Traffic light system for holidays

[Butterflyfluff]

If what’s in the media today is correct, even green countries will require 3 tests to / upon return

And that’s before any tests needed to enter the destination country

All those tests are going to make family holidays really expensive

There also doesn’t seem to be any benefit of being vaccinated - there were rumours that vaccinated people could avoid quarantine if they had been to amber countries but there’s no mention of that today as far as I can see

I don’t agree that being vaccinated should be the only way trial is allowed as not everyone has had a chance to be vaccinated yet, but surely it should have some benefits

Where are you going to? I think the entry requirements of each country will not change dramatically in the next four months. Especially in EU countries with a slower vaccine rollout. What is a bit harder is guessing which countries will be on which list.

@Mykittensmittens We had a holiday booked last year and moved it to this summer. We have paid £200 (£50 per person) to move it to next summer. I try not to see it as money ‘lost’ as would rather pay for a holiday I would enjoy than with restrictions. It’s meant now we have been free to book holidays in England and not do a last minute rush to find so where available.

@motherrunner I agree - and if it had been just the £200 to move it I would do so immediately. Instead we face £1600+£200 for the same dates. It’s pretty galling.

@EileenGC - Portugal (Madeira)

@Mykittensmittens Would you consider changing your destination or accommodation type? It may not be the holiday you had initially planned but if you travel this year, will that be the holiday you planned?

@motherrunner I would but we were taking my bubbled mum and we’ve done nothing but go on about how nice this place is. We’ve tried several other places but always go back to this as it ticks so many boxes and we genuinely love going there. But the additional cost next year is a joke - it’s a 40% rise!!

Would you be vaccinated ? Portugal will receive you with vaccine / antibodies or pcr

Adults in the group yes but 12 and 13yo DC not.

When they say vaccinated do they mean both doses? Both mine and DH are due 2nd in 1st week of June. Hoping that’s not delayed. Minefield! I’m also mulling over testing anyway (including DCs requirement which I presume is needed) and the fact that we fly at 7am on a Monday. 72 hours beforehand to post things about the place - including a Sunday - how reliable is that process?

I just want to move it. But the uplift is ridiculous.

Yes both doses. Kids will need pcr most likely and also back

Thanks. I think we just progress a week at a time. Seeing what announcements are made. Seeing how the PCR charges alter. Seeing what Tui offer as the weeks go on. All quite frustrating.

You will (most likely) all need PCRs regardless. Vaccinated in the EU means both doses. Vaccinated doesn’t mean you’re exempt from testing, at least that’s what they’re saying for now. Who knows when and how it will change.

Madeira is a pretty safe bet as they rely on tourism and their numbers haven’t been too crazy overall. So they should be open by the summer. Depends what category the UK will class it as. It’s just such an uncertainty, isn’t it.

Am not booking until the countries we want to travel to set out their requirements for entry. What Boris says only relates to leaving and returning to the U.K.

@Parker231

Am not booking until the countries we want to travel to set out their requirements for entry. What Boris says only relates to leaving and returning to the U.K.

You do realise these rules might change the day before you come back, yes?

Portugal won’t require pcr if you’ve had both doses , but will require it if only 1 or 0
That’s also the idea of the European passport.

And southern countries will want as many Britons to travel this year as possible so will make it as easy as possible. It’s another thing for coming back if you require the pcr even if vaccinated
www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/portugal-summer-holidays-british-tourists-b1818900.html

I’m booked, end of July, USA.
If we can go, we’ll go. If I have to pay for testing, then I’ll pay for testing.
I am really hoping it goes ahead to be honest and I’ll jump through whatever hoops. I need a vacation.

@Abraxan

A number of hotels and a number of holiday packages have said they include a necessary covid test.

We have a holiday booked for the US in October half term. The flight can be changed up to 2 hours before flying. I'm wondering if that is to allow for an airport covid test.

Both me and dh will be fully vaccinated, plus I do twice weekly LFTs. 19 Dd will have had her first by then, if not her second and also does twice weekly LFTs.

