Realistically, EU h...
 

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Realistically, EU holidaying by late summer?

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Same here in France, lots from EU.
Wife and Kids traveling to the uk sunday.


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 7:21 pm
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@spekkie we are hoping to be there in 3 weeks. Just about everything is crossed that we can make it.


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 7:31 pm
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We should be driving to France now. Instead we are driving to Scotland. Lots of reports in the press that the U.K. might put France on the red list next week was the nail  in the coffin for us. To much risk and we don’t want to spend the holiday checking the rules all the time. Or 2 weeks in a quarantine hotel No idea why the U.K. would put France in red but there is lots I don’t understand with the current government


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 7:50 pm
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@stainypants give us a shout when you get here and we'll have a chat 🙂


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 8:05 pm
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Cheers @Spekkie Ill take you up on that 🙂


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 8:38 pm
 Ewan
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Ah FFS. France is still going to need 10 days quartine. God knows why, much lower cases than us. Guess we'll be paying the five day release thing then.


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 9:04 pm
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Its the Beta variant (south african) they are worried about rather than the Delta variant we currently have.


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 9:10 pm
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That’s a pain, but given how cavalier the government usually is, they must have a pretty serious reason.

I’ve just got to break it to the family now.


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 9:20 pm
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Its the Beta variant (south african) they are worried about rather than the Delta variant we currently have.

Beta variant appears to be stable/decreasing g in France?!

https://twitter.com/nicolasberrod/status/1416032232251273236?s=19


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 9:59 pm
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Meanwhile

https://twitter.com/ChrisKimberley/status/1416133051105562626?s=19


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 10:00 pm
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We are supposed to be heading to Austria next weekend but Austria is still closed to anyone from the UK unless they quarantine for 10 days, even if fully vaccinated.

Been told I can cancel the day before arrival but will probably make our decision on Tuesday as last update to their countries list was the 6th.

Not really holding out much hope it will change the way the UK rates are climbing.


 
Posted : 16/07/2021 11:22 pm
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Looks like you can no longer travel to Germany via the Netherlands. So that’s it, game over.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 7:07 am
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That’s a pain, but given how cavalier the government usually is, they must have a pretty serious reason.

they hate the french

I’ve just got to break it to the family now.

they don't already understand what a shower of useless idiots are in government?


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 7:18 am
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they don’t already understand what a shower of useless idiots are in government?

Started my day with a chuckle


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 7:26 am
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Give it a week, all holidays canned. Forget it.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 8:16 am
 grum
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Plague Island #johnsonvariant 🙁


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 8:24 am
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So majority of french cases of Beta variant are in overseas territories like Réunion & French Guyana, so this makes even less sense


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 9:20 am
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Looks like you can no longer travel to Germany via the Netherlands. So that’s it, game over.

Where does it state that? Im driving to Denmark on Wednesday via Netherlands and Germany.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 9:26 am
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Blame me folks. I finally plucked up the courage and reserve to book our ferry to France on Thursday morning. Just 24 hours later they decide the new relaxed rules won't apply there anyway! Ah well, I can change the booking without charge up until the last day at the end of September. Who knows what might have changed by then!


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 10:06 am
 Ewan
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Presumably it's just to make the brexit headbangers think the french are doing worse than we are. ****s.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 10:14 am
 DrJ
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Well, France just changed their test requirements for UK visitors - now need a test within 24 hours of departure. Just looks like a tit-for-tat response to new UK rules.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 1:02 pm
 rone
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Well, France just changed their test requirements for UK visitors – now need a test within 24 hours of departure. Just looks like a tit-for-tat response to new UK rules.

I can't keep up.

Thought it was okay to enter France if double jabbed?

Have you a link please?


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 2:17 pm
 mrmo
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https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/operation-brock-deployed-as-country-reopens-250721/

The France change is nothing to do with Covid and everything to do with Brexit. The borders won't cope with holiday makers so the solution is to ban travel.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 2:28 pm
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@cheers_drive

Here


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 2:31 pm
 DrJ
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I can’t keep up.

Thought it was okay to enter France if double jabbed?

Have you a link please?

Apologies - I was quoting Eurostar link here:
https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/service-information/eurostar-travel-updates

But it is at odds with news reports eg here:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-reinforce-covid-19-restrictions-travellers-2021-07-17/

So who knows what the real situation is 🙁


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 2:45 pm
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I can’t keep up.

