Which is looking LEAST likely for this February half-term - Austria, France or Italy?

[PlinkPlankPlunk]

As a group we are all (adults) vaccinated and boosted. Several teenagers in the 12 to 15 range - they’ll all have had their second jab but if Austria, will fall into the “Ninja pass” requirement so will have to test three times during the week.

We can’t afford for any of them to test positive and the whole group have to stay on to isolate. So it looks like Austria is out of the question.

Anyone care to use their crystal ball to say whether France or Italy are going to be feasible in February? We will have to decide by next week whether we cancel and rebook, and if so, where to?!

Simon Calder has tweeted today that he is fairly confident France will be open to Brits by the weekend.

Not sure about the others.

Should be an announcement about France tomorrow, rumour is they are going to start letting Brits in again.

Thank you both! I had forgotten about Simon Calder

I imagine snowheads will have some thoughts on whether we could get tripped up by testing in a similar way, if France does open up again… I’m getting a head he just thinking about it (first world problems, I know)

Omicron moving from West to East so France most likely and Italy least likely to go ahead

That’s an interesting thought @Bahhumbugtoyoutoo It’s terrible timing for Italy and Austria as if they follow the UK pattern they’ll probably be ok in a couple of months (hopefully a good end to the ski season for them at least)

@PlinkPlankPlunk Italy looks very bad also lots and lots of covid going round in ski resorts and Hotels very good at hiding infections (of staff and guests). I would avoid all 3 countries atm but if I was to bet I would say Austria most likely and would avoid the big resorts with Apres ski!

ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2021-10-05..latest&facet=none&pickerSort=desc&pickerMetric=new_cases_smoothed_per_million&Metric=Confirmed+cases&Interval=7-day+rolling+average&Relative+to+Population=true&Color+by+test+positivity=false&country=GBR~DEU~FRA~ITA~AUT

Thanks @AdriannaP that is useful.

The worst gamble for us I think is getting stuck out there - but I have a feeling we won’t have the information we need to judge that, within the timescale we are able to cancel and rebook

Friends who went skiing in France just before the ban said that in the resorts covid was “everywhere” and there was a general understanding among the French that everyone had it
They got home and then all four tested positive the next day
At least with pre-departure tests you should get stuck, though of course ethically you probably shouldn’t fly

Yikes @Frazzled2207 that sounds bad. At least they got home (although presumably having spread it about in the plane etc)

@Frazzled2207 I hear similar from friends and family in Italy: Covid is rife in ski resorts and especially bigger Hotels will go to any lengths not to report it to health authorities for fear of inspections and being closed down.

One friend told me staff with mild Covid have been asked to come back to work with two masks on. Lots of antivaxxers about too who have fake green passes. (Also reported in press)

@PlinkPlankPlunk I think Italy just changed quarantine rules and it’s 7 days now for triple vaccinated people. In certain areas it’s hard to get PCR tests though. We just cancelled a trip after hearing all that. (Our children are too young to be vaccinated)

Austria basically has a lockdown of unvaccinated people and seems to be doing better. But covid really spread across Europe two years ago from Austria (google Kitzloch) so I would be very careful.

www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/europe/austria-ski-resort-ischgl-coronavirus-intl/index.html

We’re 2 boosted adults and 2 double vaxxed teens (13 and 16). We’re hoping to get away over half term and I’m trying to figure out where’s easiest to go - easy in the sense of no testing needed while we’re away.

The other sticking point is that Welsh u16’s can’t get digital covid passes…..

I’m getting awfully confused!

Ninja pass needed for Austria- I think kids will need to test during the week as they haven’t had boosters

Italy - super green pass - I think we’re all ok but the zones are liable to change

France - who knows what their rules may be

Spain -??

Sweden - can’t find any direct flights..

Switzerland is a good option if you can consider that

Muchtoomuch the 12-15 year olds don't need boosters to ski - just to be double vaccinated. They also don't need booster to enter from UK

In Austria I mean

I think if you are flying then anywhere is a complete gamble.

We are going to Austria end February however will be driving and our kids have just had covid (perhaps we have too but all our tests negative maybe due to fully jab and fresh booster). They caught it whilst we were skiing. It is rife. In fact all the families I know who have been skiing over school families have come back from Austria with covid. 4 different households so far. I wouldn't be going if we had to fly.

Is driving an option in any way?

Also in Austria I think 12-15 year olds who are fully vaccinated don't need ninja pass to ski. Just buy the lift pass and vaccine status is checked then. However I think under the circumstances it would be very wise to test regularly whilst skiing regardless of vaccine status

I think 12-15 year olds do need to do ninja pass even if double vaccinated if from uk because booster needed

Caper there's no suggestion if that anywhere in Austria's guidance

@reallyagain would double vaccinated kids be able to go into restaurants in Austria?

I'm pretty certain that isn't the case. To buy a ski pass you need to be 2G which means vaccinated or recovered. I was in Austria last week and I know those are the rules. To ski you don't need a booster whether you've come from UK or anywhere. The people at the lift booths don't check passports or where you've come from, just the 2G status. So a teen not double vaccinated needs a ninja pass, but if they have been double vaccinated they don't.

However since I'm not in the UK, I'm not sure what exact status is for teens to enter Austria from UK is. Perhaps double jab and a pcr which could be entered into ninja pass is needed.

Yes. Anyone only double vaccinated can go into a restaurant. Adult or teen.

I know this for a fact as on my vaccine pass it looks at first glance like I'm only double vaccinated as I had Johnson and Johnson, but I have had my booster and that is classed as my second jab. Nobody was interested in reading properly to see I was boosted when I explained.

We’re just back from 10 days in Switzerland and it was great. Under 16s don’t need to do anything. Adults need to be double jabbed and show their Covid passes to eat inside restaurants. Nothing needed for outside. We’re hoping to head to Austria for half term so I’m very interested in this thread! 🤞🏻