Booking for 8th Dec... what do I do?!

Mumtothree82

Hello all,
My three children and I are booked to go to Egypt on the 8th December for 3 weeks. I initially booked for June in January 2020, but rescheduled to Christmas in April. Last month, our original flight was cancelled so the holiday company booked us on a flight 2 days earlier (8th Dec) before lockdown was announced but now I’m unsure what to do.

We can get tests on arrival in Hurghada (£25 each) and wait 24 hours for the results back. Obviously we would need to quarantine on return.

Holiday is currently still running with 13 days to go before we are due to fly. I don’t know what to do! Holiday insurance covers everything (I’ve checked!) except cancellation of return flight so should that be cancelled when we are there, I’d need to rebook flights and then claim it back from EasyJet. Everything else Covid related is covered. But do I risk it? We all desperately need the holiday (I am a carer to my son as he has special needs so my only break is when he is at school) but I’m feeling anxious. Like most, I can’t afford to lose what I have paid for it if I cancel and it’s classed as ‘disinclination to travel’.

Cases in Egypt are quite low in comparison to here.... some advice needed please.

silvercar

You haven’t posted anything that would suggest to me that you shouldn’t travel.

Mumtothree82

silvercar said:

You haven’t posted anything that would suggest to me that you shouldn’t travel.

Thank you Silvercar. I think I’m just doubting myself and the situation. I need to stop overthinking and go and enjoy I think!

rosiesposies

If the flights don’t cancel I agree, go! 

Pollycat

Only you can decide if you should 'risk it'.

If you can't afford to cancel because you'll lose the money you've paid, you really don't have a lot of choice.

If I were in your situation, I'd be packing my case right now.

But I would be taking as many precautions as I can for me and the whole family to minimise the risk of catching covid between now and 8/12.

That would be easy for us as we are retired, have loads of food in the house and no family commitments. Maybe not so easy for you with a child at school, but I'd still do what I could in your situation.

Westin

Another who given your story would likely start packing preparations.
Hope you have a great time! 

Mumtothree82

Thank you all so much for your views and opinions. It’s really helped me to stop self- doubting myself! 

We are certainly taking all precautions necessary at the moment and only going out for school and shopping. Otherwise we are in the house. In the situation that one of us were to get Covid before 8/12, thankfully we are covered on that with Travel Insurance through bank (cannot fault them at all).

Christmas is a horrid time for me mentally as we have no family (it’s just the 4 of us) and after losing my amazing Mum to cancer 8 years ago who loved Christmas, even just hearing a Christmas song has me in tears.

After reading everyone’s replies, I’m going to stop overthinking and re-start packing.... thank you all again 😊

sheramber

Does your insurance  cover you for travelling against FCO advice ?
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) continues to advise against all travel to:

• the Governorate of North Sinai.

The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to:

• the Governorate of South Sinai beyond the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier.
• the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, excluding the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh.
• the remainder of Egypt based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks

Mumtothree82

sheramber said:

Does your insurance  cover you for travelling against FCO advice ?
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) continues to advise against all travel to:

• the Governorate of North Sinai.

The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to:

• the Governorate of South Sinai beyond the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier.
• the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, excluding the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh.
• the remainder of Egypt based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks

Yes it does 😊 I’ve checked with them twice now and it’s definitely covered even against FCDO advice.

Thrugelmir

Only you can decide if the risk is worthwhile. Covid is a global challenge. Going on holiday isn't a total escape. Situations can rapidly change. 

Mumtothree82

Mumtothree82 said:

sheramber said:

Does your insurance  cover you for travelling against FCO advice ?
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) continues to advise against all travel to:

• the Governorate of North Sinai.

The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to:

• the Governorate of South Sinai beyond the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier.
• the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, excluding the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh.
• the remainder of Egypt based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks

Yes it does 😊 I’ve checked with them twice now and it’s definitely covered even against FCDO advice.

Although that being said, I couldn’t claim against the whole holiday cost if we didn’t go and the holiday went ahead since the warning was in place when I made the amendments in April, and the alternative flight in October (if that makes sense?). 

It does cover everything over there if needed even though FCDO advise against travel...