Topic: Holidays - UK or abroad?

[CheshireDave]

Do most countries require face masks everywhere? Was thinking of booking Dubai for next year until I saw that face masks are a requirement absolutely everywhere even outdoors. Second choice is Singapore but their borders don't seem to be open yet.

Don't know about Dubai but yes you do have to wear a mask in Singapore still. Anyone over the age of 6.

[Rahul21]

Been in sorrento since Tuesday and it’s great to be away , no checks at all on vaccination or pre flight testing at Naples airport just a fixed thermal camera on a ceiling in the passport queue , besides masks mandatory indoors it’s great to be in a bit of warm weather in a near normal holiday situation.

I thought we were required to take a lateral flow test before arriving in Italy?

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19

[gazzam1963]

I thought we were required to take a lateral flow test before arriving in Italy?

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19

We are I got a pcr test but no one seemed arsed to check , everyone in the queue had there phones out to show but all they wanted to do was swipe n stamp your passport

[CheshireDave]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58591550

Get Portugal on green please

[Riquende]

So I'm travelling to Greece for some Autumn sun, heading out on the 30th and returning on the 9th. As I understand it at the moment there are no tests to enter (doublejabbed), but coming back requires an approved LF test shortly before flying, and the PCR test on day 2 (at which point I'll have already been back to work...).

Whereabout are people getting these approved tests from? Ryanair have linked me to a provider, but no doubt it's not the cheapest option.

Is it worth getting these tests if the rules are about to potentially change? Obviously the longer I leave it, the greater the risk of things not turning up in time for travelling.

This the first time I've looked into leaving the country since the start of this whole thing so I haven't massively kept track of how all the rules have been changing.

[red_Mark1980]

For what it's worth most providers are sending them pretty quickly.

I ordered a pack last Friday and the lateral flow arrived on Tuesday.

Also it seems the PCR test shouldn't be delivered until the day you land back.

Additionally it doesn't have to be day 2 when you take the PCR. You just need to do it by day 2. Nothing to stop you doing it the day you land.

BA offered me a link for a lateral flow and PCR for £79.

Before that I'd used IQ doctor for the PCR only and that was £59

[rob1966]

So I'm travelling to Greece for some Autumn sun, heading out on the 30th and returning on the 9th. As I understand it at the moment there are no tests to enter (doublejabbed), but coming back requires an approved LF test shortly before flying, and the PCR test on day 2 (at which point I'll have already been back to work...).

Whereabout are people getting these approved tests from? Ryanair have linked me to a provider, but no doubt it's not the cheapest option.

Is it worth getting these tests if the rules are about to potentially change? Obviously the longer I leave it, the greater the risk of things not turning up in time for travelling.

This the first time I've looked into leaving the country since the start of this whole thing so I haven't massively kept track of how all the rules have been changing.

Jet2 and Easyjet both have links on their websites to providers and also discount codes.

I'd wait until after todays announcements though before booking any tests, the lists are supposed to be getting combined and PCR's binned for the double jabbed.

[Livbes]

Just back from Krakow. It’s like it doesn’t exist over there. Was in a bar that was absolutely rammed last night, like I had been transported back a couple of years.

Arriving back in the UK they didn’t want to see the locator form or scan it’s QR code. I Will do my 2 day test, if I’m ever going to get it it was last night!

[rob1966]

So I'm travelling to Greece for some Autumn sun, heading out on the 30th and returning on the 9th. As I understand it at the moment there are no tests to enter (doublejabbed), but coming back requires an approved LF test shortly before flying, and the PCR test on day 2 (at which point I'll have already been back to work...).

Whereabout are people getting these approved tests from? Ryanair have linked me to a provider, but no doubt it's not the cheapest option.

Is it worth getting these tests if the rules are about to potentially change? Obviously the longer I leave it, the greater the risk of things not turning up in time for travelling.

This the first time I've looked into leaving the country since the start of this whole thing so I haven't massively kept track of how all the rules have been changing.

