Support thread for those with family abroad

[Schulte]

Anyone interested in a support thread for those of us who have family abroad, and don't know if we can see them this year? I had started to feel all positive and optimistic about going back to my home country this summer to see my parents, but it's now looking far from certain and I'm feeling increasingly depressed.

I thought maybe we can cheer each other up and share the latest on border openings, how and where to get tests for travel, etc.

Anyone?

ive to say @quimreaper that I'm flying to Iceland or hoping to at the end of august, and their Covid approach has been amazing, but what surprises me the most is that when I was looking for flights I could choose from 7 daily flights! I didn't think British would be so looking forward to travel to this country as it doesnt have any beach nor sun (and this has been before the green list as I've been looking for flights since February)

So yes I'm the selfish vile woman that wants to flight abroad twice, one to see my family and one to enjoy a holiday , how vile I'm :D

@newstart1234

I’m worried about the direction of the British. They have stopped following the science. I’ve tried to find out how countries are assessed for their colour and all I’ve found is: the JCVI come up with recommendations based of the virus data and local measures (testing for variants etc.) and then ministers approve or otherwise based of ‘other considerations’. Does anyone know where one can find information on these ‘other considerations’? Are the details of these decisions be made public in any way? I despair, because no matter how well the virus in suppressed the ‘other considerations’ can get in the way. How can the UK have changed so much in so little time? Where is the pragmatism or moderation? Where is the fucking opposition??? I’m writing to Kier today 😠

kier wants every amber country to be red... so not sure the labour's approach is much helpful!

I agree @newstart1234. It’s getting a bit ridiculous now. I saw this on a sky news “explainer” article but it’s still pretty vague.

@EasterIssland You repulse me! Get off my screen you selfish granny-murdering probably-millennial. I bet you were one of those people sitting on a bench in the park last summer. I bet you were one of those serial-killing psychopaths who thought nothing of popping out to the post box of an evening EVEN THOUGH you'd already taken your once-daily walk.

I've heard Iceland in summer is lovely, and I know a lot of people go hiking etc. there in the 24hr sun - I suspect not flocking there in droves like they do to the Algarve though. Probably because a pint of beer costs about £14...

newstart I completely agree with you, that's exactly what I was saying about Newsnight - I'm dismayed by the lack of rigorous interrogation of these weird non-scientific decisions, and hope the travel industry starts really holding the gov to account on it. I too was going to point out that Kier is probably not the right recipient of a letter though!

I was on this thread as Frequent Flier earlier. Name changed as not flying anywhere for the foreseeable. Most of my close family are in India. We are all absolutely at the end of our rope. They really need me back home.

I feel unable to interact with people normally here because there is so much deep suffering in India. A close friend's husband just died in his forties and I cannot get her out of my mind. I also feel people are wary of me bcos I might be a disease carrier and they think I am possibly an anti-vaxxer.:( ( I am anything but).

I don't know what the solution is though and am not saying I should be allowed to fly back. Just saying I feel helpless. Delta seems to be worst than thought:(

[quote QuimReaper]@EasterIssland You repulse me! Get off my screen you selfish granny-murdering probably-millennial. I bet you were one of those people sitting on a bench in the park last summer. I bet you were one of those serial-killing psychopaths who thought nothing of popping out to the post box of an evening EVEN THOUGH you'd already taken your once-daily walk.

I've heard Iceland in summer is lovely, and I know a lot of people go hiking etc. there in the 24hr sun - I suspect not flocking there in droves like they do to the Algarve though. Probably because a pint of beer costs about £14...

newstart I completely agree with you, that's exactly what I was saying about Newsnight - I'm dismayed by the lack of rigorous interrogation of these weird non-scientific decisions, and hope the travel industry starts really holding the gov to account on it. I too was going to point out that Kier is probably not the right recipient of a letter though![/quote]
ii got scared with your initial comment :) and yes that was all me! and in xmas I even had a 20 people party ! (the reality is I refused to mix with anyone so whilst my partner went to a family get together with his family I stayed at home and had a peaceful and quiet party on my own :))
I wonder whether there are that many flights because not only it's a secure country atm but also the volcano has erupted and everyone wants to see it, I was really surprised 7 flights a day from England (+ those from Scotland)

I just wish I understood what's going through their minds. Are they just determined not to delay June 21st?

It seems that will be delayed according to the tabloids. At least to coincide with the end of the school year.

Some of my British friends used to travel all the time. Now they are content to go to Skeggy or Hull. They would not use public transport, because it is too dangerous 🤷‍♀️ We are the irresponsible twats wanting to travel abroad. I cannot tell if it is Brexit or Covid related.

