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Coronavirus Board

Threads from the Coronavirus support boards. Support, help, travel, and positivity

Country moves Amber to Green - Does it apply retrospectively?
My sister-in-law just landed from an Amber list country that’s moving to the Green list on Monday. Obviously she’s following the Amber list rules, but from Monday morning, can she switch to following the Green list rules? Or does she have to continue the full 10-day Amber isolation?
Chronomics testing via Tui
Hi has anyone used the service offered by TUI with Chronomics with departure test drop off at the local travel store?
Fully vaccinated entering portugal. Test needed?
The UK government website says you can enter Portugal without a test if you have an EU digital certificate but makes no provision for NHS certificates. I checked the guidance for France and it explicitly says that NHS certificates are accepted; not so for Portugal. The Independent says that NHS certificates are accepted.…
Has testing changed recently?
my partner has just been pinged by the app aying she was close to someone who tested positive for covid over the weekend (we were at a small music festival). Ive had about 4 PCR tests over the last year at a local drive thru site, and got the result back the next day by email and text. We cant find the location anymore, so…
4 day trip abroad
Hi..so I'm leaving Friday afternoon and coming back Monday. Can I take the predepature test on the Friday morning to use when I return? To me the gov website isn't clear on the timings. Thank you!
Spain
I'm thinking (perhaps foolhardily) of going to Seville in October to visit some friends and, under the current guidance, I know that I just need to have the app to show that I am double vaccinated on arrival. However, on returning I need to have been tested but I am seeing conflicting information about when the test has to…
Forced to Quarantine - pay advice
Morning, I work for a small company who are in the motor trade. I have recently (Monday 23/8) come into contact with a customer who has, since meeting me, tested positive for Covid. I have received both vaccines so no longer need to isolate after coming into contact with a positive case unless showing signs of the virus. I…
Lastminute.com partial refund offer
We booked a long weekend in Austria as they are on our green list. We didn't realize until 2 days later that Austria will not let us in because of covid, so we cancelled our booking 2 weeks before due to depart. They have offered just over half the money but there is no way that they have lost out except for some admin…
MIDDLE NAME ON PASSPORT
Hi everyone on my passport it has a middle name but on my NHS app ie vaccine proof it just has first name and surname anyone experienced any problems iv asked doctors surgery to add my middle name but wont be done in time cant take the risk so will have to get PCR test even tho iv took the government vaccine any 1 had same…
PCR test day 2 on arrival back to uk.
Hello, Im making heading to Germany on Monday (sooner than planned)as my father is seriously ill. I need some clarity on this. Before I travel do I need to show evidence at departure to Germany that I have a PCR test booked for day 2 after my arrival back to the UK? or do I book this from Germany and show on arrival to the…
Eurofins Day 2 test, Warrington Drive through...
I've just got off the 'Trustpilot' site, where as usual 1 Star seems ridiculously generous for this shower. Day 2 test booked for an Amber passenger double vaccinated. Test taken on the 18th August, still awaiting result after 6 days. It's obvious from the background noise and chatter from the customer services office,…
Travel insurance to cover accomodation if flights cancelled
Hi . Hopefully going to Greece in October. Villa company allows free cancellation until one month before however I'm concerned ( as has happened to me in past ) that easyJet will cancel flights less than one month before holiday. Easy jet will refund flights but does anyone know an insurer that would reimburse accomodation…
Lateral Flow Test to arrive back in UK
So as per the Government website Ive seen companies charge £29 for a LFT, where you send off a picture of the result, with your passport pic and they send a certificate to travel. The tests they send out seem to be the same ones you can get on the NHS for free. Are they just the same thing?
PCR travel test providers given official warning amid concerns over harmful practices
PCR Covid test providers have been told by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to clean up their practices amid concerns they may be breaking consumer law. An open letter has been written by the watchdog identifying a number of "harmful" practices, which it says it will further investigate... Read the full story…
Rebate delays and 5th Self Employed grant
Hi everyone My tax rebate was completed by my accountant and submitted months ago. I was given mid July as my rebate payment date by HMRC on my Gateway login. I still haven't recieved my rebate. I have called several times but when I do manage to talk to someone they just say they are behind due to Covid etc and cannot…
Randox Quietly Remove DX Drop Off Option
As many of you know Randox drop-off boxes can involve an hour round trip. But the company provided a DX Courier label which enabled people to drop off in a location much closer to their home. Without warning or any announcement, the company has stopped sending the DX label and removed the option from the website without…
Transit through Italy
My son is travelling from Austria via Milan to Manchester. he's confused about the passenger locator form. Will he need to complete 2? One for Austria to Milan and one Milan to Manchester? Any help appreciated?
Booking a red list country
Can anyone clarify for me please. If I book a holiday with TUI for next year to a country that is currently on the red list and it is back on the red list at the time of travel will i be able to get a refund for the trip? Or would I be penalised as it was red at the time of booking?
AirBnB insisting we spend credit this year
Hi everyone We had booked and paid a week away in Ireland with friends (approx £650) for July 2020. Due to Covid-19 that holiday wasn't able to happen. AirBnB didn't give us the money back but credited the account and said that we needed to place a booking by December 2021 for something else to not lose the money but that…
Day 2 testing for children under 11?
So, I understand that there is no testing for children under 11 while away and before return to the UK. But apparently all children over 4 yo must still have a PCR test on day 2 returning from an amber list country, in this case Spain. This kind of sticks in my throat a little. Last time I travelled back and did a day 2…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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