Coming back now you'll not need to do the test in Greece, you'll still need the PCR test though, these aren't being replaced with a Lateral Flow until the end of October.

The international travel traffic light system is being simplified in England with a single red list, as part of an overhaul of the rules from 4 October.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also said eight countries would be taken off the red list from Wednesday.

It means people returning from places such as Turkey will no longer have to stay in hotel quarantine.

And PCR tests will no longer be required for fully vaccinated travellers returning to England.

Under the new testing regime, people who have had both jabs will not need to take a pre-departure test before leaving any country not on the red list.

And Mr Shapps said later in October, they would be able to replace the day two PCR test with a cheaper, rapid lateral flow test.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58602481

[red_Mark1980]

Thank god it's not happening until October. I'd be mad as hell

[CraigDS]

Fuerta booked in Feb. Was cancelled this year so fingers crossed it goes ahead this time.

[Jm55]

So the pre-departure lateral test has been ditched as well?

So it’s low just a 2 day lateral flow test upon returning to the country? Does anyone know if this has to be paid for of if the NHS ones can be used?

[rob1966]

So the pre-departure lateral test has been ditched as well?

So it’s low just a 2 day lateral flow test upon returning to the country? Does anyone know if this has to be paid for of if the NHS ones can be used?

Have to use the private paid for ones. Fucking joke as we could have paid the NHS for tests and pumped money back into that, but no its got to go to private Tory donors.

Jet2 emailed tonight to say our holiday to Cyprus is going ahead - hotel is shut so love to see how that works. Want to go now, so fuckers better sort something out ASAP.

[CraigDS]

Have to use the private paid for ones. Fucking joke as we could have paid the NHS for tests and pumped money back into that, but no its got to go to private Tory donors.

Not sure NHS has the capacity to do it without it hitting other services too.

[rob1966]

Not sure NHS has the capacity to do it without it hitting other services too.

Drunken rant

[rob1966]

Missus is trying to get hold of Jet2, we know for a fact that the hotel in Cyprus is closed, prices are shooting up so we want the fuckers to confirm that either we've got another comparable hotel or them to cancel so we can book somewhere else.

[67CherryRed]

Looking quite warm in the Canary Islands at the moment

[Too early for flapjacks?]

Has anyone got any experience of going on holiday with less than 6 months left on your passport? I've got some enforced leave coming up at the end of September and was thinking of taking a last minute trip to the south of Europe. Reading the government website it clearly states you should have 3 months of your passport but when you fill out their form that tells you whether you should travel or not it says you should have at least 6 months. My passport expires in March, exactly 10 years after it was issued. All a bit confusing.

[TSC]

Has anyone got any experience of going on holiday with less than 6 months left on your passport? I've got some enforced leave coming up at the end of September and was thinking of taking a last minute trip to the south of Europe. Reading the government website it clearly states you should have 3 months of your passport but when you fill out their form that tells you whether you should travel or not it says you should have at least 6 months. My passport expires in March, exactly 10 years after it was issued. All a bit confusing.

Need at least 6 months travelling to Europe

[Too early for flapjacks?]

The EU say 3 months after the date you intend to leave.

If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:

-valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting,
-which was issued within the previous 10 years,

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

[TSC]

The EU say 3 months after the date you intend to leave.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

You should be ok then.  The UK site says 6months but that’s to allow for a stay of up to 3 months (max period of stay post Brexit).

[rob1966]

You should be ok then.  The UK site says 6months but that’s to allow for a stay of up to 3 months (max period of stay post Brexit).

Another Brexit win.

[rob1966]

Looking quite warm in the Canary Islands at the moment

Saw this last night, first time in 50 years - could fuck up a few flights to Tenerife and Gran Canaria.  Saw some Americans that are panicking that the Eastern seaboard is going to get destroyed.

[Riquende]

Looking quite warm in the Canary Islands at the moment

Cool. Was thinking about heading there first week of November. Just like we were planning to head to Evia and then it caught fire.

