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Is anyone riding this next month? I can't make my mind up whether its worth the hassle. Going round in circle trying to understand covid requirements travelling through France and Belgium and back.
No, but we did look at it. It sounds a good one, do you think Covid restrictions will ease before then? I've read the UK are banned from Belgium, but havent looked up what their requirements actually are. I'd be doing the shorter distances, 136 would be OK for me, but the OH would be only up for the 72km.
We are doing the Depanne Beach race in November, if covid allows.
We did a great Sportive a year ago close to Oudenaarde, really friendly people, we pulled up at the finish, and a lady was there, asking what beer we'd like, and before we'd sat down, the beer was there. The only English people on it for a few years they said, as it's a small local event, and is only promoted via Cycling Vlanderren. Just by chance, I'd got a long weekend booked, the covid restrictions on travel were eased the day before, so we said lets go to Belgium with the bikes, this was the only event that weekend, so we entered.
Its not easy finding exactly what travel is allowed from the UK to Belgium. I *think* the UK is on their red list which I *think* means that if you have an NHS proof of vaccination letter and have proof of a negative test then you can enter belgium and not have to be tested there or have to quarantine. Hopefully that goes for France too.
The page you are looking for is here
United Kingdom | Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs (belgium.be)
Just right click in Chrome/Edge and translate to English. It's pretty readable
as far as I can see you are going to need to do a PCR test when you arrive and then quarantine for a day until you get a negative result. Don't try and wing it as I know a number of people who have actually had visits to their homes coming back to Belgium although usually it's just an email checking you have your test and know to quarantine
Weirdly, the rules are different if you are coming from Scotland. Who knows why. If you are from Scotland you can only travel if it's essential
Finally, the rules are changing again in Belgium on the 1st Sept but it doesn't seem to affect travel, only the level of openness in the country once you are here
The passenger locator form is here
Passenger Locator Form | Passenger Locator Form (info-coronavirus.be)
I'm also pretty sure you are good to transit through France from the UK as the UK still counts as orange. My wife drove back last week with no hassles although the queues for UK passport holders were pretty bad
I went to Belgium a few weeks ago and I was only allowed to enter because I am citizen.
I had to take a PCR test on day 1 and then another on day 7 and only then was I able to leave self isolation after confirmation of a negative test. They call you to ask if you are in isolation, if you have taken a test etc.
Unfortunately I can't weigh in regarding being a non citizen. As far as I am aware the rules haven't changed since I went (3rd August).
I would recommend calling the Belgian embassy to get a clearer picture 👍
I had a work college from the UK come in this week. Just one test on day one as above seems to have covered it.