Why do people want to go on holidays abroad this summer? (Not travel to family)

[WombatChocolate]

Given we have put in huge efforts to reduce the virus in this country over many months, I struggle why people (not the holiday industry) are so keen to whizz off for a couple of weeks of sun, when we know the virus is surging in parts of the world.

What is this about?

The only thing I can think of which makes any sense to me is that they have already booked, or had a booking carried forward from last year and fear losing the money. Somehow they would rather go than sacrifice the money and that has led to large numbers wanting to go.

We all know that mutants will come into the country through travel and it’s impossible to keep them out, so why do people want to go so much?

Is it that they just love a sunny holiday so much they don’t think about the possible consequences? Is it that they do t want to lose the money? Is it that they are jabbed and so don’t believe their travel can have any consequences? Is it that they don’t know about levels of virus around the world? Or is it that because the holiday industry wants to open up (very understandably) they have been influenced by them?

I really understand people who have family abroad, how difficult the travel issue is for them and I do understand why they want to go and often feel they must go. I’m not asking about that. It’s just the standard holiday I’m interested in, because I don’t really get it.

Anyone who has thoughts about it, or is keen to go and feels like saying why.....many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

you'd be selfish and stupid to travel unvaccinated

How do you think some of us have travelled over the last year? I’ve done 20+ flights since Covid started, you think I’m stupid and selfish for doing that?

@EileenGC

you'd be selfish and stupid to travel unvaccinated

How do you think some of us have travelled over the last year? I’ve done 20+ flights since Covid started, you think I’m stupid and selfish for doing that?

If restrictions are loosened this summer I’d much rather travel to see friends and family in the UK who I haven’t seen for over a year than spend even more time with my own household but in a different location! Obviously, if my family were abroad I would want to travel for that reason. But a foreign holiday? It just doesn’t appeal at the moment when there’s the risk it could make this shit show go on longer.

How do you think some of us have travelled over the last year? I’ve done 20+ flights since Covid started, you think I’m stupid and selfish for doing that?

My DH has done around 14 I would say. It's been quite fun being able to pay the mortgage, unfortunately the bank doesn't accept MN biscuits.

I'm planning to travel abroad unvaccinated as soon as possible also.

@MaxNormal

I'm planning to travel abroad unvaccinated as soon as possible also.

Good luck with that

So far it looks like PCR tests will be an accepted alternative, although I know there are many on here who would rather that were not the case.

@MaxNormal

How do you think some of us have travelled over the last year? I’ve done 20+ flights since Covid started, you think I’m stupid and selfish for doing that?

My DH has done around 14 I would say. It's been quite fun being able to pay the mortgage, unfortunately the bank doesn't accept MN biscuits.

Well said.

If we are only meant to personally behave in ways that will be of no detriment to others, especially those of a more vulnerable disposition we could not in all conscience drive a car. Just think of that.

The virus is here to stay. We are learning to live with it by developing vaccines and treatments, and by modifying our interactions with other people. By the time foreign travel is allowed more people, both home and abroad, will have at least some degree of immunity. The current vaccines are believed to offer some protection against new variants. Nothing in life is 100% without risk. It is up to government to set the rules, and up to us as individuals to decide the level of risk we are prepared to take. Oh, and if my flight is leaving I'll be on it.

And yes, you can travel abroad unvaccinated and you will be able to continue doing so this summer. A negative PCR test will be required - and it’s highly likely it’ll be required for vaccinated passengers too.

Not to mention Europe only classes as you as vaccinated after you’ve had two doses. Which for some in the UK, will be July/August. For others in EU, a couple of months later. You cannot demand people to have a vaccine if their own country hasn’t offered it to them yet.

The MN demographic is, thankfully, not representative of the reality.

I’ll have had two doses by July but is there any information yet on what this entails? Ie how to prove it, I had thought not but maybe I missed it.

I choose to live in a house that is affordable and enables me finances to travel. It’s my main ambition to see various parts of the world with my Dh (and dc while living at home). Removing that takes away my idea of “living”. Other people love cars (I couldn’t care less about fancy cars) we’re all different. Last summer’s holiday was transferred to this summer so I hope we can go - 9 of us - spending time with family we’ve not seen for a year, somewhere sunny, sounds great to me. Not sure why that’s hard to understand to be honest.

@m0therofdragons

I choose to live in a house that is affordable and enables me finances to travel. It’s my main ambition to see various parts of the world with my Dh (and dc while living at home). Removing that takes away my idea of “living”. Other people love cars (I couldn’t care less about fancy cars) we’re all different. Last summer’s holiday was transferred to this summer so I hope we can go - 9 of us - spending time with family we’ve not seen for a year, somewhere sunny, sounds great to me. Not sure why that’s hard to understand to be honest.

I'm the same. Travel is my passion in life. For as long as I can remember, I've dreamed about the places I'd visit. Life without international travel seems very drab to me.