Word of warning guys, apparently if I look at hotels on Booking.com for an area it spontaneously combusts.

[Crosby Nick]

We’re meant to be going to Tenerife at the end of October. Can it not blow up before then please.

[rob1966]

We've just had our hotel switched on Cyprus, so holiday is still going ahead end of Oct. Now to sort PCR for the lad.

[67CherryRed]

Cool. Was thinking about heading there first week of November. Just like we were planning to head to Evia and then it caught fire.

Word of warning guys, apparently if I look at hotels on Booking.com for an area it spontaneously combusts.

I seem to have a similar gift, a few years ago during a heatwave I told colleagues in work that it's so hot the grass outside might end up on fire - literally 5 minutes later we had flames outside the office and the fire brigade were called.

[RedSince86]

Great news breaking just now, USA relaxing some restriction from UK passengers starting from November, will be announced tonight.

So far fully vaccinated passengers will allowed.

Really want to go at Xmas/new year but seems nothing yet announced about kids.

[red_Mark1980]

Great news breaking just now, USA relaxing some restriction from UK passengers starting from November, will be announced tonight.

So far fully vaccinated passengers will allowed.

Really want to go at Xmas/new year but seems nothing yet announced about kids.

It's too late for me for Chicago. But I'd personally wait until they define what a fully vaccinated person is.

As I understood it, they won't count the AZ jab as they don't use it

[gray19lfc]

Does anyone know how to check which destinations you can fly to direct from Manchester?

[rob1966]

Does anyone know how to check which destinations you can fly to direct from Manchester?

https://www.justtheflight.co.uk/cheap-flights-from-MAN/

[El Lobo]

The missus parents have the Maldives booked for the end of October (switched from a cruise which was cancelled earlier this year) and are currently sweating and panicking as its due to move onto the amber list soon and they were banking on it being cancelled! I'm guessing once we move to a red list and a green list, it could still go on either one?

[rob1966]

The missus parents have the Maldives booked for the end of October (switched from a cruise which was cancelled earlier this year) and are currently sweating and panicking as its due to move onto the amber list soon and they were banking on it being cancelled! I'm guessing once we move to a red list and a green list, it could still go on either one?

The way I'm reading it it's no, they'll be on the green list. That will be why they are moving it to amber on Wednesday, as they are merging the amber and green list into a single list.

[UntouchableLuis]

As it stands we will be one of the last who need to get a PCR test when we come back (Gran Canaria - 16-25th october). I think they're changing it to lateral flows 'late October' so don't know if we'll be a few days too early.

[rob1966]

As it stands we will be one of the last who need to get a PCR test when we come back (Gran Canaria - 16-25th october). I think they're changing it to lateral flows 'late October' so don't know if we'll be a few days too early.

They did say in time for the school holidays, when is your half term?. We fly out 20th, our kids break up 22nd and we fly back 27th.

[Jm55]

US reopening to U.K. residents who have been double vaccinated.

[RedSince86]

US reopening to U.K. residents who have been double vaccinated.

Also added they will be exceptions to Children who are not eligible to be vaccinated.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

It's too late for me for Chicago. But I'd personally wait until they define what a fully vaccinated person is.

As I understood it, they won't count the AZ jab as they don't use it

That’s not confirmed is it? I thought they were accepting AZ as it’s on the WHO list?

Is AZ the most common in Britain? Be strange to agree to opening up to the UK for them to say no to AZ wouldn’t it?

[CheshireDave]

Anyone used Excalibur Healthcare Services COVID tests?

[red_Mark1980]

That’s not confirmed is it? I thought they were accepting AZ as it’s on the WHO list?

Is AZ the most common in Britain? Be strange to agree to opening up to the UK for them to say no to AZ wouldn’t it?

Yeah there's been some more details than we initially received.

The white house pushed the decision to the FDA and they said any vaccine on their list OR the WHO list would count.

I'd read around 23m of us had AZ in the UK