Is anyone feeling nervous about their 21/22 ski trip?

[StolenAwayOn55thand3rd]

I realise that I'm probably being silly. I fully recognise that covid has made me a bit irrationally anxious about crowds, busy places, etc. So on that note... We have a large and normally busy resort in France booked (booked pre covid and shifted from last year to this). We're going to a catered chalet with DH's family which includes his child free siblings who will want to go out partying.
I'm a bit worried about ski resorts being covid hotbeds this winter (remembering Whistler last year) and what will happen if we end up with it - we won't be able to travel home presumably so where will we stay? Not to mention the possibility of actually getting ill, though DH and I are both vaccinated so I know that's unlikely.
Anyway, just wondering if anyone else is having similar thoughts or if I'm being really foolish.

Cases in Italy are way lower than here at the moment. I'm hoping against hope that we can still get away at Christmas. Not just for skiing but to see DH's family we haven't seen in 2 years. It's not looking good though is it? 😢

Looks like France now needs a pre departure test.

Yep - Guardian reporting that non EU entrants into France will need a negative test regardless of vax status. No detail there about what kind of test -

www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/01/covid-news-live-who-advises-vulnerable-against-travel-over-omicron-greece-to-fine-those-over-60-who-refuse-vaccine?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with:block-61a79da38f08988db2beb60b#block-61a79da38f08988db2beb60b

[quote PatriciaHolm]Yep - Guardian reporting that non EU entrants into France will need a negative test regardless of vax status. No detail there about what kind of test -

www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/dec/01/covid-news-live-who-advises-vulnerable-against-travel-over-omicron-greece-to-fine-those-over-60-who-refuse-vaccine?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with:block-61a79da38f08988db2beb60b#block-61a79da38f08988db2beb60b[/quote]
Do we know from when? Currently sat in St Pancras awaiting departure to France 😂

Sat AM according to link posted elsewhere..

www.thelocal.fr/20211201/breaking-france-brings-in-covid-test-rules-for-all-non-eu-travellers/

Haven’t caught up with the full details yet….

Part of the issue is that they keep dropping new restrictions out of nowhere. It is not alway as simple as just take a PCR test before you go, what if you can't get a test and the result (which takes so much longer than a LFT) back in time for a flight in a few days?

This is going to be so damaging to the travel industry, how can you operate like this? I can't imagine the logistical nightmare going on behind the scenes.

Does anyone know if the French rules (thinking ahead in case they turn into an EU-wide rule - following some suggestion in the press that a co-ordinated EU approach would be decided upon next week) operate on the basis of nationality or residence. In other words, would a vaccinated EU citizen who is resident in the UK and travelling to France be required to have a negative test before travelling to France?

There’s still a bit of unpicking of what was announced going on and it might not be clear until tomorrow exactly what is required…

I think everybody gets clobbered by the test requirement, regardless of nationality, and ATM looks as if the exact test requirement (type, time window) is triggered by vaccination status and where you are traveling from, not your nationality…here’s the relevant paragraph from a Le Figaro report on the statement..

“ Les voyageurs ayant reçu leurs deux (ou trois) doses de sérum qui reviendraient d'un pays extérieur à l'Union européenne vont ainsi devoir présenter un test de moins de 48 heures à l'entrée dans le pays. Gabriel Attal n'a pas précisé s'il s'agirait d'un PCR ou d'un antigénique. Au sein de l'Union européenne, en revanche, pas de changement : pas de test exigé au retour pour les détenteurs d'une preuve de vaccination. Les voyageurs non vaccinés, eux, qu'ils reviennent d'Europe ou d'un pays du reste du monde, devront dans les deux cas présenter un test de 24 heures (contre 48 heures ou 72 heures jusqu'ici).”

Yes tests needed for France on arrival from Saturday AM.
Short time span as well which will need to be factored in.

So if you're going to France from the UK you need a test on arrival? What is the turnaround time for results, and what if you're positive? You have to isolate for 10 days in the bedroom in your chalet? Assume you're not then able to get on a packed coach, head to the airport and fly home after 7 days?

We are due to fly on 21st. It's not going to happen, is it...

