Wow - this will spread it about!

[leafygarden42]

It's the busiest weekend since the pandemic began for airlines and airports, as schools close and the summer holidays begin for millions. Heathrow Airport expects 60,000 passengers to depart daily, while Gatwick says it expects 250 flights a day - up from a low of just 15. Spain is the top destination for UK travellers, followed by Greece

This was taken from the BBC News website.

It honestly seems completely nuts that any country is doing this - and yet - here we are.

Amazing how we all 'need' a holiday so desperately.

somewhere like South America definitely would if tourists cause a new variant to get in.

That’s true but FWIW pretty much every South American country is on the UK red list (to protect the UK…..) so there aren’t going to be too many holidaymakers jetting off from the UK to that part of the world in the near future…

And it is more than rational but also emotionally vital to see family, of course.

They're allowed to go. They're not criminals to be kept imprisoned in the country.

@Terrazzo - of course people can bring it back in despite testing. If you caught it abroad on Friday and flew home over the weekend, you would almost certainly have tested negative pre-flight due to the length of the incubation period. However, by Tuesday, you could well be spreading it around before starting to feel ill on Wednesday.

I think it's appalling. I thought we were supposed to be making major lifestyle changes because of grave environmental concerns too? So how does making completely non essential trips by air during a pandemic fit in with that?

Some countries don't require tests, or they don't require them for their own citizens. So some people at the airport that you will be queueing next to could well be positive.

I’ll be in one of them! Have complied all year since this started , helped in the vaccine roll out (because of my job and because I’ve volunteered in the vaccination). Can’t wait to hug my family who I’ve not seen since 2019.
I’ll do my best not to get infected and take 2 tests on the way back

Im pretty sure that If cases go up in this country it won’t be cuz of peopl like me but more cuz of those that have done whatever they’ve wanted in the last year in the uk.

Im pretty sure that If cases go up in this country it won’t be cuz of peopl like me but more cuz of those that have done whatever they’ve wanted in the last year in the uk

I think it’s more the taking it to other countries that is being discussed. Not the bringing it back.

I have family flying off today to see relatives they’ve not seen since last August I totally get that.

It is the height of selfishness to risk taking Delta or a new UK-grown variant somewhere with lower vaccination rates and not as good of a health service as we have here. Other European countries maybe won't be affected very badly but somewhere like South America definitely would if tourists cause a new variant to get in

And

I think it's appalling. I thought we were supposed to be making major lifestyle changes because of grave environmental concerns too? So how does making completely non essential trips by air during a pandemic fit in with that?

Precisely those two points

@Sparklingbrook

Im pretty sure that If cases go up in this country it won’t be cuz of peopl like me but more cuz of those that have done whatever they’ve wanted in the last year in the uk

I think it’s more the taking it to other countries that is being discussed. Not the bringing it back.

I have family flying off today to see relatives they’ve not seen since last August I totally get that.

I won’t take anything neither wfh and haven’t met anyone for 2 weeks to avoid being a close contact of anyone. Took daily tests as well. See some people can do things responsibly.

I just hope Greece and Spain etc. don't end up regretting letting UK residents in. We will know in a couple of weeks or so whether it is a mistake I guess.

@leafygarden42

It's the busiest weekend since the pandemic began for airlines and airports, as schools close and the summer holidays begin for millions. Heathrow Airport expects 60,000 passengers to depart daily, while Gatwick says it expects 250 flights a day - up from a low of just 15. Spain is the top destination for UK travellers, followed by Greece

This was taken from the BBC News website.

It honestly seems completely nuts that any country is doing this - and yet - here we are.

Amazing how we all 'need' a holiday so desperately.

What do you want to happen? Do you want closed borders and to stay locked down forever? The virus is never going to disappear. Honestly, I'd like you to outline what measures you think will work.

We have vaccines, we will be having boosters probably yearly, we have a test and trace system. What else do you want?

@foxandbee

I just hope Greece and Spain etc. don't end up regretting letting UK residents in. We will know in a couple of weeks or so whether it is a mistake I guess.

Spain has got already delta. The reason? Mainly opening up everything and allowing macro concerts and end of school trips. This has spread the cases among the youngs mainly. Their vaccination rate is nearly as good as ours so don’t think they’ll regret it.

Are we never to travel again? I'm pleased for the travel industry. They must be on their knees

I really don’t understand why other countries are letting people from the UK enter their country at the moment

Really ?

TUI have just cancelled my friends holiday to the canaries in first week of august citing government changes that will happen on Monday.

I don’t see the holiday wave lasting too long!

I am jealous of them and I hope they have a lovely time. I would do it myself but can't risk having to isolate. I expect Spain's cases will surpass ours soon anyway. Covid cases are exploding in Cancun at the moment as well, Delta is driving the third wave there.

@Squidlydoo

TUI have just cancelled my friends holiday to the canaries in first week of august citing government changes that will happen on Monday.

I don’t see the holiday wave lasting too long!

When were they due to fly ? Next review isn’t until the 4th of august and Spain could likely go amber plus
The airline can cancel 2 weeks before the fly without paying any compensation. If they cancel now those flies when they announcement comes the airline will be on tje safe side without needing to pay for anything

@PopcornMuncher

Are we never to travel again? I'm pleased for the travel industry. They must be on their knees

Yep, As an ex worker in that industry (the aviation part thereof ) I’m pleased to hear this as well, though am aware such sentiments will not be welcomed by those who see the “travel industry” as the work of the devil..

@Squidlydoo

TUI have just cancelled my friends holiday to the canaries in first week of august citing government changes that will happen on Monday.

I don’t see the holiday wave lasting too long!

Really?

I'm double jabbed and flew home from a lovely week in Mallorca last Saturday. I had a negative LFT two days before flying home (as would the other travellers to be able to get on the plane) and had a negative Day 2 PCR test. I was contacted by Test and Trace on Tuesday afternoon and am now in isolation. Timings wise it can only have been someone sat near me on the plane. I'm still testing negative.

Nope - not jealous - sorry to disappoint. I was pointing out the facts on the news that caught my attention

How very dare you ponder something without being furiously jealous. 😂

@PopcornMuncher

Are we never to travel again? I'm pleased for the travel industry. They must be on their knees

Exactly this.

It's the same bitter people throughout this, whether it be complaining about people taking a walk, meeting a friend and now having a week in the sun.

If they had their way then we'd be shut in our homes forever, just so we could all be equally miserable.

@Squidlydoo

TUI have just cancelled my friends holiday to the canaries in first week of august citing government changes that will happen on Monday.

I don’t see the holiday wave lasting too long!

Well that’s darned brave of TUI….

They’d better hope their intelligence with regard to these changes is correct…..

I won’t take anything neither wfh and haven’t met anyone for 2 weeks to avoid being a close contact of anyone. Took daily tests as well. See some people can do things responsibly

That’s great. Hopefully all other travellers with you will be in the same position.