Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Stupid flying rules.

44 replies

Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 14:28

Friend posted that her country was locking down, it's not an official lockdown but schools are closed again and shopping centres etc only allow those fully vaccinated in. So it's pretty tight there.

So, she's decided to move back immediately. Literally searching for flights as she wants back before they are red listed (currently amber).

Does this not seem crazy to anyone else? I mean I get why she wants to come back and makes sense to go when they can, she's not been able to come here since 2019. So I'm not saying I would chose differently if I were her, but equally the law allowing this. Just seems crazy.

OP posts:
Cantstandsmugness · 23/05/2021 17:22

Which country?

SmidgenofaPigeon · 23/05/2021 17:26

So she’s a British National and she wants to come back? Why would a law allowing her to do just that be crazy? Presumably she’ll do the isolation period?

IwillbeyourUtomyT · 23/05/2021 17:54

She’s a British national presumably so of course she can come back….even is she was on the red list but rather more expensive in a hotel rather than at home. Not sure I get the AIBU really

Brokensharted · 23/05/2021 18:06

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:14

No, I think I'd do the same, but equally it's frustrating that it's allowed. It's a Middle Eastern country. She's British.

I guess I'm super mixed, I think she needs to come back now before it gets worse and she's struck but I equally think our country is irresponsible to allow it.

She isn't sure what the rules will be, she's fully vaccinated, she has children who obviously aren't. I'm not sure if her partner is coming or not but he would be going back and he's still working out there.

I was totally shocked when she said she was coming back after saying they were back to home schooling etc. Just things feel like they are finally going in the right direction here so it's worrying if there is a lot of travel happening, but equally I think most of us in her situation would probably do the same.

OP posts:
SmidgenofaPigeon · 23/05/2021 18:16

So what’s your issue Confused

Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:18

She thinks she will be able to quarantine at her parents home with her children who are coming back, As she fully vaccinated.

I don't think the hotel thing would be an option as she has three children and I'm not sure she would manage them by herself (she usually has a nanny). Plus they are high earners but she/he doesn't like spending it. I think that's why now, as if it's red list they have to which is why the push to come now.

OP posts:
Fupoffyagrasshole · 23/05/2021 18:19

You can’t block people who are trying to get home from doing that wtf

nimbuscloud · 23/05/2021 18:21

What’s your issue?

Fupoffyagrasshole · 23/05/2021 18:21

She’s allowed quarantine at her parents house unless she’s coming from a red listed country in which case she’d have to go to a hotel 😂 don’t know what your problem is haha

Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:21

I'm just shocked it allowed. More annoyed at the government, the lack of clarity, the differences between how the categorise countries, I mean this is a country we would define as on lockdown. Shops and school shut, so the fact it's not red listed by us seems really lax.

I guess I was surprised it's allowed, I'm not really blaming anyone or have a problem with anyone, I just think it's bonkers its allowed to happen.

OP posts:
picturesandpickles · 23/05/2021 18:22

I have no issue with red and green countries, I think amber is really getting silly as the government don;t seem to know what they mean by the category.

As for your friend, I think she is doing the sensible thing, people can always relocate anyway so long as they follow the correct processes. She is not responsible for the government's rules.

Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:27

I guess I'm being unreasonable here. Like I say, I would be doing the same as her, I'm just shocked at our rules. Just seems a situation where we will be in a mess again. I thought, foolishly, that travel was only allowed between lower risk countries.

Like I say, i would be doing the same, I think the last minute dash was very last minute, they had planned to stay years but if I was in that situation after the last year or so, I'm sure I would be mad dashing it back too.

My issue isn't individuals decision it's the government allowing travel to and from counties with high transmissions I'm just shocked at.

OP posts:
thecatwithnoeyes · 23/05/2021 18:29

Friend posted

Friend?

Sounds like someone you dislike

Tealightsandd · 23/05/2021 18:30

Yes you're right OP but that's just how it is unfortunately. The UK has been crystal clear that it prioritises international travel above lives, health, and livelihoods. It's why we had long repeated lockdowns.

Of course there should be restricted borders - with real quarantine - and many more sensible countries did just that. Which is why they had less deaths and a less damaged economy than us. It's also why they're largely back to normal and have been for many months. Unlike us.

