign holidays usually.

Oh yes the new variant

So you’re never going to ever go abroad?

newstart1234 · 22/03/2021 07:22

I don’t understand the variants problem in this context. If variants are a problem this year, will the not still be a problem in years to come too? I would have thought the bigger problem this year would be the low vaccination rate at the destination country being risky to that country’s public health. I have also heard from virologists (on the radio- I don’t have a link sorry, that the spike protein that the vaccine relies upon to stop infection, has a fairly limited range of mutation options. Meaning the virus can certainly mutate in a wide variety of ways but not many ways that can evade the vaccine effects.

Basically, I’m not sure how the variants problem will change between now and next summer. I travelled on a plane internationally last summer for work and didn’t require a test on entry or exit to either country. I am very confused why it would be different this year when I and most people on the plane will have been vaccinated.

LittleRen · 22/03/2021 07:37

They want more of the world be vaccinated - then variants reduce as the virus isn’t running rife through the world. I think certain gov advisors want travel to be banned for longer but I can fully imagine there will be others in government who disagree so it will be interesting to see what happens.

The trade off for more freedoms here will be international travel.

I have multiple holidays booked this year but I am doubtful they will happen.

sausagedogststandupandtakeover · 22/03/2021 08:25

I'm coming around to accepting that we won't be going abroad this year. My DH is still clinging on to the idea that we will. He's struggling with lockdown and everything that's come with it (including job loss) and his summer holiday is the one thing that's keeping him hopeful for 2021Sad

But no, I don't think we'll be going anywhere outside of the UK this year.

malificent7 · 22/03/2021 09:22

I think there is a lot of denual on this thread..if course travel pises risk....it's not rocket science. I have booked my holiday to Greece this year and would love to go but am fully expecting to stick to Cornwall instead.

malificent7 · 22/03/2021 09:22

Denial*

malificent7 · 22/03/2021 09:23

Poses*

Lentillover1900 · 22/03/2021 09:54

@malificent7

I think there is a lot of denual on this thread..if course travel pises risk....it's not rocket science. I have booked my holiday to Greece this year and would love to go but am fully expecting to stick to Cornwall instead.
Oh no denial I know there’s a risk It’s just one I’m prepared to accept

Just as I’m prepared to accept the risk involved in driving my car, riding my bike, going scuba diving, eating raw fish in sushi and... well, walking out my front door and crossing a road!

Thewiseoneincognito · 22/03/2021 10:01

@newstart1234

I don’t understand the variants problem in this context. If variants are a problem this year, will the not still be a problem in years to come too? I would have thought the bigger problem this year would be the low vaccination rate at the destination country being risky to that country’s public health. I have also heard from virologists (on the radio- I don’t have a link sorry, that the spike protein that the vaccine relies upon to stop infection, has a fairly limited range of mutation options. Meaning the virus can certainly mutate in a wide variety of ways but not many ways that can evade the vaccine effects.

Basically, I’m not sure how the variants problem will change between now and next summer. I travelled on a plane internationally last summer for work and didn’t require a test on entry or exit to either country. I am very confused why it would be different this year when I and most people on the plane will have been vaccinated.

The problem with the variants is the ‘potential’ to evade vaccines. The knowledge gained since last summer on mutations is the factor in this, they know how unpredictable they are and how only a slight change could be a big headache for the vaccine efforts.

Remember, the vaccines are to reduce the chances of hospitalisation and deaths so that some semblance of normality can return. If we for any reason find the vaccine efficacy has been compromised then we essentially start over again which means more lockdowns and another drawn out period of restrictions.

Yes booster injections will be needed and used, but to tweak, test, manufacture, distribute and then administer would take months, during which time another two or three mutations could happen and it’s a rinse and repeat.

There is no quick fix for this disaster. I’m sure the usual suspects will be along shortly to say this is all rubbish, scaremongering, doom spreading and unfounded, that the government can’t do that people would never accept it etc etc.

They tend to gloss over the point that this issue is global, yes we need the economic stimulus from international travel and so do the countries we want to visit - is it worth the risk?

Lollipop888 · 22/03/2021 10:10

Is everyone who is booking to go abroad this summer prepared for the possibility of having to pay for tests both ways for all travellers and quarantine on return (possibly in a hotel), or will your insurance allow you to cancel if this is the case?

I haven’t even looked into it as I wouldn’t be able to commit to this, nor would I want to quarantine for 10 days in our house or a hotel.

Or are you hoping the rules will be relaxed? If the rules are relaxed, surely we could see a repeat of last year (maybe without hospitalisations) as many still won’t be vaccinated.

I feel that as long as quarantine is in place, and testing, it should be ok, but worry the government will open the floodgates completely and stop it all. Or is the new plan for everyone to test themselves regularly and carry on as normal? Does anyone else feel the same?

Lentillover1900 · 22/03/2021 10:13

@Lollipop888

Is everyone who is booking to go abroad this summer prepared for the possibility of having to pay for tests both ways for all travellers and quarantine on return (possibly in a hotel), or will your insurance allow you to cancel if this is the case?

I haven’t even looked into it as I wouldn’t be able to commit to this, nor would I want to quarantine for 10 days in our house or a hotel.

Or are you hoping the rules will be relaxed? If the rules are relaxed, surely we could see a repeat of last year (maybe without hospitalisations) as many still won’t be vaccinated.

I feel that as long as quarantine is in place, and testing, it should be ok, but worry the government will open the floodgates completely and stop it all. Or is the new plan for everyone to test themselves regularly and carry on as normal? Does anyone else feel the same?

I have “full covid cover”

Went through it with a fine tooth comb. Covers the eventualities you raise plus pretty much anything and everything else in between

Ans it automatically included by the travel company

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