It.l be annoying if they don't take the vaccines into account when it comes to quarantine and expensive testing.

It's not annoying that they are aren't taking the vaccinations into account with testing for air travel. Why should those who are vaccinated have financial advantages over those who aren't. That would be even more unfair than the vaccination passports so anyway. At least then everyone has the same rules rather than one for some and another for others. Why should those who haven't been vaccinated through no fault of their own be penalised yet again?

Thinking about this only one phrase springs to mind....what a pile of shite.

There is more info about this today in the news

Green test before travel and test day after
Amber test before travel and test day 2 ans 8 ans quarantine
Red hotel quarantine

Still unknown which would be the criteria. And also there will be some dates when they’d revise it

It is Far too early to allow non essential travel. Until everyone here has been vaccinated with both doses and the other nations are also up to speed with vaccination and the virus is not out of control, there’s little point in allowing non essential travel.
I am willing to wait another summer so we don’t end as a nation in a mess again.
We have worked so hard to get to here.
The traffic light system is flawed. The variants are not confined to countries of origin. They are everywhere, more so as more people from around the world wanting to holiday. We don’t have a robust track and trace system if we end up importing it. It is not worth at the moment.

@toocold54

The cost of UK holidays are through the roof already. It feels like holidays more than ever are the privilege only of the well off.

I agree.

Depends what sort of holiday you are going for. We have booked some self catering holidays and camping trips and they're not expensive at all. 4 nights for four people, £160 for self catering with a pool and facilities on site, close to lots of activities and nice places.

I don't think it's that expensive in the overall cost of a holiday. Just another thing to budget for. PP who said that holidays are only for the privileged, hasn't that always been the case?

I really wish they'd just give us a date.

@CovidHalloween

It is Far too early to allow non essential travel. Until everyone here has been vaccinated with both doses and the other nations are also up to speed with vaccination and the virus is not out of control, there’s little point in allowing non essential travel. I am willing to wait another summer so we don’t end as a nation in a mess again. We have worked so hard to get to here. The traffic light system is flawed. The variants are not confined to countries of origin. They are everywhere, more so as more people from around the world wanting to holiday. We don’t have a robust track and trace system if we end up importing it. It is not worth at the moment.

im happy for you to wait if you dont think it's the right time. I'm not ready to wait, I'll travel, if the goverment allows it I'll travel, so it's good for me to know what the conditions are when I travel so I plan ahead.

@PurBal

I don't think it's that expensive in the overall cost of a holiday. Just another thing to budget for. PP who said that holidays are only for the privileged, hasn't that always been the case?

ii wasn't expecting to having to pay for my pcr as I'm fully vaccinated, and following the European approach. however, tbh at this point £200 more or less is something I can budget for so it's good for me.

@EasterIssland will your holiday insurance cover you for covid hospital admission?
Will be prepared for quarantined at destination or the Uk, if rules suddenly change?
Would be prepared to cancel of one of your family tests positive?

Would you be prepared to self isolate if you test positive on holiday?
You or anyone else might import the virus and go undetected with the test and sharing it with the rest of us.

So many unknowns.

[quote CovidHalloween]@EasterIssland will your holiday insurance cover you for covid hospital admission?
Will be prepared for quarantined at destination or the Uk, if rules suddenly change?
Would be prepared to cancel of one of your family tests positive?

Would you be prepared to self isolate if you test positive on holiday?
You or anyone else might import the virus and go undetected with the test and sharing it with the rest of us.

So many unknowns.[/quote]
Yes my insurance covers it
Yes I'm ready to quaarentine in my destination (tho doubt the place I'll go to would ask for quarantine as they're the ones pushing for opening up) and yes I can quarantine in the uk.
Yes I'm ready to cancel if my family tests positive.
Yes I can self isolate (the insurance covers it)

And I'd need to get 2 tests at least in the uk which would proof no virus imported, Yes I can afford paying for the pcrs.

The uk won't be covid free in summer (it wasn't last summer) I'd be more secure than those that keep mixing with people without pcrs.