Are people who live in England planning to visit family in Ireland this summer?

[TheYearOfSmallThings]

I was feeling optimistic but Delta variant is making me less so. I'm fully vaccinated but would still have to isolate 5 days, DS(6) is of course not vaccinated.

I'm also not sure how people in Ireland feel about those flying in from London? Is it a dick move?

And if we fly to NI and lure my parents up to holiday with us, would they have to isolate on returning home?

@OtterL would the COVID email not be proof within 180 days

I know the free PCR test after 5 days isn't now mandatory but we might still do it before going to visit people.
I presume this will still be available?

@WeatherToday not sure maybe part of why they reduced the testing was the pressure it could put on the system. I’m bringing lateral flows with us.

Yeah, thanks @MegCleary
We'll bring those as well

Thanks Megcleary, I m not sure - Stenaline said they didn’t know what would be sufficient when I mailed them to ask which was not hugely helpful. We haven’t been since December 19 so not wishing to
leave anything to chance! I might Mail them the positive COVID email this week and ask them to confirm in writing that is sufficient - other than a letter from the doctor, not sure how else we could evidence it.

Lots of people asking the Irish embassy in London What to do. They are on twitter. Dec 19 here to so I know your fear

Anyone know about passengers locator from, travelling back to Ireland in august and just filled in passengers locator from and it asked how many children travelling with you so I ticked one ( my 12 year old) but it didn't ask any details about child like name etc?
Does this mean I don't need to fill out a separate form for her ? Can't find any info about it

@kissmelittleass

Anyone know about passengers locator from, travelling back to Ireland in august and just filled in passengers locator from and it asked how many children travelling with you so I ticked one ( my 12 year old) but it didn't ask any details about child like name etc? Does this mean I don't need to fill out a separate form for her ? Can't find any info about it

Same happened to me. I am assuming ok unless someone else knows more.

Another question, does anyone know exactly where these checks take place? I am assuming in the UK if you are flying, maybe at the boarding gate? Or check in?
Are they checked again on the other side?
Just thinking about all that could go wrong with PCR tests for children and me proving vax status.

OP just to give you some context, I work and live outside Enniskillen, and work in Dublin 1 day a week. Travel up and down, never checked, never caught Covid and usually only stop the once in Cavan or Athlone for a wee if I’m really stuck. Not been checked by a Gardai since last September! If your parents were up for the trip, people are really being very sensible in the West of NI - a cottage or hotel here I feel would be safe enough if that worked for a compromise?

And also for context, two family members went two weeks ago to England. Drove Fermanagh to Belfast, ferry to Cairnryan, drove to TORQUAY via London and met up with family. Then did the return journey. No checks, no tests, masks on the boat but that was it!

The thing is Capricorn I know you're right, and the reality is we could just go and it would be fine.

But my parents are very by-the-book people, and Covid has increased their natural caution to almost Mumsnet-like levels, so basically unless we can make it to Dublin in a 100% compliant way, they would rather we don't go, nor will they nip up north, as they see it as a seething cess pit of Delta.

As an update to how you prove “recovery”, I mailed the Irish embassy today who said if my 12 year old has another pcr test, and that’s negative - and I forward both the 1st (positive) and 2nd ( negative) PCR tests to them, the Irish embassy will write me an exemption letter for him that I can provide to the ferry company. So we need him to have a PCR test in any case.

Interesting

@theyearofsmallthings I feel your pain. When I thought we wouldn't meet the requirements to go south legally I suggested we get a hotel in Belfast and parents come up (from a border county). You would have thought I was asking my dad to drive to hell. Luckily I think we're all good. Ferry to Belfast drive south, I've got the pcr tests for kids sorted ( over 12 under 17) and I'm double vaccinated. That's if nothing changes by Sunday. There were great deals on hotels in belfast probably as less business travelers. There was not a holiday courage to be found in the rest of NI as far as I can see. Certainly none that would meet my parents exacting standards.

I think if you don't have Irish connections you really underestimate the level of caution and to a degree fear of covid in the south.especially for the older generation.

My mum says now she's looking "there's English registered cars everywhere"'.

I look forward to driving my English registered car around for a few weeks and probably getting egged.

In a border area nobody will notice. Lots of English reg cars in northern Ireland. Further south and rural you will probably be the talk of the town. I'm getting excited now. It's been a long eighteen months.

I’ll be fairly far south. Have a job in Cork

As I drive to my parents in the arse of the west of Ireland the townie ring mammy to tell her to put the kettle on I’m nearly home #rural #englishcar

@Covidisdrivingmecrazy

I think if you don't have Irish connections you really underestimate the level of caution and to a degree fear of covid in the south.especially for the older generation.

I agree,my parents are shadows of their former selves from living in fear. I have finally booked flights and while pleased I can tell they are a bit concerned that I'm going to being the plague of the Johnson variant with me.

my parents are shadows of their former selves

Mine too. They are in their 70s and I don't think they will ever get back to where they were in terms of their social lives. Any time I mention that someone is doing something they could also do but are choosing not to, they say "well they must be mad", and they say it with complete confidence that no sensible person could disagree.

These are people who were hiking the Pyrenees two years ago.

For those of you making plans for this summer, are you taking any precautions to avoid having to cancel at the last minute due to getting pinged or worse?

I have suggested we all minimise our contacts for a week or so before we are due to go - which is not going down well with the 17 year old... Of course it’s perfectly reasonable for us to pay for an extra flight so he can come back early to self-quarantine before going to a festival.

I took the children out of school and reduced ahem banned all contact week before we go