If you test positive whilst abroad

[Villanelle17]

We had booked to go to Ibiza last June for my mum's 60th. Had to move to this Summer due to covid. My mum was diagnosed with cancer last May, so spent the rest of the year having treatment. I am due to have major surgery next February, so we really want to go on holiday as it's been something to look forward to and unlikely I'll be recovered eboufh to go next Summer.
My worry is what happens if you test positive whilst out there. Do you self isolate at the hotel you're staying at? Our hotel is expensive and we've only booked 3 nights. If we had to pay for another ten nights there it would be too much money.
Not sure what to do as I would love to go but also need to consider worse case scenarios.

No idea I'm afraid - but I have been thinking the same! I am going on holiday abroad soon and am doing the test before you return - so yes, I dread to think of the cost (will be in Iceland).

I think the rules for Ibiza would be the same for Mallorca as determined by the Balearic government. Have a look online for their rules, but broadly, if you catch Covid and are staying in a hotel, you will be move to a quarantine hotel where you will have to stay until your isolation period is completed. I believe the government picks up the tab.

They obviously can't let anyone with Covid carry on as normal, but they are so keen to get tourists back, they've been working hard on having reassurances in place such as the cost of the quarantine hotel.

This is my No. 1 worry. We're due to go to an amber list country this summer and we really want to go, but I do wonder if we'll be able to relax and enjoy ourselves, when I'm so worried about one of us testing positive at the end of the holiday. Delta seems to be so easy to catch and the holiday we're due to do isn't just renting a villa and sitting by a pool, we'll be travelling around, staying in hotels, visiting things. I just don't know what to do

@Lochroy

I think the rules for Ibiza would be the same for Mallorca as determined by the Balearic government. Have a look online for their rules, but broadly, if you catch Covid and are staying in a hotel, you will be move to a quarantine hotel where you will have to stay until your isolation period is completed. I believe the government picks up the tab.

They obviously can't let anyone with Covid carry on as normal, but they are so keen to get tourists back, they've been working hard on having reassurances in place such as the cost of the quarantine hotel.

Thank you. It seems that's their policy too. I work from home so having to isolate is okay, just really don't fancy it in a hotel. Still unsure what to do.

@mrsrobin

No idea I'm afraid - but I have been thinking the same! I am going on holiday abroad soon and am doing the test before you return - so yes, I dread to think of the cost (will be in Iceland).

Yes, I know it's worst case scenario but definitely something I'm worried about.

@zafferana

This is my No. 1 worry. We're due to go to an amber list country this summer and we really want to go, but I do wonder if we'll be able to relax and enjoy ourselves, when I'm so worried about one of us testing positive at the end of the holiday. Delta seems to be so easy to catch and the holiday we're due to do isn't just renting a villa and sitting by a pool, we'll be travelling around, staying in hotels, visiting things. I just don't know what to do

It's definitely a difficult decision. I keep changing my mind. Weighing up how much I want to go against the risk of having to isolate in a hotel.

If I was going abroad (although there is no way I would chance it this year) I would make sure I had really good insurance in place before booking. Would our government really pick up the tab for a quarantine hotel stay? Seems generous. If the government did pick up the bill, it is possible (like some insurances) that you would have 10 days worth of isolation expenses to pick up, up front. Also allow for the fact that one person may test positive, then another in the party tests positive several days later, extending your quarantine by another 10 days.

Can you even get travel insurance? I was looking for something last week and it said as the foreign office was advising against travel I couldn't get cover.

I would expect huge cost and inconvenience. I would assume if one got it the whole family would be in isolation? Everyone subject to costs, new plane tickets etc

I was worried about this happening on a holiday I was on when this all kicked off in march last year and I found the whole experience unbearably stressful.

Try www.staysure.co.uk/

Very good insurance is my advice

Thank you. Going to look at staysure travel insurance. Do you think things will have improved by later this year or next year? My surgery is scheduled for March 2022

I’ve seen some resorts advertising they will pick up the bill if you can’t leave because you test positive. Mostly Caribbean. Im not planning a trip so I didn’t look into the details of what that meant.

I am less worried about the bill and more worried about being thrown into a hotel which I have no choice over in a foreign country, with my three kids potentially being separated (as not many hotels cater for families of 5!!). It's a huge blocker in my mind, and one which I am so torn over as I am so desperate to get away.

I'm concerned about self isolating if you are a close contact at a resort and being stuck in an apartment for 7 days with young kids!!

How would you know if you were positive? I thought you had to do a PCR test only before you return back to the uk? Otherwise why would you test on your holiday?

I booked! Our hotel covers all sorts of medical expenses and isolation if needed.

@Whitegrenache

How would you know if you were positive? I thought you had to do a PCR test only before you return back to the uk? Otherwise why would you test on your holiday?

Well I would hope if you got symptoms you would test? Although I’m sure the test to travel back Is done before you travel home so you would still be on holiday when you get the results and unable to travel home.

You would be out of your mind to test when on holiday. If you feel unwell stay away from others and maintain cleanliness

@Whitegrenache

You would be out of your mind to test when on holiday. If you feel unwell stay away from others and maintain cleanliness

Until you have to do your test prior to your return flight.... Surely better to find out sooner rather than later and get the clock ticking until you're free again.

We booked our own villa for this reason.....was concerned about catching Covid at an all inclusive buffet!

@Whitegrenache

You would be out of your mind to test when on holiday. If you feel unwell stay away from others and maintain cleanliness

Exactly

I imagine most places require a locator form so you might have to quarantine if someone on the plane tests positive.

Even for green countries you have to do a paid for lateral flow test before you're allowed to board the plane.

Yes I’ve been worrying about this too. Booked Majorca ages ago. Dh and I are double vaccinated but we have 2 teens. I’d been thinking more of the cost of testing but then now I’ve started worrying about the much bigger risk and impact of testing positive.