Anyone else wondering whether to cancel a December holiday?

[cloudtree]

Aaaggh! We haven’t been away for two years and are due to fly to Mexico on 10th, coming back on 23rd but would now have to self isolate until pcr results were back which means in all likelihood it would mean we couldn’t see family at Christmas. I don’t know what to do.

Likelihood of things getting worse in the next four weeks also seems quite high to me

@Theredjellybean

I've just booked day 2 return pcr tests at drive through at Heathrow for £39.59 with results in 12 hrs.. We ger back from holiday on 23 Rd and want to spend Christmas with family

@Theredjellybean can you tell me who this is with? Cheapest I can find is £59. Thanks!

@SagittariusDwarf
Was that the case in October? We must have misunderstood but that's useful to know for future travel (unless it changes again!). At the time it seemed madness as we were out and about and working before we did our test. The SI makes more sense but useful if you can book on day of return .

Yes it's always been the case

Not that I've actually ever been able to make use of the airport testing places as were always closed by the time my flights landed, but useful for people with more civilised arrival times!

[quote shinynewapple21]@SagittariusDwarf
Was that the case in October? We must have misunderstood but that's useful to know for future travel (unless it changes again!). At the time it seemed madness as we were out and about and working before we did our test. The SI makes more sense but useful if you can book on day of return . [/quote]
It's always been the case. Despite the name of "day 2 test" you can actually take it any time from arrival up until day 2. Day 2 is the latest when it can be taken. We took our tests in the summer on day 1 (although there was no SI requirement then so it didn't make too much practical difference).

@cloudtree could you book onsite testing at the airport when you return? There's ones offering same day results as they process onsite rather than send off to a lab. More expensive obviously but better than changing your holiday.

It's really though call isnt it? Personally I dont need to go abroad and dont feel safe money or time wise to risk it right now either.

I have family in Thialand and they was getting an internal flight. One of the kids ( pre teen) tested positive and was shipped off from the airport into immediate self isolation in a private hospital for two weeks. Totally on her own, no parents allowed. That was really upsetting for the family and it's really really put me off travelling. Three of my kids have sen and I think they would be traumatised by that.

I guess one day I'm getting either a fantastic holiday or some major house improvements with the cash I'm saving

Currently tests are by day 2 not on day 2 so you could do them at the airport pn arrival potentially. But I would have frozen emergency food!!! ( I've got a 3 bird roast, roast potatoes, veg and a Christmas pudding just in case anyway, we'll have it New Year's Day if all does go to plan!)

Eurofins...

We’ve just changed ours to February half term but might actually cancel it altogether

We are due to go to the Caribbean in the new year. Sitting it out for now.

For those heading to Spain, I’ve just spoken to Jet 2 as we are due to go to Tenerife and they said the advice relating to needing to be double jabbed is incorrect. Entry is still double jabbed or negative PCR. For now anyway.

It’s is Rshard

It changes from 1 Dec it’s on gov website for Spain entry

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements

You can see two sets of rules which change 1st Dec

@Rshard

For those heading to Spain, I’ve just spoken to Jet 2 as we are due to go to Tenerife and they said the advice relating to needing to be double jabbed is incorrect. Entry is still double jabbed or negative PCR. For now anyway.

jet 2 clearly haven't got the memo yet. Check out the UK government guidance posted above. Double jabbed or negative pcr is up to 30th November only.

I pointed that out and they reiterated that the advice is incorrect 🤷🏻‍♀️

@cloudtree did you have to pay the difference? We are due to fly to Egypt on the 10th with TUI but due to it being technically in Africa it seems a huge risk.

Sat on a beach in Mexico as I type. Rules have changed whilst we are here and now have to PCR and isolate for results. Tbh it hasn't bothered us really but may well have done if it was closer to Christmas. I think you need to do what you feel is best so I don't blame you for postponing x

I know a couple of people who have booked a holiday for December, and they are still going - as far as I know. Batshit IMO. There's still time for them to be cancelled tbh, if things get worse.

I won't be planning a holiday abroad ANY time soon, not for at least 3 years probably. and I haven't had a holiday abroad for 2 years either. In fact, most people haven't!

And reading this thread, I thank my lucky stars every day, that everyone I love lives within 30 miles of me.

We were going to Latvia on the 9th for 3 nights but have decided to cancel it. Lost the flight money but I can get over that. Everything is just so uncertain at the moment.

@SnekkinOnDown

We were going to Latvia on the 9th for 3 nights but have decided to cancel it. Lost the flight money but I can get over that. Everything is just so uncertain at the moment.

Wise. Could end up costing a LOT more than the flight money. If you have to self isolate in a hotel of the Government's choice for 10days, it could cost an extra 2 grand. And/or you could end up having to have time of work, and losing wages too.

I would cancel now. It is too uncertain. Only a matter of time before countries start restricting entry.

@drpet49

I would cancel now. It is too uncertain. Only a matter of time before countries start restricting entry.

This. ^ Things can change on the spin of a coin. There's no 4 weeks notice or countdown; they do it straightaway (or within 96 hours...)

Do you think there’s a high chance all countries will close borders or ask for 2 days of quarantine on entering as it definitely will be cancelled then!
Switzerland has just banned entry to UK citizens who are not Swiss residents. Swiss residents returning from the UK (and Belgium, among other countries) will need to test negative and do a 10 day quarantine. I think its possible that more countries will bring in measures like this. I'm hoping to travel from Switzerland to Ireland for Christmas, but am not at all confident it will be possible

www.thelocal.ch/20211128/switzerland-bans-all-uk-citizens-and-residents-arriving-from-uk/