Traveling to Belgium with Eurostar

Saria

Hi, I would love some advice on what to do with my planned trip to Belgium, hopefully some of you can help me! 

So the government has just announced that anyone returning from Belgium will have to quarantine for 14 days, and advises against any non-essential travel. 
My family live in Belgium, and I am supposed to travel there on August 15, returning on August 23. I would be taking a National Express coach to London, then take the Eurostar to Brussels and lastly a normal train to my hometown. However, with this new travel guidance now in place, I am not sure what is allowed anymore.

I've already had to cancel my trip home 3 times since February, and I would hate to have to cancel it again. I'm also not sure I could still rebook/get a voucher from Eurostar, as this ticket was already booked with a voucher from a previously cancelled trip...

Am I still allowed to travel to Belgium to go see my family? Because I imagine this doesn't count as essential travel (what does count as essential?)...
When I return, I have to take a coach back to where I live as I don't drive. Would that be fine? I'd of course be wearing a face mask all the way and have anti-bac gel with me.

I know I'll have to quarantine for 14 days, which is fine as I already had been working from home for a few years anyway. But my partner (who isn't going to Belgium with me) lives in the same house. Would it be fine for me to stay in the guest bedroom, and just not be in the same room as him? The government website seems to indicate he won't have to quarantine if he didn't travel? 

What with travel insurance? I haven't gotten any yet, and I am not sure any insurance will cover me because of the government advice? Or is there any out there that will still cover me? 

I'm sorry for all the questions, I'm stressing out a bit about this and feeling quite down, as I haven't seen my family in ages (or anyone else for that matter, as I haven't really left the house since March).

Thrugelmir

I'd focus more on events in Belgium over the next week than worrying about the return yet. Cases are obviously showing a sharp increase. Who know what action the Belgium authorities themselves might take in the next week or so. The UK action wouldn't have been taken lightly. 

silvercar

Am I still allowed to travel to Belgium to go see my family? Because I imagine this doesn't count as essential travel (what does count as essential?)...

Yes, it is advisory that you don't go. You could choose to ignore the advice.

I know I'll have to quarantine for 14 days, which is fine as I already had been working from home for a few years anyway. But my partner (who isn't going to Belgium with me) lives in the same house. Would it be fine for me to stay in the guest bedroom, and just not be in the same room as him? The government website seems to indicate he won't have to quarantine if he didn't travel? 

Yes, he won't have to quarantine. You do. Within your own home you should keep apart if you can. No-one is coming into your house to police how far apart from your partner!

Saria

Thrugelmir said:

I'd focus more on events in Belgium over the next week than worrying about the return yet. Cases are obviously showing a sharp increase. Who know what action the Belgium authorities themselves might take in the next week or so. The UK action wouldn't have been taken lightly. 

I read the Belgian news every day, so I know what is happening there. The rise in cases is happening in certain regions, not in the region I would be going to. And the Belgian government has put in place new (stricter) rules and restrictions, which of course me and my family would be following. I'm just not sure if I would still be allowed to travel there or not? 

silvercar

What with travel insurance? I haven't gotten any yet, and I am not sure any insurance will cover me because of the government advice? Or is there any out there that will still cover me? 

There are some that will cover you, though some exclude corona. Ideally you want insurance that covers getting you back to the UK if you need to, with that and an EHIC card you should be fine.

sheramber

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/what-you-must-do/

Saria

silvercar said:

What with travel insurance? I haven't gotten any yet, and I am not sure any insurance will cover me because of the government advice? Or is there any out there that will still cover me? 

There are some that will cover you, though some exclude corona. Ideally you want insurance that covers getting you back to the UK if you need to, with that and an EHIC card you should be fine.

Thank you for your reply.
I'm trying to have a look for travel insurance, but I'm not sure any insurance will cover me if I travel against FCO advice?

Thrugelmir

Saria said:

silvercar said:

What with travel insurance? I haven't gotten any yet, and I am not sure any insurance will cover me because of the government advice? Or is there any out there that will still cover me? 

There are some that will cover you, though some exclude corona. Ideally you want insurance that covers getting you back to the UK if you need to, with that and an EHIC card you should be fine.

Thank you for your reply.
I'm trying to have a look for travel insurance, but I'm not sure any insurance will cover me if I travel against FCO advice?

Insurance against what in particular? 

silvercar

Saria said:

silvercar said:

What with travel insurance? I haven't gotten any yet, and I am not sure any insurance will cover me because of the government advice? Or is there any out there that will still cover me? 

There are some that will cover you, though some exclude corona. Ideally you want insurance that covers getting you back to the UK if you need to, with that and an EHIC card you should be fine.

Thank you for your reply.
I'm trying to have a look for travel insurance, but I'm not sure any insurance will cover me if I travel against FCO advice?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6173393/insurance-product-when-fco-advise-against-all-but-essential-travel