Can anyone clarify the rules for me?

[YoureGoingToHateMe]

Because I can’t make any sense of it.

I’m due to fly to Portugal on Wednesday, at present the flight hasn’t been cancelled. The trip was to visit family that we haven’t seen for 2 years but they’re not ill or dying and the trip is obviously not essential, I just really want to go (yes, I know I’m grossly irresponsible and almost certainly going to the single thing that causes thousands of deaths but I’ve had the shittest year imaginable, this has been the one thing in my diary that has given me any hope at all and now it’s being taken away from me).

The self isolating, extra tests etc aren’t an issue. I don’t care if my insurance isn’t valid. I don’t care if my flight back is cancelled and I’m stranded there for months. But I can’t work out if I’ll actually be allowed on the plane and, if I am, if I’ll be allowed into the country when I get there. Is there any paperwork I’ll need? It all seems almost deliberately ambiguous. I’m tempted to book an appointment with a cosmetic surgeon and claim I’m travelling for a medical reason. I would go through with a nose job if it meant I can go away next week.

Any advice (other than telling me how terrible I am, obviously)? Any links to anywhere that has black and white rules rather than just ‘advised against’?

I think you will find that an appointment with a cosmetic surgeon would not be considered essential, so they would not give you an appointment. There was a post on another thread from someone who had their appointment cancelled today after the latest travel announcement. Also you could take PCR test, at your expense, turn up at airport and told you cannot board as trip is not essential.

My PCR tests, car parking and hotel are all already booked and paid for, before yesterday’s announcement. I’ll lose the money for them anyway so I might as well turn up and try. I’m just trying to find out what, if any, paperwork is needed in order to get onto the plane.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements this is the official guidance.

A friend of mind travelled to Malta recently for an essential trip to his second home. He took copies of house deeds, emails showing what he was doing on trip, proof of PCR that was booked in Malta and proof of PCR tests that were booked for this return. I would make sure you have insurance booked, just to cover you medically.

That’s the problem pandemicpavlova it’s all just guidance. It says that you shouldn’t travel unless it’s essential but doesn’t clarify what essential is or if you are expected to provide evidence that your travel is essential.

mindymomo I can’t find any insurance that covers amber countries. I have plenty of savings though if it is necessary.

It’s guidance not law. You’ll need to check your insurance but I have heard Battleface being mentioned on here for insurance to Amber countries. It varies by company.

I think if this carries on plenty will be travelling to Amber countries and just doing the quarantine on return. I hope you get to go.

It’s guidance not law. No one will stop you getting on the plane and you don’t need any evidence to prove your trip is essential. My in laws flew to Spain last week to stay with family no questions asked.

@YoureGoingToHateMe

That’s the problem pandemicpavlova it’s all just guidance. It says that you shouldn’t travel unless it’s essential but doesn’t clarify what essential is or if you are expected to provide evidence that your travel is essential.

mindymomo I can’t find any insurance that covers amber countries. I have plenty of savings though if it is necessary.

For insurance, check out Battleface and LV.

You will be able to go as long as you've done the requisite tests and booked the ones for when you get back.

I know people going to Spain tomorrow. Spain is amber. If you're flight isn't cancelled, you'll be on it. Hope you have a good trip

Thanks so much isabelles. That’s really reassuring. Now just fingers crossed the flight doesn’t get cancelled