Partner desperate to go abroad ...

Pollycat

lady1964 said:

Sadly, I’ve cancelled the DR trip as DH is wary of going somewhere that’s not on the exemption list yet, he doesn’t want to take the chance of it not changing by mid September as he can’t take an additional 14 days off work if quarantine is still in place on our return.
Fortunately the hotel was cancellable for free and BA will issue us with a voucher, so it’s back to the drawing board 😂

At least you booked sensibly and won't lose out by cancelling.

As for the drawing board - unfortunately somebody keeps moving it.

Hope you find a holiday that suits.

Thrugelmir

Pollycat said:

lady1964 said:

Sadly, I’ve cancelled the DR trip as DH is wary of going somewhere that’s not on the exemption list yet, he doesn’t want to take the chance of it not changing by mid September as he can’t take an additional 14 days off work if quarantine is still in place on our return.
Fortunately the hotel was cancellable for free and BA will issue us with a voucher, so it’s back to the drawing board 😂

As for the drawing board - unfortunately somebody keeps moving it.

With a drawing board you can use an eraser. Covid isn't going away anytime soon. Totally the reverse in fact. It'll be relentless in returning. 

Orville

Adamc said:

Hi all

My partner and I have our last week of annual leave in the first week of September. Unfortunately we had to postpone our wedding and honeymoon and spent almost 4 weeks at home in July as a result. 

My partner is now desperate to go abroad with our last week. I'm trying my best to deter them but had a few questions in case we decide to go away:

1. Is it possible to predict which countries are less likely to have spikes in the coming weeks?  She has suggested Malta as an option. 

2. Are there any countries to avoid? Spain comes to mind currently. But are there any others with complex testing or quarantine requirements at present that would cause too much disruption?

3. Is it better to book a package deal just in case the hotel closes or flights are cancelled? Will this afford more protection?

4. Is it possible to travel abroad and enjoy a relaxing holiday in the sun at present? 

Any tips or points to consider would be very gratefully appreciated ... Thank you. 

1. I am off to Cyprus from the 15th to the 5th. They have one of the lowest infection rates in the world which is currently around 1200. You'll both need to get  PCR test within 72 hrs of flying though (as the current rules for entry stand). You'll also need to fill in a Cyprus Flight pass within 24 hrs of flying.

2. I would def avoid Spain etc.

3. From what I have gathered it would afford more protection, however I have a number of friends who booked through TUi and they have been a nightmare for refunds etc. You take a chance either way.

4. Look at the infection rate history for any country you are thinking of going to and the location within that country. Also look for any rules to entry.

lady1964

Pollycat said:

lady1964 said:

Sadly, I’ve cancelled the DR trip as DH is wary of going somewhere that’s not on the exemption list yet, he doesn’t want to take the chance of it not changing by mid September as he can’t take an additional 14 days off work if quarantine is still in place on our return.
Fortunately the hotel was cancellable for free and BA will issue us with a voucher, so it’s back to the drawing board 😂

At least you booked sensibly and won't lose out by cancelling.

As for the drawing board - unfortunately somebody keeps moving it.

Hope you find a holiday that suits.

Thanks, have booked 9 days in Greece with a BA holiday, have checked travel insurance and it appears we would be covered if things change, however I will call them to confirm this in the next couple of days. 

Just as an FYI for others who may have received a BA refund voucher over the weekend, mine said it can be used for a flight or a holiday. I called yesterday evening & was told it can’t be used for a holiday as the original was a flight only booking but that if I booked another flight only, I would be able to get a refund on the difference. That’s not the case, when I called today to book flight only & the refund of the balance, I was told I can book a holiday but any price difference remains as a voucher. I also had to pay a £350 deposit which will be refunded to me within the next week or two.
 It’s all very fluid and seems to be changing by the day with BA and what they are allowing. My advice is to persevere with calls and be patient.

Pollycat

Adamc said:

Hi all

My partner and I have our last week of annual leave in the first week of September. Unfortunately we had to postpone our wedding and honeymoon and spent almost 4 weeks at home in July as a result. 

My partner is now desperate to go abroad with our last week. I'm trying my best to deter them but had a few questions in case we decide to go away:

1. Is it possible to predict which countries are less likely to have spikes in the coming weeks?  She has suggested Malta as an option. 

2. Are there any countries to avoid? Spain comes to mind currently. But are there any others with complex testing or quarantine requirements at present that would cause too much disruption?

3. Is it better to book a package deal just in case the hotel closes or flights are cancelled? Will this afford more protection?

4. Is it possible to travel abroad and enjoy a relaxing holiday in the sun at present? 

Any tips or points to consider would be very gratefully appreciated ... Thank you. 

10 days on from the original post, Malta is no longer on the UK exempted list wef 04:00 tomorrow so 14 days quarantine will be necessary on return to the UK.

France and The Netherlands have also been removed, plus Monaco, Turks and Caicos, and Aruba.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53773914

ginger_chocolate

Pollycat said:

10 days on from the original post, Malta is no longer on the UK exempted list wef 04:00 tomorrow so 14 days quarantine will be necessary on return to the UK.

France and The Netherlands have also been removed, plus Monaco, Turks and Caicos, and Aruba.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53

I find this completely baffling. I can catch a packed train to London, go to the gym, a restaurant, shopping on Oxford Street, followed by a pub crawl with strangers, then come back home and go to work in an office. Yet if I drive to France for a self-catering holiday in the countryside with othe rmembers of my household I have to quarantine when I get back because apparently that's dangerous? Part of me wonders if this isn't just a way to encourage people to holiday in the UK to boost the economy rather than an actual COVID prevention measure (not that I have a problem with holidaying in the UK, but the whole thing doesn't seem to have a great deal of logic behind it).

happyandcontented

Someone said exactly the same to me last night. We were in a restaurant that is only paying lip service to the rules, yet we are in an area where you can't visit a friend and sit in their garden. It is about spending money and spending it here.

Thrugelmir

ginger_chocolate said:

Pollycat said:

10 days on from the original post, Malta is no longer on the UK exempted list wef 04:00 tomorrow so 14 days quarantine will be necessary on return to the UK.

France and The Netherlands have also been removed, plus Monaco, Turks and Caicos, and Aruba.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53

I find this completely baffling. 

Seriously? Your holiday is more important than other peoples future health and the opening up of the wider economy (as far as it is possible). 

ginger_chocolate

Thrugelmir said:

ginger_chocolate said:

Pollycat said:

10 days on from the original post, Malta is no longer on the UK exempted list wef 04:00 tomorrow so 14 days quarantine will be necessary on return to the UK.

France and The Netherlands have also been removed, plus Monaco, Turks and Caicos, and Aruba.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53

I find this completely baffling. 

Seriously? Your holiday is more important than other peoples future health and the opening up of the wider economy (as far as it is possible). 

Not remotely. That's not what I said at all. Did you read the whole post?

happyandcontented

I didn't take that from the post. Simply, that the risks deemed to be too high don't seem to have any logic behind them.