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.

Were flying out tomorrow, Amber list country, both double jabbed and no isolation required.
You sit and moan all you want in this wee of rain OP, I'll be by the pool or on the beach.

@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.

The insurance may be fine, but have people really thought about being seriously ill, perhaps your whole family, whilst abroad?

I was prevented from flying due to my toddler having chicken pox. It was the worst three weeks of my life.

I couldn't stay in the hotel we were in, as the 'new' holiday makers needed the accommodation.
I was moved again during my stay for the same reason.

I was alone, my DH had to fly back on the original flight, as the insurance wouldn't pay for us both to stay on and the costs of the hotel and return flight couldn't be guaranteed. At one stage the travel company suggested all they could find to move us to was super, super expensive hotel (£600 per night😱) and we were told we would have to pay for my DH - at that point your stay is endless (until recovery and permission to fly) - we just couldn't afford it or take the risk.

The 'local' clinic and chemist were miles away and I didn't drive (without DH). The travel rep didn't want to be near us in case she caught it, so contact was by phone, sporadic and when she was busy, unanswered.

My toddler wanted familiarity, to be cool, his bed, his food. He was really quite ill and I was so worried in calling an ambulance ( how did I do that abroad) in case the insurance didn't cover that particular cost. I realised one of the local clinics that I'd used couldn't be reimbursed by the insurance company, so I had to pay the bill.

I've never felt so alone and stressed with no one to help me. I hardly slept, dumped after two nights of super luxury, into a grotty hotel, in an unfamiliar place, one which I would never have chosen.

When my toddler was declared 'fit to fly' by a doctor ( another whole saga) there was no available seat on flights for another 4 days..the travel firm couldn't tell me when seats would be free, so it was days of packing up, waiting around, sometimes even as far as getting to the airport..to be told no flight.

It was horrendous. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

@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?

Agree with this. The pandemic pales into insignificance compared to what we are doing to the planet. Very, very few people need to fly anywhere.

Well imagine the queues at immigration getting back into the country! A few weeks ago there were reported 4-7 hour waits so I will feel so sorry for these people (not).

@memberofthewedding

Well imagine the queues at immigration getting back into the country! A few weeks ago there were reported 4-7 hour waits so I will feel so sorry for these people (not).

This was news the other day UK border officers have been instructed to stop routinely checking whether travellers from many countries have tested negative for COVID-19.

www.euronews.com/travel/2021/07/21/uk-border-staff-not-checking-covid-tests-for-amber-and-red-arrivals

Which means the queues will be back to normal

If I'd have not been concerned about us holidays 'selling out' I'd have gone abroad this summer on a last minute deal.
I'm fully vaccinated, have antibodies from a previous covid infection and ready to go! I went abroad last summer, when it was easier, and had a lovely time and felt totally safe the whole time.

As it was we got nervous a couple of months or so ago when decent accommodation in places we'd want to visit in England were selling out and prices were rocketing, so we are booked for a summer holiday here instead.

Seeing my friends currently on holiday in Greece is making me a bit envious though, especially as the weather is likely to change here before I go away, and it's looking increasingly likely I will have to cancel our US holiday in October.

I have no increased concerns about people travelling - they're doing a lot more testing in order to do that than huge crowds going to clubs, sporting matches, festivals, etc are doing within the country after all. And I don't begrudge the people,e doing all those other stuff either.

@Endofether

What happens if people test positive out there ?

Make use of your travel insurance - lots now cover covid again. You have to stay over there for your isolation period, and then rebook your flight for after this. You will need to redo a pre departure test to make sure your negative.

DD's friend did it, although her situation was a bit different as she had been working over their for a year out. She tested positive on her pre departure test, without symptoms at the time. She stayed out and flew home on day 11 or 12, having tested negative in order to do so.

SpringRainbow

Greece does require testing and/or vaccine proof.
Friends are there now, arrived yesterday.
Friends are both fully vaccinated so we're fine to go - though one of them were chosen to do a random covid test in arrival (negative). She says they did random tests of a handful of people in each flight.
Friend's ds is too young for vaccine and he had to have a pre departure test before he went.

They have to do a pre departure covid test before they can return.
And a day 2 test when back.

A few weeks ago there were reported 4-7 hour waits

I think that was specific airports after specific flights, and not well explained.

