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Original poster

Travel- Why is this an issue?

32 replies

Switch82 · 05/12/2021 07:24

Having travelled over the summer abroad - we all had to have negative covid tests as part of the host nations rules. Why does it impact our travel industry if those from abroad now have to do the same to enter the UK?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59536795

It reduces the import of cases and in fact if I was travelling to the UK it would make me feel safer in the aeroplane knowing everyone had to test.

OP posts:
JollyJoon · 05/12/2021 07:37

I think the testing for travel is really dumb. You could catch covid between getting the test and arriving. You could catch covid the moment you arrive.
In the EU the rules are you need to test if you come from outside the EU (including UK), but no testing if you come from within the EU. How does that make sense? Are Greek travellers arriving in France less likely to have covid than travellers from NZ for example?

The travel testing measures are just an attempt to a) Make testing companies a bit of money and b) Uphold the travel industry while placating the electorate by being seen to be Doing Something.

whatkatydid2013 · 05/12/2021 07:41

We just cancelled a holiday to the canaries for next February as I’m not prepared to travel if we have to test to return to the U.K. am sure plenty of people can’t afford to find they can’t come home and return to work due to a positive test. In our case I’m not prepared to risk getting stuck isolating in a hotel with the kids. I’m sure lots of people feel the same and that’s how it impacts the travel industry

Ulelia · 05/12/2021 07:42

I feel the same for myself but tests can be expensive. Where I live they can 100quid each, so if you're a family of four that's a lot of money, especially when flights to the UK were only 15 quid if you booked earlier enough, so a cheap holida suddenly becomes very expensive. Tests can also be difficult to get in some places, and it's an added layer of beaurocracy that puts people off. And then there's the worry of 'if I test positive then all my plans are cancelled'.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 05/12/2021 07:47

Because it's expensive, it's a step backwards and people risk being stranded abroad.

DickMabutt73962 · 05/12/2021 07:54

Does anyone know what kind of test we need before re re-entering the UK? As that also get a the cost?

It's been infuriating that so far news channels have just been saying 'a negative covid test' but haven't stated whether it's an LFT or PCR. Has a decision not been made yet?

FavouriteMug · 05/12/2021 07:55

@DickMabutt73962

Does anyone know what kind of test we need before re re-entering the UK? As that also get a the cost?

It's been infuriating that so far news channels have just been saying 'a negative covid test' but haven't stated whether it's an LFT or PCR. Has a decision not been made yet?

I think they will accept both LFT and PCR
Ulelia · 05/12/2021 07:56

It says lateral flow or pcr here: www.bbc.com/news/explainers-52544307

rookiemere · 05/12/2021 07:57

If they genuinely want to stop the spread of the new variant, it's the right way to do it rather than let everyone on the plane and test afterwards.

However I won't be traveling again until that requirement is gone as the risk of us being stuck abroad for a minimum of 10 days, is too great with DS being in an exam year.

We were in Barcelona for a child free weekend when the regulations changed last weekend and I found it stressful and I lost my enjoyment of the break as I just wanted to get home before anything else changed. Therefore unless it gets a lot better, we'll just move on the Feb half term ski flights for yet another time.

DickMabutt73962 · 05/12/2021 08:00

[quote Ulelia]It says lateral flow or pcr here: www.bbc.com/news/explainers-52544307[/quote]
Thank you!

Tinysnickers · 05/12/2021 08:01

Because we now need 4x LF to get to France, 4 x LF to lave France and 4x PCR on day 2. Thats approaching £500 in tests. We are travelling to see family. If it was for a leisure break we'd have cancelled already.
As it is we will probably cancel. 4th set of cancelled flights for kids and their grandparents to see each other. First 3 sets were cancelled due to lockdowns. Sad

Brackenandbramble · 05/12/2021 08:04

So can you just bring a lateral flow with you from home and do it in your hotel, log it in the gov website and that's it or what exactly is the procedure. I'm struggling to find specifics on this. We're meant to go to Spain next week and I'm in 2 minds now

ineedaholidayandwine · 05/12/2021 08:06

@Brackenandbramble

So can you just bring a lateral flow with you from home and do it in your hotel, log it in the gov website and that's it or what exactly is the procedure. I'm struggling to find specifics on this. We're meant to go to Spain next week and I'm in 2 minds now
I don't think they accept the NHS ones, you have to buy a private test. You might be able to get one out there, I've heard there are loads of testing sites in tourist spots, some even visit the hotels on a set day each week
ajandjjmum · 05/12/2021 08:09

DS travelled from Sydney to London last week on a flight where all passengers had to provide official evidence of a negative PCR test and a full vaccination certificate. He then took the 2 day PCR on the day he arrived home - which was negative.

