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Travel dilemma which comes with relaxation of travel restrictions

katejo
katejo Posts: 4,303 Forumite
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edited 19 May at 4:59PM in Coronavirus Board
Now that rules are being relaxed and the supply of  free rapid tests is about to come to an end, isn't there going to be a problem for those who have mild cold symptoms on the 1st day of a holiday? They might feel fine to travel but could possibly have Covid. They could do a rapid test on the day but many don't test positive for several days. If this happened, would you ignore very mild symptoms and go? I have browsed travel conditions for a couple of firms which seem to assume that someone must cancel (and take the refund) but will people do this? Obviously there isn't a problem with more severe obvious cases.
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  • jimi_man
    jimi_man Posts: 1,450 Forumite
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    Pre Covid and the same situation occurred, what would you do? I.e just a cold. 
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,407 Ambassador
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    katejo said:
    Now that rules are being relaxed and the supply of  free rapid tests is about to come to an end, isn't there going to be a problem for those who have mild cold symptoms on the 1st day of a holiday? They might feel fine to travel but could possibly have Covid. They could do a rapid test on the day but many don't test positive for several days. If this happened, would you ignore very mild symptoms and go? I have browsed travel conditions for a couple of firms which seem to assume that someone must cancel (and take the refund) but will people do this? Obviously there isn't a problem with more severe obvious cases.
    Getting a refund is likely to be difficult,  insurance companies are probably going to want a confirmed diagnosis (assuming your travel insurance even covers Covid of course). 
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • katejo
    katejo Posts: 4,303 Forumite
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    jimi_man said:
    Pre Covid and the same situation occurred, what would you do? I.e just a cold. 
    Prior to Covid , I ignored cold symptoms and went on the trip but this may not be allowed now, particularly on a group package trip with specific conditions of travel related to Covid. I have read details provided by a couple of companies and they seem to expect participants to  withdraw and rebook. Maybe those conditions will change soon when fewer tests are available? 
  • jimi_man
    jimi_man Posts: 1,450 Forumite
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    Right, but if you don’t test and there is no requirement to test then how would anyone know whether you had a cold or Covid?
  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 37,930 Forumite
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    katejo said:
    jimi_man said:
    Pre Covid and the same situation occurred, what would you do? I.e just a cold. 
    Prior to Covid , I ignored cold symptoms and went on the trip but this may not be allowed now, particularly on a group package trip with specific conditions of travel related to Covid. I have read details provided by a couple of companies and they seem to expect participants to  withdraw and rebook. Maybe those conditions will change soon when fewer tests are available? 
    Or maybe participants joining a group package trip will just be expected to pay for tests in the immediate run-up to departure?  It still seems legitimate for companies arranging such trips (presumably involving a bunch of strangers in close contact?) to specify certain preconditions, and personally I wouldn't see a UK government decision to scrap free tests as necessarily changing that....
  • jon81uk
    jon81uk Posts: 3,898 Forumite
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    Yep I would expect any package or similar that clearly states do not trvel with covid would also provide testing as part of the package, or insist on travellers paying for testing first.


  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,407 Ambassador
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    jon81uk said:
    Yep I would expect any package or similar that clearly states do not trvel with covid would also provide testing as part of the package, or insist on travellers paying for testing first.



    I wonder if any company would lead the way in offering full refunds as well, or whether it would remain a matter between the traveller and the insurer?
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • katejo
    katejo Posts: 4,303 Forumite
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    soolin said:
    jon81uk said:
    Yep I would expect any package or similar that clearly states do not trvel with covid would also provide testing as part of the package, or insist on travellers paying for testing first.



    I wonder if any company would lead the way in offering full refunds as well, or whether it would remain a matter between the traveller and the insurer?
    The companies whose details I have read offer a transfer to a later date or a refund if the insurer won't cover it. However, if someone develops cold symptoms just as they are due to depart (even though they have already paid for a test which was negative) , they are supposed to get a test straight away and provide proof of the result. That doesn't work if it takes several days to test positive. It could just be a cold and a false alarm. 
  • jon81uk
    jon81uk Posts: 3,898 Forumite
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    soolin said:
    jon81uk said:
    Yep I would expect any package or similar that clearly states do not trvel with covid would also provide testing as part of the package, or insist on travellers paying for testing first.



    I wonder if any company would lead the way in offering full refunds as well, or whether it would remain a matter between the traveller and the insurer?
    We are going on a cruise with Virgin Voyages who are insisting on testing before boarding, if you test positive they will allow rebooking for free (or a credit to use to rebook) so not quite a full refund but still very flexible.
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,407 Ambassador
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    katejo said:
    soolin said:
    jon81uk said:
    Yep I would expect any package or similar that clearly states do not trvel with covid would also provide testing as part of the package, or insist on travellers paying for testing first.



    I wonder if any company would lead the way in offering full refunds as well, or whether it would remain a matter between the traveller and the insurer?
    The companies whose details I have read offer a transfer to a later date or a refund if the insurer won't cover it. However, if someone develops cold symptoms just as they are due to depart (even though they have already paid for a test which was negative) , they are supposed to get a test straight away and provide proof of the result. That doesn't work if it takes several days to test positive. It could just be a cold and a false alarm. 

    Having read a number of threads on these boards during the pandemic it seems that a lot of people lost an awful lot of money due to various restrictions and many were unable to recover all or even any of their money. If travel companies want to see travel going back to pre pandemic rates then there needs to be clarity around when someone can travel with them and when a guaranteed refund would be given. Moving dates is fine for me as I am self employed and can holiday whenever I choose, but for those on a fixed holiday rota telling them they can't travel wih a cold that is potentially covid- but also can't get a refund and merely change their dates is not going to give a traveller confidence.

    There are insurers that will cover covid, but only on confirmed cases and then only for certain members of the party .

    I suspect that a negative test within the required period, regardless of symptoms developing later will be be enough for many people to travel.

    As someone who has developed an allergy to something and can't seem to shake the appearance of having a cold, I'd never be able to travel again.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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