Other countries must be completely bemused. Quarantine doesn't mean travelling from the airport (often on public transport) potentially spreading Covid including new strains to get home first.

Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:32

@picturesandpickles

I have no issue with red and green countries, I think amber is really getting silly as the government don;t seem to know what they mean by the category.

As for your friend, I think she is doing the sensible thing, people can always relocate anyway so long as they follow the correct processes. She is not responsible for the government's rules.

Exactly, I guess that's what I'm trying to say, she's doing the right thing for her. I 100% agree, I just think the government is really being irresponsible in this traffic light system. I foolishly thought it was more a green is low rates and safe and red was high rates and not sage to travel. This amber/yellow means what though. It's joy safe but proceed with caution?

People have to travel and I think exceptions would be made for relocations but I am surprised it's not more difficult and that she doesn't even have to use the hotels, and she will effectively be living with another family who will also have to isolate then I guess?

It's just messy and I was surprised is all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:36

@thecatwithnoeyes

Friend posted

Friend?

Sounds like someone you dislike

Does it? Ok, not sure I offered much about her to make that judgement but sure whatever.

I do like her, hence why were talked about it. 🤷‍♀️ I was surprised that a country on lockdown was able to travel without any restrictions is all. I knew she wasn't using a hotel as she wouldn't be prepared to pay thousands for her and kids to sit in a room for 10 days and she's a great mum but she usually has a lot of support in the form of a nanny.

I wouldn't want to be stuck locked in a room with my kids either nor would I be prepared to pay (although frankly I doubt I could actually afford it).

But yeah sure, because I expressed shock at international travel involving lockdowns countries I must be a crap friend. 😆

OP posts:
loginfail · 23/05/2021 18:40

I was surprised that a country on lockdown was able to travel without any restrictions is all.

I'm confused..are you saying this country that is locking down is on the UK Green list?

Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:43

@loginfail

I was surprised that a country on lockdown was able to travel without any restrictions is all.

I'm confused..are you saying this country that is locking down is on the UK Green list?

Amber/yellow ... schools just all shut so she said she was expecting it to turn red and wants to understandably leave before that happens.
OP posts:
anniegun · 23/05/2021 18:44

If they quarantine correctly there is no risk.

picturesandpickles · 23/05/2021 18:48

The amber list is the longest by far and includes quite some range in tersm of their covid situation as well.

Experts always said it wouldn't work, as ever that didn't deter our givernment from implementing it anyway!

Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:51

@anniegun

If they quarantine correctly there is no risk.
Well that's not true is it? I guess you could say is low risk, but she's travelling on a plane with others, through an airport with others, and then travelling home and mixing with family. I suppose risk is all relative though, so you could argue that travelling within this country on a train would potentially be a similar risk except this is a country which has higher than our levels.

I think I am clearly quite naive, I didn't know there as travel between non green listed counties, I though only for specific reasons and otherwise it was only green listed counties. I guess I was wrong and I guess risk wise it's still pretty low, if like you say, they quarantine.

OP posts:
OrangeBananaFish · 23/05/2021 18:51

I'm guessing its UAE. Haven't a clue about their rates so not sure, but just because a country goes into lockdown doesn't necessarily mean that we should put them on a red list. If Australia discovered a cluster of cases they would lock down, but I can't see them going on the red list as they have always tended to lockdown at really low numbers and appear to be aiming for zero covid.

MrsTerryPratchett · 23/05/2021 18:54

There is a huge difference between repatriating citizens and normal travel. It's a massive deal to not allow nationals home.

But everyone seems to be unable to distinguish, I have no idea why.

Original poster
Newnamefor2021 · 23/05/2021 18:54

@picturesandpickles

The amber list is the longest by far and includes quite some range in tersm of their covid situation as well.

Experts always said it wouldn't work, as ever that didn't deter our givernment from implementing it anyway!

Sounds about right, ignore expert advice.

Like I say, I have no issue with her or anyone else, I would likely do the same.

It's just a few weeks back we couldn't travel from England to Wales or Scotland etc and yet it seems we don't have those same concerns internationally.

I'm glad she's getting home though, it's not been easy for her, she had a new baby just before Covid (she came home go have baby) and so no one has seen the baby since it was a few weeks old and now she's a proper toddler and it's been hard for her, so I'm glad she's getting to come home.

OP posts: