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Original poster

Who's currently cancelling their holiday to Portugal then?

436 replies

diggingatrench · 03/06/2021 16:55

Sad
OP posts:
Abraxan · 03/06/2021 18:15

@Jaxhog

Oh come on you lot! The advice is to NOT go on holiday to Amber list countries. It's been clear that Portugal was going to be ambered and that others would make the red list.

Holidays are NOT essential travel.

Actually it wasn't clear at all that Portugal would be deemed fine last weekend and then changed quickly to amber. I've been reading a lot due to Dd going this weekend and it was only really very recently- today and late yesterday that Portugal seemed to be at risk again. And their numbers have been lower than ours, including their rate per 100,000.

Dd booked her ticket to go and see her friend less than a fortnight ago. All seemed fine at that point,

Fortunately Dd can still go tomorrow as she is returning on Monday evening, before the rules come into effect,

Abraxan · 03/06/2021 18:16

@RoseRedRoseBlue

What’s the new name all about?
To avoid using the country names, to avoid 'negativity' towards a country with a variant emerging.
Abraxan · 03/06/2021 18:18

[quote mocktail]@Jaxhog Until today most of the papers were predicting that additional countries would be added to the green list.[/quote]
Until about 1/2pm today they still were!

RoseRedRoseBlue · 03/06/2021 18:19

@Abraxan seriously? Words fail me.

vera99 · 03/06/2021 18:20

All those who voted for these clowns take a bow we have got a shitshow circus

pinkearedcow · 03/06/2021 18:23

I think expecting to be able to jet off for a holiday abroad anywhere and not potentially have to face this scenario is highly optimistic right now. These are not normal times and this government is crap at managing the situation.

It's crap and I am as desperate as the next person to get away for a bit, but it's just not worth the hassl. Not to mention the potential risk of bringing back a wee covid souvenir to spread around.

I’d rather forgo a holiday than have another lockdown.

pinkearedcow · 03/06/2021 18:24

hassle.

bonbonours · 03/06/2021 18:29

@Needanewhat

Why people would even have booked a holiday abroad this year is beyond me

It was obvious it was going to go tits up

That's all very well to say. We booked a holiday in mid 2019 for August 2020. We then postponed it to August 2021 thinking everything would be okay by then. Now looking like postponing again to 2022. Meanwhile my children are growing up and it's getting more and more likely they will not want to go on holiday with family anymore. So potentially if we don't go this year we had our last family holiday when my eldest was 12. Time is not an unlimited thing, we can't just keep postponing again and again.

Other people are getting older and iller and might be missing their last chance to go abroad with family. It's not as simple as "just don't book". FFS.

NeonStones · 03/06/2021 18:29

@RoseRedRoseBlue

What’s the new name all about?
Naming them after countries means you are a bit stuck if more than one variant appears. Do we have India 2? They switched to naming them after Greek letters, easier to keep track that way.
moynomore · 03/06/2021 18:30

I'm booked for Portugal for the first two weeks of August. Waiting and seeing if it goes back on the green list before cancelling. Everything is refundable other than flights that are transferable.

RoseRedRoseBlue · 03/06/2021 18:31

@NeonStones that makes more sense

singsingbluesilver · 03/06/2021 18:36

Sorry, but no sympathy. Why on earth book a holiday abroad this year. I am desperate to go to France but I am prepared to wait until it's safe. And you CAN get a holiday in the UK at a reasonable price if you look. I booked one yesterday for the end of August. I know it's not the same. I know the weather isn't guarenteed, but for goodness sakes it's a holiday. There will others.

HideousKinky · 03/06/2021 18:36

@RoseRedRoseBlue

What’s the new name all about?
Rebranding Grin
RaininSummer · 03/06/2021 18:37

Sorry for people's disappointment but we need to be very careful at this stage if we don't want to end up with another lockdown. The inconsistencies annoy though. People flying in from god knows where and offices bringing everyone back. Wish we could watch and wait for another month

Puzzledandpissedoff · 03/06/2021 18:38

The vaccine was held up as an end to all this type of thing. How long are we expected to live like this, with the constant threat of the rug being pulled?

I get the sentiment, but actually it's even worse than that ... if there's still no chance of living normally even with the vaccines then many may simply stop having them

And while holidays may not be "essential travel" in themselves they're pretty essential for keeping countless people in a job. However it seems that's just too bad because only Covid matters

RoseRedRoseBlue · 03/06/2021 18:39

@RaininSummer and this is the very essence of my grievance, it’s all so disorganised and random. If there was consistency people would be far more accepting of this.

minmooch · 03/06/2021 18:40

@vera99 All those who voted for these clowns take a bow we have got a shitshow circus

Do you honestly think anyone else could have done any better? What would you have done differently? How would you propose getting our country through this pandemic, trying to balance death/lives/jobs for millions and millions of people?

I'm glad I'm not in charge having to make decisions for the whole nation.

I have no intention of booking a holiday abroad this year. There was always a chance that they would be cancelled. You'd have to be daft not to know this is and has been a possibility.

My dad is in a care home. I've seen him 4 times in a year. It's hard but my need to see my Dad doesn't trump putting other lives at risk.

RoseRedRoseBlue · 03/06/2021 18:40

@Puzzledandpissedoff

The vaccine was held up as an end to all this type of thing. How long are we expected to live like this, with the constant threat of the rug being pulled?

I get the sentiment, but actually it's even worse than that ... if there's still no chance of living normally even with the vaccines then many may simply stop having them

And while holidays may not be "essential travel" in themselves they're pretty essential for keeping countless people in a job. However it seems that's just too bad because only Covid matters

Yep. You nailed it.
moynomore · 03/06/2021 18:41

I get the sentiment, but actually it's even worse than that ... if there's still no chance of living normally even with the vaccines then many may simply stop having them

I actually just said this to DH. I'm early 40s and have had one dose of AZ. Kinda wondering why I should bother with the second at this point. Should I take the (albeit small) risk of a blood clot when I am at a very low risk of issues form catching COVID. I will have the second dose, but makes you think why.

RoseRedRoseBlue · 03/06/2021 18:42

@minmooch, I personally think numerous others could have done better.

Recycledblonde · 03/06/2021 18:42

I think this is about keeping cash in this country primarily.

RikkiTikkiTavvi · 03/06/2021 18:43

The shit show is the way in which wealthy countries have monopolised the vaccines being produced, to the extent that they are now looking at vaccinating children when half the worlds adult population haven't yet been vaccinated nor will they be for another couple of years.
Just because many here are lucky enough to have been vaccinated and therefore only likely to suffer mild illness, there are still plenty of people abroad that will have absolutely no protection from the virus you may now unknowingly be a carrier of!
This. Exactly this.

UberMullet · 03/06/2021 18:44

@moynomore

I get the sentiment, but actually it's even worse than that ... if there's still no chance of living normally even with the vaccines then many may simply stop having them

I actually just said this to DH. I'm early 40s and have had one dose of AZ. Kinda wondering why I should bother with the second at this point. Should I take the (albeit small) risk of a blood clot when I am at a very low risk of issues form catching COVID. I will have the second dose, but makes you think why.

Surely you have a vaccine to keep yourself and those close to you healthy? I don't see going on holiday as the only reason to have one.
RockingMyFiftiesNot · 03/06/2021 18:44

I detest the current government, but what else are they supposed to do when a country's situation changes thus putting our country at risk if they allow travel without quarantine on return ? I guess maybe we should have no countries on the green list for the time being, so no one is disappointed if things change but people would complain about that too.
And whilst I feel really sorry for anyone who had booked for Portugal, I think it is a risk taken when booking a foreign holiday at the moment.
I'm not anti-travel at all as I know some people are, but booking comes with a risk of green countries being moved to amber or amber to red. Not a risk I'm prepared to take myself.

Abraxan · 03/06/2021 18:44

@singsingbluesilver

Sorry, but no sympathy. Why on earth book a holiday abroad this year. I am desperate to go to France but I am prepared to wait until it's safe. And you CAN get a holiday in the UK at a reasonable price if you look. I booked one yesterday for the end of August. I know it's not the same. I know the weather isn't guarenteed, but for goodness sakes it's a holiday. There will others.
Lots of people are not booking new holidays - they are rearranged from a year ago, and booked originally pre covid.

Not all people travelling are going for a holiday, lots will be visiting family and friends they've not seen for over a year.

So yes, I have sympathy for people.

I chose not to book a holiday abroad this summer and I'm glad I haven't, but I certainly don't wish ill on those who did.

I know people who are flying this weekend and still going and I'm pleased they are able to do so and deal with the quarantine.

And I'm really pleased Dd can see her best friend after more than a year apart, simply as her flight returns mere hours before the deadline.

I do have a holiday booked for later in the year but it's transferable.

My uk summer holiday is costing more than a holiday in higher grade hotels abroad that I've done in the last. I'm currently away with dh in Scotland and our week away is costing us over £2000 - we aren't staying anyone posh. The flight to Inverness cost is over £200 each, Dd got return flights to Portugal for less than £40. There's a huge cost difference when you stay in the uk - we are expensive here!