That said, I do not consider travel a right - for all those who love to shout 'entitled!' at anyone who enjoys travelling - and I will of course abide by any rules which are in place. I may delay my travels, even if 'allowed', if I feel that restrictions would significantly change the experience. But whatever I do, I won't be asking for permission from the MN travel police.

I really want to come to the UK this summer (am EU based) mostly to see family but also for a holiday! I'm hoping there won't be any restrictions but I'll have been vaccinated by then hopefully.

I spent September in our place in France last year and would hope to do so again this year. We quarantined for 14 days on return and would be prepared to do it again if necessary. Why? A change of scenery, outdoor activities, buy wine (Brexit rules permitting) check the flat is OK and carry out any remedial work. I will have had two jabs by the end of May but will obviously take the necessary measures. I’m surprised you feel you have to ask.

@MarshaBradyo

I’ll have had two doses by July but is there any information yet on what this entails? Ie how to prove it, I had thought not but maybe I missed it.

The exact rules will vary from country to country and haven’t been announced yet, officially.

Unofficially, most EU countries and travel operators have already hinted that it’s extremely likely there will be a blanket rule of negative tests for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. They are aiming for these to be much more affordable than they are now, and reach an agreement on what type of test is be acceptable, and whether you could even get these at the airport before taking off.

Unless a Covid passport is introduced which would contain vaccine/test info. The problem with this is, like you’ve said, how do you prove it? Easier where I live in the EU because we all have ID cards and health cards, where your medical information is stored. By scanning the card they’d be able to see if I’ve had the vaccines or not. Or the information could be added to our ID cards and the same goes there. I’m not sure how that would work for UK citizens.

This is before we even take into consideration countries outside of the EU. This is why travel is so uncertain this summer - we simply won’t know the rules until closer to the time.

This is before we even take into consideration countries outside of the EU. This is why travel is so uncertain this summer - we simply won’t know the rules until closer to the time

I feel travel will be allowed or not, based on infection rates, the UK didn't want to be part of any EU passport scheme, not that we could of and we don't have the private (PCR) testing capacity to do millions of people 2 or 3 days before they travel and if said people don't isolate after the test, whats the point?
Plus there is the question of fraud with test results.

Vaccine passports across europe, let alone the world, will be a huge IT undertaking, its simply not the same as Yellow fever vaccines etc.

Yes, for it to become a universal thing, it would take a while.

However, like I mentioned, not such a huge IT undertaking for EU countries where we all have health cards. I haven’t been vaccinated yet but my friends and relatives who have, can access this information on their health card which was automatically updated when they checked in at the vaccination centre/GP. It’s as simple as that. Another option would be adding the info to the EHICs but then I assume they’d have to be reissued unless they can be remotely modified - I doubt it?

It’s definitely an uncertain situation. If PCRs are the way to go, the UK better ramp up their organisation of that, because it can definitely be done. Where I am we’ve all had to take PCRs on landing since last July, and it functioned really well. Millions of people went abroad last summer and at Christmas, albeit with some delays in the results (36 instead of 24h) - but it’s doable.

and if said people don't isolate after the test, whats the point

The idea is that the lab gives you a QR code with the test result. You don’t just show a piece of paper saying ‘negative’ at the airport, they scan it at check in and can access a national database that confirms you’re indeed negative. So if you’re positive I’m pretty sure you won’t be allowed on the plane and sent back home instead. This is how it is here, that’s how I’ve travelled lately.

So if you're positive I'm pretty sure you won't be allowed on the plane and sent back home instead
Oh so that's ok then. Don't spread it on the plane. Just on the public transport many people going on holiday use to get to and from the airport.

Because it’s perfectly normal to want to travel.

I’m getting in and I don’t have lots of time left to see the world. I escaped an abusive childhood and marriage, and met someone lovely. He’s been diagnosed with MS, is due to retire and we had plans to make the most of our time to travel while he can.

Life’s too short to huddle at home just existing.

Life is just existing unless it's a holiday abroad? There's a huge amount of life to be had within the UK. Unless we're in lockdown of course. Which is the alternative to temporary travel restrictions.

Life is just existing just now. Masks, rules, no travel. There’s a big wide world out there.

It’s not weird to want to travel.

@Tealightsandd

So if you're positive I'm pretty sure you won't be allowed on the plane and sent back home instead Oh so that's ok then. Don't spread it on the plane. Just on the public transport many people going on holiday use to get to and from the airport.

Oh hello again it had been a quiet couple of days...

I won’t waste much time here, but let’s just say that’s the individual’s responsibility to stay home if they test positive, and not something you can solve by shutting the borders indefinitely, which we all know by now, you’d love to do 😂

I guess tbf life might be 'just existing' if suffering from long covid. All the more reason to reduced the chances of getting it.