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?

@Schulte

Amber plus ffs. This is absolutely devastating! Apparently the rule also applies if you have only driven through France without even stopping. And of course the Eurotunnel is the standard way of travelling to the continent

So gutted for you - what a mess

@autumntimebrowns, how wonderful. Enjoy every minute.

@Aria999, that sounds like a total nightmare! I hope your trip is seamless from here on in.

Now does anyone know... if you take the day 5 test to release and it’s negative, do you still also have to take a day 8 test???

@Schulte

Now does anyone know... if you take the day 5 test to release and it’s negative, do you still also have to take a day 8 test???

Yes

Thanks. FGS. I already have the day 2 tests booked, day 8 are only sold as a package together with day 2 although of course they are all the same tests - do I now need to buy new packages???

Alternative is DH and DDs fly back from Germany and I drive the car through the Eurotunnel. They will much more likely pick up the virus travelling through airports than sitting in the car with me on the 20 minute drive through France from the Belgian border.

It’s completely nonsensical. I hate this government with a passion, no other country has dealt with the pandemic as badly as the UK.

I actually don’t think you DO need to take day 8
Was reading the website all bloody day yesterday
Test day 5 is ‘test to release ‘
So you should be free

@Schulte

You could try calling the people you have day 2 booked with and see if they will convert it to a day 2 and 8.

Ours says it will change the tests for you if the country changes color.

We made it! A little bit non-functioning after 3 hours sleep (the kids slept but in a not totally overlapping kind of way) but it's lovely to be here.

They will much more likely pick up the virus travelling through airports

Well that’s the ironic bit

Most people in an airport have had a PCR test
Else they wouldn’t be there !

Sainsbury’s is riskier

@Thisisworsethananticpated

Gov.Uk says you do

If you choose Test to Release, you must still book and take your 2 compulsory travel testss_. You can book Test to Release at the same time as your compulsory tests.
If you decide to take part in the scheme after you have arrived in England, you will need to complete another passenger locator formm_.
Quarantine rules
You must quarantine on arrival in England. You can take a test no earlier than the 5th day after arrival in England.
Example
You arrive in England on Monday. Tuesday will be your first full day of quarantine. You can take a test no earlier than the 5th day after arrival in England - Saturday. You must continue to quarantine while you await your test result.
If you test negative
If the result for your day 5 test is negative (and the result of your day 2 test result was negative or inconclusive) you can stop quarantine as soon as you receive the result.
You still need to take the compulsory test on or after day 8.

Tormundsbeard

From monday 4am amber rules are

PCR to get in
No quarantine for double jabbed
No quarantine for kids

It’s so effing confusing to read though

Fuck me im
Confused

I read and read that website and get more
Confused not less

I think we should start to call the changes to the travel arrangements from France economic sanctions, as when you look at the figures and compare with those from Spain, the Netherlands, several other European countries and Jersey, there is no medical justification for them.

They have been introduced given the stalemate on EU negotiations over the Protocol.

Shulte sorry

After test day 5 you are FREE
But yea you have to take day 8 also
But as you’ve paid for it already assume no biggie ?

@Thisisworsethananticpated

Tormundsbeard

From monday 4am amber rules are

PCR to get in
No quarantine for double jabbed
No quarantine for kids

It’s so effing confusing to read though

france is not amber but amber+ which means you still have to self isolate and take all tests

What the FUCK is amber plus

A new category

My lord

So pleased you made it @Aria999! Have a lovely time.

I might sit it out for a while and see if France goes back on the normal amber list... or, God forbid, the red list!

Perhaps I'll focus on getting to Germany first and then getting back to the UK will be a whole different saga...

[quote Aria999]@Schulte

You could try calling the people you have day 2 booked with and see if they will convert it to a day 2 and 8.

Ours says it will change the tests for you if the country changes color.

We made it! A little bit non-functioning after 3 hours sleep (the kids slept but in a not totally overlapping kind of way) but it's lovely to be here.[/quote]
Well done - what a nightmare though. Have a lovely time now you’re there.

You definitely have to do day 8 tests even if you do test to release from an amber list country unless you are exempt. Then if you tested positive on day 8 you'd have to start a new isolation

@Schulte could you take the ferry via the hook of Holland instead of Eurostar?

Yes @GinMama1, looked into it this morning and it is an option. Hadn’t considered it properly before as I thought it would take us way out of our way so thank you for the tip!

Oh dear, I’ve just realised that because of Brexit, we can’t even take a cheese sandwich with us to eat on the way to Germany

Apologies for those who are not able to travel at the moment – I appreciate how hard it is for you and I don’t want to come across as insensitive.

I just wanted to say that a few weeks ago I was debating whether I should cancel my trip back home to see my mum and I did nearly cancel as the numbers were growing and I was concerned about being able to get back (still concerned as need to travel to a third country from there and can’t make head or tail of all the restrictions). But I am home now and honestly it is the best decision I made – yes, the cases are still high (though lower than in the UK), but people are still living their lives here and it is so nice to have a respite from the COVID craziness that is currently UK. And as for seeing my 80-year-old mum hugging her grandchildren after 2 years, that’s just priceless.

So, what I wanted to say for those of you, how are worried about travelling. If you can, please go! And good luck!

I agree
It takes nerves of steel , a detailed excel spreadsheet and flexibility

But it’s possible

It’s definitely testing my nerves... leaving in eight days (hopefully).

And @theadultsaretalking, I’m glad you made it! Enjoy the time with your family!