Those with family in France I'm reading that France will allow entrance from Uk with a pcr (even if fully vaccinated) from the 9th of June, if no pcr or antigen taken then they'll refuse entry unless compulsory

I'm reading it here (it's Spanish but can translate with google)
www.elperiodico.com/es/internacional/20210604/francia-permitira-libre-entrada-europeos-vacunados-9-junio-11792767

This thread has made me cry. My adult child is on another continent and it's been 18 months since I've seen him. We have an occasion planned for the winter and if they cannot travel I will be very upset.

@silvercatowner my adult child is also in India. I had thought to bring her to the UK in January but at that time India was doing well and the UK was doing v badly with the Kent variant. Then it changed overnight and it was too late.

My adult children are both 7 hours flight from me in opposite directions. I wake myself up at night crying sometimes. I’ve not seen either of them for 18 months, and we used to get together every quarter. I feel broken at the moment. to everyone in an awful situation on this thread.

@EasterIssland I’m in france and more information has just been released about their traffic light system. From what I can see at the moment, though there really does need to be more detail like how all this applies to children for example, the uk is currently marked as an Amber country. This means vaccinated British people can get into france after 9th June with a negative pcr or antigen test. Unvaccinated British people can only get into france with a motive imperial- I.e. urgent/emergency reason or work/residency reasons and will also need a negative test and have to isolate for 7 days after arrival.

My heart goes out to everyone, especially to you @MareofBeasttown
I'd give anything for this nightmare to end and for us to be able to see our loved ones again.

I'm saddened by so much vitriol towards those of us who need to travel, I feel like we're being made scapegoats again just like immigration was a scapegoat for Brexit. Some people positively revel in telling me it's tough luck I can't see my family, we have to protect our own, how can I be so selfish etc.
I know everyone had to sacrifice a lot and all of that is fundamentally coming from a place of hurt. But it makes me feel like a second class citizen - ignored by politicians and with no public support. Paired with a dreadful feeling that this could go on for a long time and no expectations that anyone with influence will stand up for the likes of us.

Thank you @Frezia and much love to you @AgentProvocateur. I think often people who don't live this way can't understand why we do, but I promise my way of life didn't seem so stupid before Covid. If ever international travel is allowed again, I will never take it for granted.

I’m in an amber country and we were due to fly back the the UK at the end of next month, but easyjet cancelled our flights yesterday 😫

Will see if we can transfer them but I’m still a bit unsure as to the tests and quarantine on arrival. I understand that you can do an expedited (5 day) quarantine, which is what we’re planning. However, what is this about £1.5k for tests???

@FloconDeNeige

I’m in an amber country and we were due to fly back the the UK at the end of next month, but easyjet cancelled our flights yesterday 😫

Will see if we can transfer them but I’m still a bit unsure as to the tests and quarantine on arrival. I understand that you can do an expedited (5 day) quarantine, which is what we’re planning. However, what is this about £1.5k for tests???

it's 10 days quarantine unless you pay for another test for the 5th day which will release you but still have to do the 8th day test.

1.5k I assume it's for families, per head is around 200-300

💐 to everyone here. It’s so tough and I’m feeling unhappier every day. The summer holidays are coming closer and it looks like travelling is getting harder, not easier. And what does the new French rule of ‘no test required for vaccinated EU citizens’ mean for EU citizens who live in the UK?

@EasterIssland

Thanks for the clarification. I didn’t realise the kids also need testing. There’s 4 of us so thats £800-1,200 then 😖

[quote FloconDeNeige]@EasterIssland

Thanks for the clarification. I didn’t realise the kids also need testing. There’s 4 of us so thats £800-1,200 then 😖[/quote]
I believe Uk is only above 12 but haven’t checked it again tbh

I just looked on gov.uk and it says only the under 4s are exempt from testing 🥺

@FloconDeNeige

I just looked on gov.uk and it says only the under 4s are exempt from testing 🥺

Thanks ! They’ve changed it. My son is 3 so I’m happy he doesn’t have to go through it

Schulte, when I read the previous guidelines, it was no travelling from U.K. unless a french resident or imperative reasons. I'm British, but in Belgium, and I understand it I could travel into France without quarantine as travelling from EU country. It's all as clear as mud.

By citizen I think they mean resident. That would make sense at least. 🤔

Just read minister gove has been told to self isolate because he was in contact from his trip to Portugal with someone that had tested positive

However “ Rather than self-isolating for 10 days, Gove will take lateral flow tests each morning for seven days as part of the pilot scheme to measure the testing effectiveness of alternatives to quarantining. As long as participants test negative, they will be able to leave their homes “to carry out essential activity”.”

Yet those of us that travel abroad and most likely won’t have been in touch with anyone who was positive will have to isolate instead of taking the lateral flow tests. One rule for them another one for us ?