So families with 12-17 years olds still can't really travel?

[MsFogi]

If I have read the various requirements (UK and EU countries) correctly - it seems teenagers getting one jab won't count as vaccinated for EU travel (eg in France they won't have a vaccine passport so won't be able to to into restaurants, museums etc etc without a covid test from a pharmacy every few days) and they'll still have to have a waste of time PCR test on their return. Which means short visits to Europe are pretty much a write-off and it's not looking great for holidays abroad generally. This seems awfully unfair - that the one jab puts them in limbo.

I think you’re correct- but Not all Eu countries are expecting tourists to be fully vaccinated, Croatia for instance will accept non vaccinated minors. Checks at restaurants are non existent. That might be an option. I was also told that they have vaccinated passing tourist (although that’s not what the notices say at the vaccination centres). Might be an option ;-)

Yes, it sucks. Also they can't travel to France without a fully vaccinated adult or they have to quarantine. Really want my daughter to go there to stay with a French family before her French exams next summer but it can't happen unless they change their rules or our gov decide to do the second jab.

Agree, plus its the balance of risk. They are being vaccinated mainly to protect others, being able to travel does make it of benefit to them. One jab has risks but little benefit

Agree it's a bit of a nuisance. We were looking at Canada but those over 12 need to isolate if not fully vaccinated.

It is what it is I guess. I'm just pleased dd is finally being offered a vaccine.

Yep. This is what I kept saying last night and this morning on numerous threads where everyone was saying how great it was. It is great, as long as everyone remembers that just because Boris says you can do X to leave Britain, doesn't mean that you can do Y once you get off the plane!

Portugal is only interested in tests - they don't recognise the NHS covid pass.

And Croatia and Austria won't accept anyone under 50 soon as we won't have had boosters and they are putting an expiry date on the vaccine. I think it's 270 days after the second dose.

I get that they have to test before entering back into UK but is it still day 2 PCR test and no need to isolate?

Yes, it’s a horrible rule. My 18 and 20 year olds had their second injections just in time, so we were lucky enough to have a lovely holiday in Malta.

The only freaky thing was the literal absence of any teenagers there. Almost zero. Young children, yes, and young adults, yes, but no teens at all. A whole demographic missing.

It made for a peaceful holiday I suppose, but I felt very sorry for families with teenagers.

I hope they change the rules soon.

Yep.

So my two dcs can’t go and see their grand parents in France. And it looks like we won’t be spending Christmas with them either…..

@toobusytothink

I get that they have to test before entering back into UK but is it still day 2 PCR test and no need to isolate?

No thé issue is that with only one. vaccine, you can’t get the ‘covid passport’ in France so you can’t do anything at all. Wo the passport, you can’t

• go to a restaurant
• go to a hotel
• take the bus/train
• go into a museum
• go into big shopping mall (smaller supermarket are ok) etc etc

The stuff about the PCR is just the English side (I think Scotland has different rules)

This is what I am really cross about - they are being asked to have the vaccine pretty much to protect others but there is really no upside for them if they only get one jab (they need two). They have already had the last 1.5 years messed up at school (and in particular exams) and they can't even start to travel again (and their families can't either).

@lockdownmadnessdotcom

Portugal is only interested in tests - they don't recognise the NHS covid pass.

And Croatia and Austria won't accept anyone under 50 soon as we won't have had boosters and they are putting an expiry date on the vaccine. I think it's 270 days after the second dose.

Austria is very big on the 3 Gs - so even if they don't accept your vax status, it's easy to get tested for free. The free local test service is open to tourists with any passport (or EU/EEA/Swiss ID), you just have to sign up on line to get a QR code. It takes about 20 minutes total for an Antigen test (valid for 48 hours), and is very easy. You can also set things up to pick up and drop off home "gargle" tests at many of the big supermarket chains - it takes 24 hours to get the result, but it's valid for another 48 and you can set up a subscription to do it every day.

You can still travel to anywhere by having tests

Its only really France imposing such restrictions on activities and social life

Spain (most EU i think) etc you can all enter fine with tests and no further restrictions once there

Not really. Italy is also introducing the Green pass, and it’s pretty much like France. You can eat in restaurants outdoors without the pass (weather permitting), but museums, trains etc all need either a test every 48h which costs 15euro, or the double dose

I can’t say I would describe a system where you have to have an up to date antigen test every two days is like ‘having no restriction’ tbh…

You can do a test every two days in France too. Very easy, no need for an appointment. Will cost you about 30 euros each time.

Germany too has had the Covid pass operating - since March this year - so it's not just France. Right now tests are free for unvaccinated people but they stop being free in October. No idea how much they will cost, probably around 30 euros as well.

Can't enter anywhere Dd and I want to go unless dd has 2 jabs. I'm assuming that they will go for second jab in a few months , just waiting for more data. So many countries are closed unless you are fully vaccinated that I think they will have to allow it .

Can't enter Germany or Sweden for eg without being fully vaccinated .
No option of pcr.

@tiddlysquat

Can't enter Germany or Sweden for eg without being fully vaccinated . No option of pcr.

You can enter Germany with tests. But you then need to quarantine for 10 days. Or 5 days and additional tests.

It's true, only being fully vaccinated allows you to travel more freely.

I thought that a 12-18 un-double-vaccinated person would also have to isolate for 10 days on return to UK? This makes holidays effectively impossible for any family with teens, surely?

How about sking in Italy ? Can a teen use the lifts etc

@MrsWooster

I thought that a 12-18 un-double-vaccinated person would also have to isolate for 10 days on return to UK? This makes holidays effectively impossible for any family with teens, surely?

They don't, even right now they're exempt from isolation if coming from a green or amber country. Even more so if the adults they travel with are double vaccinated.

It's a very similar rule to that about close contact isolation. Fully jabbed and minors - exempt.

@whenwillthemadnessend

How about sking in Italy ? Can a teen use the lifts etc

I’m wondering this too. Ds’s school is hoping to take this year’s delayed ski trip to Italy in January 2022.

I can’t see it happening personally and am not spending any money on kit until much nearer the time.

@EileenGC I thought I'd read you couldn't , but that was on uk govt website so who knows!

I've just come back from France with my 12 year old. I did have to show my vaccination passport to go into restaurants but no one asked about DD. My understanding is as long as the adult is fully vaccinated then it's okay. She needed a test 24 hours before flying and one test just before flying back and one within 2 days of returning home.