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

[manicinsomniac]

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?

Northernsoul I sort of see your point with far flung places (I have always wanted to move to Brazil but my dad died when I was young and my mum isn't in great health so I've never felt able to make that move - though she would hate to know that I haven't done it because of her). But she is still a 4 hour drive from me. I don't think it would ever have occurred to me not to move to a European country for that reason because I would have assumed I'd always be able to travel nearly as quickly as I can around the UK. I probably wouldn't have done because I'm a very nervous flyer so I get trains and buses unless flying is the only possible option. But most people wouldn't have that problem. I don't think it's fair to say that people should have anticipated an international travel ban before moving a couple of countries over.

I'm not comfortable with the idea of travel being ok as long as people pay for their on hotel quarantine at both ends. It makes it possible for the rich to travel, not those genuinely in need. We would end up in a position where a rich person could go on holiday to a Carribbean Island but a poor (or even normal income tbh, looking at the quarantine fees!) person can't go and say goodbye to a dying parent.

It might not be practical to do it any other way but I think it's inhumane.

Yes rich people can and will travel. 2 negative tests and 10 days self imposed quarantine will do very little imo. No restrictions within the U.K. will let varients spread anyhow. Travel restrictions will effect the wealthy less as they can afford the tests, quarantine (not a problem for people who can wfh), and have £££ to go to Cornwall for a week.

@Doyoumind

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

Yeah, you can't trust people in this country. We're absolute masters at exploiting the slightest loophole.

If that exception came in you may as well just open up completely.