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.

@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!

Are you sure? Tui still seems to have holidays to the canaries for sale for August. Which island is it? .

The biggest problem here is the damage it's doing to the environment and the effect aircraft emissions contribute to climate change.

@ToomuchHeat

I think OP is just jealous. And picking on holiday makers - when there are shit loads of super spreader events in this country.

Countries who want us make their own decisions - some ask for testing - also you have to test to return from all places

Of course they are jealous! I don’t know one single person barking on about travel who wouldn’t be going anywhere under normal circumstances. Sour grapes.

I agree OP, it just seems madness. All those kids that have been mixing in school this week, now mixing in the airports, on planes and taking it abroad. Yes some people will have been careful beforehand, but the majority won’t have been

Of course they are jealous! I don’t know one single person barking on about travel who wouldn’t be going anywhere under normal circumstances. Sour grapes

If circumstances were normal I might be looking to go abroad (or maybe not) .And if I wanted to visit family I would be gritting my teeth and flying. But circumstances are not normal.
I don't see how anyone preferring not to travel makes them jealous of those that are.

Not sure why people always press the 'jealousy' button on here.

@EngravedLabels

I agree OP, it just seems madness. All those kids that have been mixing in school this week, now mixing in the airports, on planes and taking it abroad. Yes some people will have been careful beforehand, but the majority won’t have been

I agree, you can be the most careful holidaymaker ever, taken every precaution possible. But there will be lots who won't and there's the problem.

@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?

How can they know beforehand without it leaking out as it just has here (if true)

The media would pick up on it

Of course they are jealous! I don’t know one single person barking on about travel who wouldn’t be going anywhere under normal circumstances.

Me - haven't flown for 15 years due to climate change so holiday in the UK. Would never cruise for environmental reasons.

I am absolutely not jealous (am never jealous tbh as I have the things I need)

I think accusing people of being jealous is the last resort as there’s nothing else to use.

Whatever @Sparklingbrook touchwood I don’t know anyone who isn’t on holiday or going on holiday abroad. Loads of our friends went away last summer too!

Not one of them brought back covid… even those who went away over December. In fact one friend spent a whole month in Lanzarote - homeschooling her kids and working where the rates were much lower.

I’ve had friends who have travelled for business from India who once again have gone back and forth.

That's great @ToomuchHeat, if that continues to be the case for everyone jetting off this week and beyond that will be a brilliant result.

As you say-touchwood.

What happens if people test positive out there ?

@Endofether

What happens if people test positive out there ?

You call the insurance you’ve purchased and they help you with the expenses you might incur. Those that fly with no insurance play with fire

@Sparklingbrook

I think accusing people of being jealous is the last resort as there’s nothing else to use.

Yes I agree - if you can't find a good argument just go on the attack.

@EasterIssland

Insurance is one thing but the disruption of testing positive overseas is very varied and in some cases very problematic.

Good on them. I am jealous and wish it was me at the airport but we can't risk it with DH's work.

[quote lannistunut]@EasterIssland

Insurance is one thing but the disruption of testing positive overseas is very varied and in some cases very problematic.[/quote]
It’s something you’ve to take into account when you take the decision to fly abroad. However , when you fly not only COVID can happen many things can prevent you from flying back. If the risk of that disruption is high then you should not fly abroad as you’re not in control of everything

If you test positive while out there does the insurance pay for you to stay out there until it’s safe to fly back and also pay for that flight?
At the moment there’s probably more chance of Covid disrupting your holiday than anything else.

@Sparklingbrook

If you test positive while out there does the insurance pay for you to stay out there until it’s safe to fly back and also pay for that flight? At the moment there’s probably more chance of Covid disrupting your holiday than anything else.

Mine pays for 2 weeks. I think the flight is covered but if not most airlines will allow you changing them for free or getting a voucher so you won’t lose the flight

The other day on ig I saw a woman had a nasty accident whilst she was in Mexico and needed emergency blood transfusions. Car accidents happen every now and again.

However , when you fly not only COVID can happen many things can prevent you from flying back

Yep very very true, but with the focus on COVID that eternal fact seems to have been forgotten in the last year.

Sadly a relatively small people number of always did suffer all sorts of unfortunate incidents when traveling, for example road accidents, significant illness, in fact the list is pretty endless, that can disrupt their plans for flying home.

You make sure you are insured and work around it when/if it happens…that or you simply become so risk averse you never travel…personal choice.

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

Mine to Sardinia cancelled too. Supposed to be flying next week.

I’m deffo jealous. Got a few friends who’ve jetted off this week. I’m gutted it’s not me! But didn’t fancy two young kids, masks & the threat of isolation sadly! I have holiday to La Palms in the Canaries booked for October. Fingers crossed!

@SpringRainbow

Thing is, all it will take is someone to enter a country where vaccines/ testing isn’t a requirement (say Greece as mentioned above) to be holidaying next to a family from a country that does require tests (Portugal as mentioned in the same post) and the virus will just spread even more.

The other problem is (as we keep being reminded) is just because you test negative today, doesn’t mean you won’t test positive tomorrow.

How many countries also have quarantine on return as well? I can only guess that Portugal doesn’t as people are going there on holiday.

I will admit, I don’t really know about the entry requirements in other countries as we are not going abroad so haven’t bothered to check.

However, I have been amazed at how much leisure travel has been allowed to continue throughout the pandemic.

I really don’t understand why other countries are letting people from the UK enter their country at the moment. When you look at our rates compared to other countries, you would think they would want us to stay away.

But Greece DOES require testing before you go- or to be double vaccinated, or proof of recovery from Covid.

I am one of the people going on holiday.
I've been double jabbed, and recently recovered from Covid- so I can't take it with me, or catch it out there.
Can't wait!

Being unable to leave the country is one of the hardest restrictions for many. A physical and metaphorical barrier to freedom. Travel is so important for international relations, business, education.

@Chunkymenrock

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?

Absolutely this.