Getting home after testing positive abroad 10 August 2021 at 7:23AM in Coronavirus travel help & info 24 replies 1.4K views

Sandtree

lisyloo said:

Sandtree said:

BASHED said:

 he was told he would need to quarantine for 10 days in Greece and that he would be collected to go to a quarantine hotel but nobody has come for him yet. 

Who told him this? Isolation is mandatory, a quarantine hotel isnt unless the authorities tell you so according to the FCO.

So it could all hinge on whether the hotel can accommodate him?
I would guess the government facility provides when hotels cannot accommodate people (for example they are full with other bookings).

These things can go very different ways... either the default is you go to quarantine hotel unless you can argue you have a suitable alternative or the other extreme is that the quarantine hotel is only for the last resort and if you've funds you're expected to pay for accommodation elsewhere. 

The FCO site simply says its down to the greek authorities without giving any indication of which path its on

Ben1989

Does he have symptoms? I'd be tempted to try another test.

michael1234

Horrible situation Bashed.

I would like to know if the antigen tests are likely to test negative after a 10 day period? Presumably you need a negative one of those to get back?

I do hope you let us know what happened - hopefully on a good note.

MoJoeGo

BASHED said:

Yes, it was a package holiday but doesn't appear to be a rep in resort, just a help team based in the UK.  Travel insurer has been contacted - been given details on how to claim once he's home but they can't do anything beyond that, basically we are in the hands of the Greek authorities.  My instinct too was to fly out there but then I'd hit all the testing hurdles to leave the UK and re-enter the UK, I could even end up testing positive trying to return too, so head is trying to over rule heart on that one. Off to make more calls.....Thanks again.

My eldest has just come back from Croatia and I was surprised to hear they had no rep either despite it being an EasyJet package. Anyway, assuming you're double jabbed and have proof, you don't need a test to go to Greece - just looking at flights, there are cheap ones there if needed (eg £38 out of STN with Jet2 first thing tomorrow)... hopefully a last resort but at least it's possible.

Good luck.

elsien

MoJoeGo said:

silvercar said:

Are his travel companions isolating with him or are they getting on the original flight and coming home?

I would have thought they would need to isolate as well, given they are close contacts. But I'm not an expert on Greek requirements.

OP, firstly, what a rotten situation. If it were me I'd be on the first flight out there to try and help but obviously I don't know your circumstances. What I have however heard is that the standard of Greek government isolation accommodation leaves quite a bit to be desired (not surprising as they pay for it!) so if there is any way he can stay at his current accommodation, that has to be preferable - hopefully insurance will cover it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Not sure why - unless OPs son is ill (as opposed to just testing positive) I’m can’t see what else they could practically do at this stage that would make any difference. 

superbigal

BASHED said:

Yes, it was a package holiday but doesn't appear to be a rep in resort, just a help team based in the UK.  Travel insurer has been contacted - been given details on how to claim once he's home but they can't do anything beyond that, basically we are in the hands of the Greek authorities.  My instinct too was to fly out there but then I'd hit all the testing hurdles to leave the UK and re-enter the UK, I could even end up testing positive trying to return too, so head is trying to over rule heart on that one. Off to make more calls.....Thanks again.

TUI cover this scenario free of charge if it happens to be them.
https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/our-promise?vlid=trvcnfl2

You will automatically be covered for the following, subject to terms and conditions:
• Overseas medical assistance should you contract COVID-19 while on holiday.   
• Any testing costs associated with contracting COVID-19 while on holiday.   
• A flight home for medical treatment if required.   
• If you’re asked to quarantine while you’re away, you’ll be covered for an extended stay and a new return flight home.   

BASHED

Thank you to everyone for your comments and information.  I've found out he's being collected this evening to go to a quarantine hotel. Apparently there's a delay getting them to quarantine hotels as numbers of positive cases are on the increase. Looks like he'll have another test in about 3 days and, yes, he does need to test negative before he can come home. We've been told repeatedly that we must follow local protocols.  He has had some symptoms but not all.  

Thrugelmir

BASHED said:

  He has had some symptoms but not all.  

Still has the ability to pass the virus on. As long as people freely mix the virus isn't going away anytime soon. 

michael1234

I don't think any serious scientist believes the virus will ever go away. We will have to live with it.

I'd like to know how soon after being infected you can test negative on an antigen? And a PCR ?

lisyloo

The strange thing is that all his close contacts are going to the airport and getting on a plane.
I guess that's something for travellers to bear in mind. 
Some people might be happy about that but others might not want to be sat next to a close contact of an infected person.
Something to bear in mind when thinking about travelling (as well as possible quarantine abroad or UK).