@NinnyNewName This is what I’m wondering about - what happens if you get it out there?! I’m really past wanting to go. It all feels like a massive headache and we had such a lovely Christmas holiday at home last year, I just want to repeat that!

It's a pre departure test for France, there may be spot tests on arrival but won't be the norm. So if you test positive you will not be able to get on the plane in the first place. It can be either lateral flow or PCR but if lateral flow, the test must detect the "N protein" (all UK tests approved for travel should do this).

Currently then the only other test that is required is a post return "day 2" PCR test in the uk. But obviously things can change quickly.

@BlackLambAndGreyFalcon it is based on origin country not nationality, so anyone vaccinated travelling from outside the EU is subject to the new rules, irrespective of whether they are an EU citizen or not.

So if you're going to France from the UK you need a test on arrival?

No, as ferretface says the announcement made by an official government spokesman yesterday stated the requirement will be for pre-departure test, timing and type based on place of origin of your journey.

AFAIK the exact details of what will actually be required have yet to be published.

There's the legal instrument which enacts it available now: www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000044394836

Don't think the guidance is updated yet (still!) But at least this sets out the legalities.

@ferretface

Thanks for spotting that (sort of…if you get my drift).

Christmas travel France>UK>France looking highly problematic

@ferretface

There's the legal instrument which enacts it available now: www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000044394836

Don't think the guidance is updated yet (still!) But at least this sets out the legalities.

So does this mean that anyone leaving the UK to go to France will have to take a test before departure, whether they are vaccinated or not?

@ferretface I suppose I’m thinking more if someone starts coughing while we’re there!

I mean, I know that none of the recent announcements make any difference to that. I guess it’s more new variant increased cases etc etc etc…

The over 6 thing is not in Italy, Switzerland or France at the moment. It’s over 12 in those countries. Austria is the outlier in this instance, the EMA only approved it for children last week. But yes, you will have covid check for everything.

So does this mean that anyone leaving the UK to go to France will have to take a test before departure, whether they are vaccinated or not?

In a nutshell: Yes.

That was something stated in the announcement made by the Government spokesman Gabriel Attal yesterday and is reflected in the legal text.

Lots of the official websites ( e.g. The Consulate General in France, London) are now showing rules/advice as being amended right now so hopefully we’ll get an easy to read précis shortly.

@notimagain

So does this mean that anyone leaving the UK to go to France will have to take a test before departure, whether they are vaccinated or not?

In a nutshell: Yes.

That was something stated in the announcement made by the Government spokesman Gabriel Attal yesterday and is reflected in the legal text.

Lots of the official websites ( e.g. The Consulate General in France, London) are now showing rules/advice as being amended right now so hopefully we’ll get an easy to read précis shortly.

Thank you

So is Italy a more likely destination than Austria for a ski holiday at the end of December?
I am so confused with all the different requirements. I think I understand France (at the moment!).
If you were to "pick" a European ski destination that was the most likely to go ahead where would it be?

Family conference held last night regarding our trip to Austria on 20th December. Conclusion is to cancel and thus protect our money. The option to get away is still there , could book something last minute depending on how omicron spreads through Europe this next couple of weeks and how each country decides to deal with it. Seems like a reasonable solution for us , best of luck to those with decisions to make

@Hairyhat

So is Italy a more likely destination than Austria for a ski holiday at the end of December? I am so confused with all the different requirements. I think I understand France (at the moment!). If you were to "pick" a European ski destination that was the most likely to go ahead where would it be?

I'm in Italy and would hold fire for now. Northern regions (I'm in the south) are already bringing in extra restrictions beyond the national ones (new ones in force from Monday nationally) and I can only see them getting tougher before Christmas. Bear in mind all Italian over 12s have been able to be fully vaccinated since June, so they aren't going to just say "but if you're not no worries". I don't think they'll go as far as the 2G restrictions in other countries, but I'd keep a close eye. The ski resorts are desperate to stay open and get people in, so they'll do what they can to make that happen, but I wouldn't book anything yet. We aren't even booking to go from South to North for a few days until last minute in case they suddenly block travel from one region to another. Also ti be aware that some of the ski regions are the ones with highest numbers of cases and local curfews etc are already in place in some towns.