Are you still skiiing in France before Christmas?

[ncski]

More specifically, as a family with double vaccinated adults and at least one single-vaccinated teen that's going to need to test every day, are you still going for it?

We're due to depart at the weekend. Whole family recently recovered, not that we can evidence that for the teen in Europe. I think I've got my head around all the testing, but it's the (tiny?) prospect of one of us testing positive whilst we're over there, having to quarantine, vast extra expense, missing Christmas back home etc, that's giving me the vapours.

Please tell me you're gung ho, it'll all be fine, and you'll have a great time....

surely if you're recently recovered from Covid there would be a greater chance of someone testing positive? which would doubtless cause all sorts of issues
you're usually advised not to do another PCR within 90 days of testing positive. Are you within that window?

ncski - we are hoping to go pre christmas too and feeling the same. Adults all double vaccinated - will have had booster by the time we go -but younger teens can't get their second in time.

There is a gov meeting in France today apparently - so that might make things clearer.

We keep swinging between complete positivity to thinking it is insane and we just can't go... The constant changing rules mean we can't really make firm plans for anything.

@ClosedAuraOpenMind - theoretically yes, but all outbound pre-departure, in resort, and inbound pre-departure tests can be antigen, and are apparently much less likely to be "false" post infection positives. We are within the 90 days. We've done some LFT's and negative. The only test that must be PCR (to my understanding) is the day 2 test back in the UK. Frankly at that point, if we have to quarantine at home for Christmas I can live with that.

@Isithalftermyet Exactly our dilema! We're at the point today where we feel we need to either bail, or finally commit, book tests, etc.

We're meant to be going on Boxing Day. I can't get my head around all the testing needed let alone anything else. I just wish I knew now if it will happen rather than at the last minute. We're driving so no flights being cancelled to worry about but the cost of this all is spiralling. When we booked we really thought this would all be over! Won't make that mistake again.

Joining in as we are going over NY and in a similar boat. a teen who has had one jab but we can't prove our so will have to test daily. A 10 year old who has got Covid atm 🙄 (but at least that will be out of the way) and two parents who are fully jabbed. After much faffing and flapping we have decided all we can do is be as zen as possible and go with the flow...

I wouldn’t be too fussed about the extra tests. More about what the experience there would be like. Eg in Switzerland some think they are going into full lockdown soon. Difficult to tell really! I also think if you are the kind of person who can put worries to one side then you can actually enjoy the experience even if it is not 100 per cent perfect.

My son has a letter from his GP with details of his Covid infection date (six weeks ago), and recovery, to be shown if there's any issue with a negative PCR on return to the UK. I think it cost £30.

DP planning to leave this weekend for France via Geneva. I'm getting daily reports from him on the testing regime changes! God I hope he gets there - he'll be a bear with a sore head if he misses skiing for a 2nd year!

@oneglassandpuzzled that's a good point, thanks. We have a similar stamped GP document showing the positive test and date.

We’re not going.
2 vaxed parents (one triple jabbed) and 2 single jabbed teens. None of us have had covid as far as I’m aware (we’re doing regular LFT’s).
In all honesty with the rates in school still high, we couldn’t honestly sign the French declaration.

Having to isolate on return isn’t a consideration . It’s the worry of daily testing for the dc and consequences of one of us testing positive out there that is too much for us to risk.

I guess if you’re driving that lowers the risk considerably.

It seems quite confusing what aspects will be enforced once there. For instance the reports are now saying you’ll need to show your “carte sanitaire” passes on the ski lifts - will negative tests be enough?
It’s expensive and tricky. We were supposed to go over Xmas but aren’t now.

@Muchtoomuchtodo - agree, it's the consequences of testing + in resort that are our biggest worry. Our mitigation is not driving, but that we've all had Covid already.

@NOTANUM - My understanding is that the pass sanitare will be needed for lifts/restaurants etc, so basically essential. For us the NHS QR codes will work, and not needed for under 12's. But for a single jabbed & recovered teen they'll need to be testing (negative) every 24 hours. I'm expecting another ~£120 for that.

What tests are you using to get into France? They say that you can't use self-administered LFTs whose results "are not certified by a laboratory", but does this mean you can use a home test where you then upload a picture of the result to get you're fit to fly certificate. Or does it really have to be an actual in-clinic test?

Skiing in Austria on 17th December
Yes, I know what were we thinking when we booked and paid for up front a hotel in austria. 2 rooms. If the lockdown isn’t extended, I’m still considering going as I won’t get a refund. I understand there is a risk of testing positive and having to isolate. Anyone still going, in the same position?

@IsThisNameTaken

What tests are you using to get into France? They say that you can't use self-administered LFTs whose results "are not certified by a laboratory", but does this mean you can use a home test where you then upload a picture of the result to get you're fit to fly certificate. Or does it really have to be an actual in-clinic test?

We're going to a testing site to get results in 2-3 hours. Silly expense but I just didn't want to risk getting the wrong test when so much conflicting advice about?!!

@IsThisNameTaken those tests are fine.

@abricotine have you got anything to share that says that for lateral flows, as I can only find that the self swab ones that you send a photo to get the certificate like randox are not good enough for going to France (but are for lots of other countries and I think coming back into UK) - instead has to be either antigen done at a clinic or drive thru where someone does the swab on you or some of the ones that supervise you over video call for the test/swab bit.

We’ve booked an in clinic one, was surprised there was one near us as rural and isn’t much different on price. Then thinking ordering the cheaper lateral flow ones that are via photos for coming back or do one in resort

@Hophop26 I can't see anything that says they're not allowed, just that nhs ones that you input the result yourself aren't (which makes sense and shouldn't be used for travel anyway).

Our travel plans before flying are very complicated and it would be so much easier to use an 'at home' test - I'm not so much bothered by the expense (obviously not ideal though!) as the logistics of getting where we need to be and getting tested in time. Ds is only single vax and so the test needs to be within 24hrs of travel.

We are going to france for Christmas. Our children are primary age and cases are starting to rise. I'm worried about being stuck out there if one of us gets Covid during the holiday! My husband is so laid back he's horizontal, so he doesn't get my anxiety over ll the uncertainty! We are doing an overnight boat and driving and other extended family members are flying - all staying in a house together when we get there.

We are in almost exactly the same boat as Pebbles except going for NY. My big worry is one of us getting it out there and not being able to get home. DD got COVID on holiday in the UK and it was beyond miserable, but at least we could get her home. I would feel a lot less worried about infection in resort if it was just our nuclear family but extended family are going to be wanting to take full advantage of whatever apres ski exists at the moment… also coming in on planes through multiple hubs…

@IsThisNameTaken I've ordered app certified rapid antigen tests with a 12 hour result from c19testing. going to be hell for my already shredded nerves!

so the in resort and returning ones can be antigen tests? just teh pre-departure and day 2 have to be PCR?

thanks @ncski -that one looks good, they specifically say in FAQs that they are valid for France so fingers crossed ...

@Sonex pre-departure can be antigen. Day 2 is the only one that's mandatory PCR.

That's right, and not only can it be antigen, but it should be antigen if you're recovered from Covid. For our France trip at least, the Day2, back in the UK, test is the only PCR.

I hate to break this to you but I think it change last weekend. DH was meant to be flying to Toulouse on Sunday morning with EasyJet and hie and a load of other British people were refused entry as they only had antigen/lat flow pre-departure tests. Only people with PCRs were allowed on the flight as apparently that is all French border control will accept as of midnight Saturday now.

He had to go from Gatwick to Heathrow and pay extra for a 4 hour PCR pre-departure test and then get the Eurostar the next day.