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Should There be a Travel Dispensation for People with Close Family Abroad?

78 replies

manicinsomniac · 26/03/2021 21:52

I totally support the no foreign holidays thing this summer. It's not worth trading normal life for.

But I've seen so many heart breaking posts on here about people desperate to see their families abroad. People emigrate with the understanding that we are never trapped in one country. One of my colleagues is French. Her twin sister is very ill, quite likely terminal within a year or so. France is so close. Yet might as well be on the other side of the world right now.

If it was the same for everyone, it maybe wouldn't seem so bad. But I know an 18 year old off to Costa Rica for 2 months next week. And another 18 year old who went to Mexico in January for 6 months. Permitted as it's volunteer work and 'education' but they're going to have the time of their lives. While others don't get to see their elderly parents again.

And it seems to be different for the rich too. I work in a private school and several of our children are still distance learning because they are in India, Nigeria, South Africa and elsewhere. Have been since Jan or early Feb. There must have been a reason I imagine - deaths or serious illness in families, I guess. But these are families who could afford the isolations and the time off work.

I know the world isn't equal and fair, of course. But this just seems so hard. Could there not be a general ban on holidays but family visits allowed with strictly enforced home isolation and/or testing?

OP posts:
Doyoumind · 26/03/2021 21:54

No. People don't stick to the rules. Give an inch and some will take a mile.

LimaFoxtrotCharlie · 26/03/2021 21:57

No. You can’t have different rules, it would be too hard to enforce and the same risk of bringing back an infection would apply regardless of the reason for your visit.
What would stop me from saying I’m going to visit a family member in Tuscany when really I’m just going on holiday?

sydenhamhiller · 26/03/2021 21:58

Yes.

2 week ago my mum was diagnosed with myeloma. Given 7-10 years.

3 days ago it was updated to leaukaemia. She has 10-12 months.

My brother is in Dubai and has not seen her for 18 months. If he comes over he has to quarantine in hotel for 2 weeks first at the moment.

NailsNeedDoing · 26/03/2021 22:03

No, it would be too unfair and divisive towards people who don’t have family living abroad, and who might not have family anywhere, but who also have a valid reason to want to leave the country.

manicinsomniac · 26/03/2021 22:04

Lima Maybe you could require proof of a domestic address to stay at and a letter on invitation from related resident?

I've often written invitation letters and offered my houses address for Brazilian friends just to come on holiday here. Otherwise they don't get their visas approved. So it could be done. I think.

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Flyonawalk · 26/03/2021 22:05

@sydenhamhiller I am so sad to read about your mum. I hope your brother can see her. I find the travel ban inhumane.

DancesWithDaffodils · 26/03/2021 22:09

Yes, with managed quarantine on return.
But then I got my arse handed to me yesterday for saying my parents are hoping to do a day visit on Easter Sunday, weather permitting, in the garden, because driving up the M1 isnt allowed (but it is legal). Meanwhile every fucker round here has been having their Mum, Uncle, Sister etc visit illegally. I think many people saying no dont quite grasp some of us truly haven't seen family for months (years).

manicinsomniac · 26/03/2021 22:09

sydenham I'm so sorry. Truly hope your brother and mum get to say goodbye.

Nails What other reasons would be as valid as family? Maybe I'm missing some really obvious things, idk. I've got a bit overly emotional about this. It doesn't even affect me but I'm crying for the people it does affect.

I have a lot of close friends in Brazil but they aren't family and they aren't old or ill. My children's father is there but he is vile and we've never had any contact do they (unfortunately, I suppose) don't know that side of their family. Maybe one day but they aren't actively missing anything now.

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DancesWithDaffodils · 26/03/2021 22:11

sydenhamhiller I'm sorry about your news. I hope you can all get together soon Flowers

Quadrangle · 26/03/2021 22:13

Yanbu. I wouldnt affect me but I think people should be allowed to visit elderly parents.

en0la · 26/03/2021 22:13

@manicinsomniac

Lima Maybe you could require proof of a domestic address to stay at and a letter on invitation from related resident?

I've often written invitation letters and offered my houses address for Brazilian friends just to come on holiday here. Otherwise they don't get their visas approved. So it could be done. I think.

Maybe but that doesn't work if your relative has dementia or is in hospital.
LimaFoxtrotCharlie · 26/03/2021 22:14

@manicinsomniac

Lima Maybe you could require proof of a domestic address to stay at and a letter on invitation from related resident?

I've often written invitation letters and offered my houses address for Brazilian friends just to come on holiday here. Otherwise they don't get their visas approved. So it could be done. I think.

Exactly - you have written letters for friends so that they get visas. All I would need is a friend abroad who could write a letter claiming to be a relative.
RedRosie · 26/03/2021 22:17

My best friend has landed in Aus to see her parents. Happy to do the quarantine. She's somewhat embellished the forms. But it was straightforward.

MadMadMadamMim · 26/03/2021 22:21

No. Everyone thinks they are special, or have a good reason.

We haven't seen MIL and family for approx 15 months now as they are in a different country. She is in her mid 80s and lonely, but it is what it is.

manicinsomniac · 26/03/2021 22:22

Lima But surely there would be a way of proving the relationship? Birth certificates etc? The letters I wrote didn't have to be from a family member, I just had to prove I lived at the address that I was offering the friends a bed in. Which was easy to prove. I didnt pretend to be someone I'm not.

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Mumteedum · 26/03/2021 22:24

I have some sympathy for what you are saying. Students can travel within rules. Seems crazy when not strictly necessary.

ChocBeforeCock · 26/03/2021 22:28

My brother and niece live abroad and I miss them desperately. I think travel should be allowed with enforced quarantine.

I know enforced quarantine will be prohibitive for some. And I hate the covid restrictions. But the problem with travel abroad as opposed to domestic restrictions is it increases the chances of a vaccine restriction strain being imported and the entire country being plunged into catastrophe again. I honestly think that’s too big a risk to take, even though some of the reasons for wanting to go abroad are heart breaking.

flamingflamingos · 26/03/2021 22:31

Yes. It's genuinely terrifying they can take away so many freedoms in the name of this virus.
People missing out on precious time with relatives for fear of Covid is mindless.

Chloemol · 26/03/2021 22:38

No

That said I suppose I would be happy if they all isolated, at a hotel, at their cost for two weeks upon their return, vaccinated or not

nancy75 · 26/03/2021 22:44

My inlaws are in Aus, FIL is quite a lot older than MiL & has various health problems. We wouldn’t go this year because they haven’t been vaccinated. we couldn’t live with the thought of infecting them while we know at the moment where they live is pretty safe.

XenoBitch · 26/03/2021 22:44

I agree, OP. It is not something that affects me, but I have friends that are in this situation and it is heart breaking. My friend in the EU would happily self isolate at his dad's in Devon if it meant he could see him.. but it is not allowed.

EasterIssland · 26/03/2021 22:52

In case anyone is affected by this and wants to sign a petition to allow those with family abroad visiting them
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/565102

EasterIssland · 26/03/2021 22:53

So all of you are happy for me to go to a wedding (is one of the reasons why I can go home ) and mix with hundreds of people ... but aren’t happy for me to go and see my parents and sisters who I’ve not seen since 2019.
I take all of you haven’t seen any close family ,, because you can also catch the virus from your relatives.

Pyewackect · 26/03/2021 22:55

No

manicinsomniac · 26/03/2021 22:57

Thank you, EasterIssland , I will definitely sign that. Not affected by it personally but feeling so awful for those who are.

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