It was expensive but protected everyone. And well worth it to have him home!

Brackenandbramble · 05/12/2021 08:11

@ineedaholidayandwine thank you. We've tests booked via the travel agent for our return but just wasn't sure about the ones before travelling. Good to know

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 05/12/2021 08:52

It's all ridiculous. Flying should be treated differently from travelling overland in your own car. Why is us travelling to Feance on the tunnel, to stay in our own place, do outdoor activities, then do the return trip, any more risky than me driving to Newcastle for Christmas?

I agree with PP - it's just being seen to be doing 'something', where the something is putting money into the pockets of mates of our corrupt government.

percythewitch · 05/12/2021 09:30

Nobody has mentioned the isolating requirement in any of the above posts. That's the real kicker for us.

If entering the UK you need to isolate until you receive the result of your day 2 tests. We were only planning to be there for 4 days anyway so unless we fork out for PCR tests with a fast turnaround it's going to be pretty shit - even though we will have jumped through every hoop and will have had to present a negative test before travelling.

I have no issue with any of the requirements, but it is coming up to Christmas FFS and I would just like to be able to plan my trip in accordance with all the current rules and regulations and not be holding my breath to see if everything changes yet again or if my ferry is cancelled because so many passengers are cancelling their trips due to the new requirements.

JollyJoon · 05/12/2021 09:32

I think we are going into a time now where we will see new outbreaks and the return of testing for a few weeks before they relax again. So in cases like this where theres a new variant, postpone your travel for a month if possible. I'm guessing by mid jan the Christmas travel season will be over, omicron will be seen as "standard" and there will be another 2 month or so window in which to travel around.

notimagain · 05/12/2021 09:54

I “get” that many people like the pre-departure testing (especially if a flight is involved)..

However I very much second what @percythewitch has said- for many, especially those who you don’t live in the UK, it’s the isolation requirement, plus the need to spend often a sum bigger than the airfare to get test results quickly, that is clobbering any plans that contain travel to the UK..

As far as the industry goes it’s the lack of coherent statements from Ministers (cf. Grant Shapps….again) as much as anything else that is causing a lot of the anger and angst.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 05/12/2021 10:02

I'm cancelling overseas holidays for next year. I won't enjoy the holiday knowing regulations could change at any minute. As much as I want to go abroad it's not worth the stress.

Frazzled2207 · 05/12/2021 10:02

Nobody (including myself) will want to go if there is a real risk of being stranded abroad. The testing once home is reasonable IMO.

wannalivelikecommonpeople · 05/12/2021 10:46

The thought of isolating in a hotel for 10 days as a family puts me off going anywhere and the worry woild ruin the holiday for me

What a bummer for anyone with plans go go abroad

Montecristocount · 05/12/2021 10:49

It’s the constant rule changes though isn’t it. Just lowers confidence about travelling. Who knows what the next rule changes will be. I’m fed up of it all and desperately want to go away but nervous with how often the rules change.

Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 05/12/2021 10:54

We are going to Thailand in 2weeks. Stressed and dreading it all now. It's going to.be a restless Xmas now

Chessie678 · 05/12/2021 10:56

I would never risk having to isolate in a hotel with a toddler. Until that possibility is off the table I won’t travel abroad (and I say this as someone who loves travelling). And I wouldn’t go on a holiday which involved any time isolating anywhere. Different if you are seeing family though.

I think the travel rules make some sort of sense if there are very low rates in the country imposing them but preventing people coming from countries with similar or lower rates makes no sense to me.

Chessie678 · 05/12/2021 10:59

And agree also that the uncertainty caused by so many sudden rule changes is very off putting. The idea of landing somewhere and finding out that you are going to be spending 2 weeks in a hotel with dire food and no exercise at a cost of thousands sounds horrific to me.