Covid travel home at end of holiday?

I worry about everything, but can control this by having plans to deal with anything that arises.   However, I can’t see a practical solution to the following possible covid holiday situation:

I’m going on a cruise in 3 weeks’ time.   Have insurance so no problem if covid were to develop while on ship – isolate in cabin.   Problem is if I’m still covid infectious, not badly ill but still displaying symptoms when ship returns to port.  Port is 200 miles from my home and I will be returning by bus or train.

I have to leave ship:

Can’t travel home by public transport,  not even sure how I would make the short journey from the ship to town.

Don’t think I can book into hotel if I have covid, so I have no accommodation

Don’t know anyone in port town to stay with

Family who might be able to make journey to pick me up and drive home will either be away on holiday themselves, or haven’t had covid and I wouldn’t risk spreading it.

So I have no accommodation and no way of travelling home – what do I do?


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Replies

  • eskbankereskbanker Forumite
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    Be_Happy said:

    Can’t travel home by public transport,  not even sure how I would make the short journey from the ship to town.

    Don’t think I can book into hotel if I have covid, so I have no accommodation

    What would legally prevent you from travelling on public transport or booking into a hotel?
  • comeandgocomeandgo Forumite
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    There is nothing to stop you coming home if you feel well enough.  Wear a mask if you want.
  • jon81ukjon81uk Forumite
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    As above right now there is nothing to stop you travelling into and around the UK with covid.
    Entering other countries may be different but most want proof of vaccine.

    If you think you might be contagious then wear a mask out of courtesy to others.
  • Be_HappyBe_Happy Forumite
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    Thanks for replies.   Nothing legally binding, but public health advice in Scotland is to stay home if you have covid and to wear masks on public transport.  I think you would be refused entry to a bus if you were coughing very badly or showing any obvious covid symptoms.  Bus drivers and passengers do take close proximity to covid sufferers seriously.  

    Morally I would quibble at the possibility of spreading what is a very easily transmissible new version of covid round 40 others on a bus

    However, it does seem that using public transport would be the only solution.   Just hope I never have to do it.
  • edited 27 June 2022 at 9:05PM
    UpsidedownandaroundUpsidedownandaround Forumite
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    edited 27 June 2022 at 9:05PM
    Be_Happy said:
    Thanks for replies.   Nothing legally binding, but public health advice in Scotland is to stay home if you have covid and to wear masks on public transport.  I think you would be refused entry to a bus if you were coughing very badly or showing any obvious covid symptoms.  Bus drivers and passengers do take close proximity to covid sufferers seriously.  

    Morally I would quibble at the possibility of spreading what is a very easily transmissible new version of covid round 40 others on a bus

    However, it does seem that using public transport would be the only solution.   Just hope I never have to do it.
    I don’t think there’s any chance you would be refused entry to a bus for coughing badly or displaying “obvious covid signs” whatever that means.

    The bus driver behind the perspex glass won’t be concerned about checking your symptoms in the brief 15 seconds when he asks you to pay your fare.
  • comeandgocomeandgo Forumite
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    I’m on buses a lot and nobody has been refused entry for coughing.  There are a few bad colds going around too .  It’s only advice in Scotland, not legal requirement.
  • silvercarsilvercar Forumite, Ambassador
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    These days people just travel home without a second thought, if you are feeling rough then the attraction of being in your own surroundings is that much greater.

    I know of 2 friends  whose adult offsprings were abroad and phoned home at the end of their holidays saying they felt ill.  Parents just advised them to get on a plane and get home, suggesting too much partying was probably the cause, but “for goodness sake don’t test until home”.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on The Coronavirus Boards as well as the housing, in my home and student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to [email protected] (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • jon81ukjon81uk Forumite
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    Be_Happy said:
    Thanks for replies.   Nothing legally binding, but public health advice in Scotland is to stay home if you have covid and to wear masks on public transport.  I think you would be refused entry to a bus if you were coughing very badly or showing any obvious covid symptoms.  Bus drivers and passengers do take close proximity to covid sufferers seriously.  

    Morally I would quibble at the possibility of spreading what is a very easily transmissible new version of covid round 40 others on a bus

    However, it does seem that using public transport would be the only solution.   Just hope I never have to do it.

    Which is why the polite thing is to wear a mask to protect the other passengers. Doesn't matter if its cold, flu, covid-19 or a throat infection, the mask will reduce the chance of your cough passing germs to others.

    The bus driver won't care if a passenger is coughing, but you can reduce the chance of spreading germs by wearing a mask.
  • onashoestringonashoestring Forumite
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    The law in England requiring people with Covid to self- isolate ended on 24th Feb .

    Many public  transport providers do state that you should not travel if you have Covid . However this is not enforced ; as in practice the staff have no way of knowing if someone has tested positive for Covid . 

    It would be considerate to wear a face mask if you had symptoms. 

    Many hotels would be willing to accept a booking , but if you advised them that you had Covid might ask that you stay in your room rather than eating their restaurant. 

    To summarise- you wouldn’t be breaking any law - but it would be considerate to wear a face-covering and get home the most direct way possible. This would apply if you had flu or any other contagious illness. 
  • NoodleDoodleManNoodleDoodleMan Forumite
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    Whenever on a cruise pre Covid there was an obligatory certificate to sign confirming that embarking passengers had had no symptoms of the Noravius bug in the last week or so - a straightforward Yes/No declaration.
    As if anybody was going to respond in the affirmative and be denied boarding !!!
    So, if you are feeling rough before flying home these days - just grin and bear it - unless you want to remain behind with all that that entails.
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