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Original poster

Support thread for those with family abroad

838 replies

Schulte · 20/05/2021 10:12

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Schulte · 01/08/2021 17:04

So pleased for you @Tormundsbeard, I bet your parents were delighted to see you and DD! I have a feeling you have to follow the rules that are in place on the day you arrive back but perhaps someone else knows more? Fingers crossed the silly amber plus category gets scrapped ASAP!

OP posts:
Original poster
Schulte · 01/08/2021 17:07

I’m feeling a bit conflicted about being out and about with my parents… because we’re here, they are going places with us and taking more risks than they usually would. It feels a bit wrong, lovely as it is to see them I want them to be as safe as possible. Difficult situation!

OP posts:
GinMama1 · 01/08/2021 17:25

@Tormundsbeard you have to follow the rules for the day you arrived. So if the rules for France change after you arrive back it doesn't help, unfortunately.

WolfMother326 · 02/08/2021 10:50

Hello everyone - back on this thread after a break. So glad to see that some of you have been able to meet up with family.
My due date is in 2 weeks, and my mother is arriving from the US in 10 days! We are so relieved that now she'll only need a test before departure and a test on day 2, no quarantine and no expensive test to release package. We're both fully vaccinated but will be careful and wear masks until she has her day 2 test. I'm so happy she won't have to be alone in a hotel for 6 days when she gets here.

Howdidigetsoold · 02/08/2021 11:49

When is the announcement that will take France off the amber plus list? I have seen this mentioned but can’t see when this will happen

EasterIssland · 02/08/2021 13:04

@Howdidigetsoold

When is the announcement that will take France off the amber plus list? I have seen this mentioned but can’t see when this will happen
Wednesday / Thursday to start from Next week
Howdidigetsoold · 02/08/2021 13:44

Thanks @EasterIssland

Original poster
Schulte · 02/08/2021 19:31

@WolfMother326 so pleased your mum can come over to meet the new baby! Hurrah - we need more of these reunions happening Smile

OP posts:
WolfMother326 · 03/08/2021 09:31

Thanks @Schulte - it's such a big relief. The timing is good for the birth, first time anything has seemed to go well in about 2 years!

EasterIssland · 03/08/2021 13:55

Got my lfd test done today to fly back to Uk on Thursday. Hates all the paperwork that needs to be done now

Original poster
Schulte · 05/08/2021 08:32

Some good news re the traffic light system I see… I hope it helps some of us!

OP posts:
EasterIssland · 05/08/2021 09:13

@Schulte

Some good news re the traffic light system I see… I hope it helps some of us!
Yes ! All good news. Spain now tho they’ll recommend to have a pcr tho will accept lateral flow. A friend had a lateral 72h before flying which was negative and she tested positive on day 2. Wonder how many people will have the same.

We tested negative on Tuesday and we’re flying today. Hope saturdays pcr is negative as well.

Seems like France is back to amber and few European countries will be green.

I’ve a holiday booked for Iceland end of month and thought they’d place Iceland in amber as their cases have been going up , they removed all COVID measurements and have had to put them back in place , but so far still green as per bbc news.

MareofBeasttown · 05/08/2021 09:21

India has been moved to the amber list! I never ever thought this would happen. Unfortunately I can't go right away because I have just submitted my passport for renewal:( What timing. But I hope to be able to go soon.

AlandAnna · 05/08/2021 09:26

We had just booked tickets to Mexico at Christmas so my husband can finally see his family. USA have more cases and deaths and less vaccinations and they are Green. Sad
Please tell me this Red status will pass.

AlandAnna · 05/08/2021 09:29

Actually USA is amber but to all intents green to those vaccinated (us). US also had the same variant as Mexico. Hate how political this all is and meanwhile hardworking NHS staff can’t see their families.

EasterIssland · 05/08/2021 10:19

I think the problem of Mexico is trusting their numbers. They’ve not tested as much as other countries. I’m not sure now but back in winter they had a 50% positive rate which to me it meant they weren’t testing enough

AlandAnna · 05/08/2021 10:52

Yes I do agree re testing and general Covid management in Mexico. I just hope this wave passes so we can see the family… 😔

EasterIssland · 05/08/2021 13:39

@AlandAnna

Yes I do agree re testing and general Covid management in Mexico. I just hope this wave passes so we can see the family… 😔
Hope you manage to see them soon @AlandAnna!
AlandAnna · 05/08/2021 13:48

Thank you. The day will come xx

MareofBeasttown · 05/08/2021 13:54

It will come @AlandAnna. You hang in there. I am going to dash to India alone, see my mom, and then come back asap before the third wave hits. We are all double vaxxed so it should be ok.

AlandAnna · 05/08/2021 14:00

@MareofBeasttown

It will come *@AlandAnna*. You hang in there. I am going to dash to India alone, see my mom, and then come back asap before the third wave hits. We are all double vaxxed so it should be ok.
I’m sure you will be fine, there is plenty of Covid in U.K. anyway. Enjoy those precious moments. It may end up my husband going alone too if this carries on too much longer xx
Tormundsbeard · 05/08/2021 23:24

So we made it back from France via Eurostar today. We got PCR tests done in Paris yesterday, completed the locator forms and booked Day 2 and Day 8 Tests. They did check all the paperwork and test results at Gare du Nord. The trains were fairly quiet so the journey was OK. People wear their masks a lot more in France and there are mobile testing booths everywhere. We couldn’t stay another 3 days and skip quarantine, so I’ll be forking out for the Day 5 Test Release option. It was definitely worth it to hug Mum and Dad after 12 months. Hope everyone else on this thread manages to visit their loved ones this summer too.

SunnyDay23 · 06/08/2021 14:30

Just jumping on here to see if anyone can help me, I am so stressed!

I need to arrange an antigen test for dd for travel to France, but the only places I can find that offer same-day results are in airports and we are going via eurotunnel. Apparently you need your test to have been taken within 24 hours of travel but most places only give results in 48 hours, presumably making your test invalid by the time you present your results. Has anyone done an antigen test in London that gave them same day results, without having to go to an airport? (impossible for us as we're working up to day of departure and will take half a day to get there and back). I've downloaded the list of private providers of gov.uk but have been trawling through all day and haven't found one yet.

Thanks

EasterIssland · 06/08/2021 16:20

@SunnyDay23 I took one with qured tho it was for traveling back to the uk so not for flying out. But I believe their system is similar. You do it via a video call and email the result and you’ve the certificate within 2-3 hours

SunnyDay23 · 06/08/2021 19:02

Thanks so much @EasterIssland! I will use them

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