Fwiw I flew in and out of Manchester airport at half term - internal flight but went through biggest terminal (as was only using one) and used the same entry/exit as international flights at the time. Manchester airport was totally deserted in both sides.

Dd went to Portugal and flew via Liverpool. Again really quiet airport with no queues either side for any aspect of it.

Friend flew from Manchester yesterday to Greece. Again, airport extremely quiet, not fully open, no queues, etc.

This was news the other day
UK border officers have been instructed to stop routinely checking whether travellers from many countries have tested negative for COVID-19.

Well that doesn’t sound good

‘Scuse bold fail

Tonnes of negative noras out there

@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.

@SpringRainbow testing/vaccine is a requirement in Greece. The PP was incorrect. Whether travelling by air, land or ferry you must provide either proof of vaccination with the last vaccine being at least two weeks ago, or a negative pcr taken 72 hours before or negative LFT taken 48 hours before.

I also find it a bit insulting when posters suggest going to other countries with poorer health care systems is selfish. Both Spain and Greece have better health care systems than the UK.

@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.

People say this, however I ternational travel is one of the only sectors where multiple tests are required. I actually think its probably one fo the safer activities we can do at the moment.

@happytoday73

Why are you just picking on those that go on holiday? What about night clubs, concerts and other big events... Why should just holiday travel not be allowed in your view?

Oh give over

The interviews on the bbc website about people having to quarantine in their hotels put me right off. There is one going on about how generous fellow guests are bringing milk and butter (!) from the restaurant - and a kettle and tea bags. These guests’ definition of a positive spin was the exciting prospect of sitting on their balcony all day watching films downloaded onto their laptop. Way to spend your holiday.

You have a he'll of a lot higher chance catching covid staying in this country than you do going on holiday. I know what I'd prefer.

You ask why other countries are happy to let us in... many of them if they don't will not be able to earn a wage and feed their family. We were lucky to have the furlough scheme. Not every other country is as lucky.

The biggest concern to me is the Borders Agency being unprepared in any summer at Heathrow Airport, despite it being over 85 years since the legal entitlement for holidays was introduced. They cannot use Covid 19 as an excuse.

@newnortherner111

The biggest concern to me is the Borders Agency being unprepared in any summer at Heathrow Airport, despite it being over 85 years since the legal entitlement for holidays was introduced. They cannot use Covid 19 as an excuse.

Nods head in violent agreement.

You have a he'll of a lot higher chance catching covid staying in this country than you do going on holiday. I know what I'd prefer

OP isn't talking about that though. They are talking about taking Covid from this country to the places people are going on holiday.

OP isn't talking about that though. They are talking about taking Covid from this country to the places people are going on holiday

That’s their lookout though. They can impose the restrictions that they believe to be required.
Spain, for example, has never required incoming arrives to quarantine, from any country. That’s their choice.

@Ifitquacks

OP isn't talking about that though. They are talking about taking Covid from this country to the places people are going on holiday

That’s their lookout though. They can impose the restrictions that they believe to be required.
Spain, for example, has never required incoming arrives to quarantine, from any country. That’s their choice.

Not a great choice, but their choice. I guess we'll see over the next month or so how that choice works out for them...

@Ifitquacks

OP isn't talking about that though. They are talking about taking Covid from this country to the places people are going on holiday

That’s their lookout though. They can impose the restrictions that they believe to be required.
Spain, for example, has never required incoming arrives to quarantine, from any country. That’s their choice.

Spain imposes quarantines. South Africa and India need to quarantine today they have announced those flying from Argentina and Colombia will have to self isolate

Hello from Gatwick!

Def I’ve seen busier airports ! It’s empty!

Anyone who drives around the UK in a petrol car criticising people for flying overseas has a bit of a cheek, given that the world’s cars contribute massively more to global warming than aeroplanes do. It’s not even as if the energy consumed in creating electric cars and mining the earth for the resources required for their batteries, etc, is particularly environmentally angelic. Aeroplanes are not inherently more evil than other forms of transport - they can be by far the most energy efficient way of transporting a lot of people a long way. So, unless you only ever go anywhere on foot and eschew an awful lot of modern technology (including avoiding wasting time on Mumsnet), you are probably a massive bloody hypocrite.