It’ll change again within two weeks. And several times again over the summer. Anyone expecting otherwise has their head in the sand.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 2:48 pm
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Wife wants a weekend in Venice in the summer. I've booked 22 days off work so we can quarantine either side


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 2:55 pm
 rone
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So who knows what the real situation is 🙁

Euro covid chess.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 2:57 pm
 colp
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Anyone expecting otherwise has their head in the sand.

It’ll be good old British sand though, non of that Forin muck


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 3:18 pm
 kilo
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Where does it state that? Im driving to Denmark on Wednesday via Netherlands and Germany.

Got a bight tight going to Denmark today;

Anyone travelling from the UK will have to produce a negative PCR test before boarding their flight, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not and including travellers in transit.

Another test is required on entry and travellers will have to isolate. Travel will only be allowed if deemed for a “worthy purpose”.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 7:58 pm
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That’s a pain, but given how cavalier the government usually is, they must have a pretty serious reason.

I doubt it, if Bozza and Co. gave two shits they wouldn't be throwing our own national controls away on Monday...

I'm sort of feeling vindicated, having vitoed overseas holidaying for the family this year.


 
Posted : 17/07/2021 9:02 pm
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Got a bight tight going to Denmark today;

My wife has been watching the latest advice for over a month now. We're taking a PCR today and a antigen on the way to the ferry. Also need vacine proof and marriage certificate so I get through on the fact she a Dane / EU citizen.
Loads of hassle and stress for me to then be bored stuck with the inlaws for 10 days BUT, understandably my wife is desperate to see her family.


 
Posted : 18/07/2021 9:44 am
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Wife and kids on the plane to the Uk . £600 for tests . At departure in France , Ryanair askd to see proof of negative test but not the booking for uk tests . I am guessing they will be asked at Stansted .


 
Posted : 18/07/2021 11:04 am
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I forgot to say that we know somebody who got the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry last night and hat said there were loads of confused and angry uk travellers who were refused boarding because they thought all they needed was a vaccine passport.


 
Posted : 18/07/2021 11:10 am
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Wife landed and no check at stansted.


 
Posted : 18/07/2021 12:08 pm
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the UK is turning into a Red Zone/Freedom State* from today

*delete according to stupidity


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 5:14 am
 5lab
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@cchris2lou hasn't she had to fill in an arrival form? You need a test booking reference on them to ensure you've booked one and i *think* the arrival form is cross-referenced to the flight manifesto automatically


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 9:53 am
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Not sûre. We Will see if booked tests are delivered tomorrow.


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 9:57 am
 DrJ
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Off to Paris on Eurostar this afternoon. Got antigen test which it turns out I don't need (thanks to Eurostar's wrong information). Bit concerned about France being put on the red list but thinking we may push on to Greece for a couple of weeks if that happens!! Escape from Johnsonaro's Britain will be a relief, if only for a while.


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 10:47 am
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French Holiday Co we use in France have their heads in their hands this morning, they cater mostly for the UK market and until our Gov announced Vaccine Passports they'd taken few bookings, for the few days between that and then France being given 'special' treatment they took a huge amount, technically they're entitled to keep them all, but obviously people want their money back now, what a position to be in? Keep the money and let your business survive, knowing most of your customers won't use the bookings they paid for, or refund everyone and hope for a Government bail out to survive?

They're, rightly, pretty pissy about it, we gave the rest of the World Alpha, okay we shouldn't blame nations for announcing they've found a new strain, but it seems pretty clear Boris's little flirt with India brought Delta into Europe, and now, because France has far away over-seas territories that avoided Delta, they're being punished for allow the last strain to be dominant.

You've got to wonder if Boris knows Reunion is in Indian Ocean


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 11:50 am
 mrmo
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anyone happen to know what the going rate is for a lateral flow test in Switzerland?

Part of me is starting to just **** Johnson and go with plan A. Do what I need to get in and out of the UK and screw the rest. Nothing he does is in the interests of the UK.


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 1:31 pm
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You can order the LF test kits in advance and take them with you, around £30 each seems to be the going rate. Do the test before you head home, register the result online and you're good to go.


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 1:42 pm
 mrmo
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Thanks, excuse the ignorance, how do they know you took the test? Is it simply trust that you fill out the forms correctly?


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 1:52 pm
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Not done it yet, but as I understand they send you a test kit, you take the test and send them a photo of the result. They then issue a certificate.

The possibility that people may not be entirely honest doesn't seem to have crossed their minds.


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 2:19 pm
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I'd never head of these until now, just checked them out some companies you do the test supervised over teams, some of them you just send a photo of the result and they issue you with a certificate. Definitely open to abuse.

I think I'll get these rather than go through the hassle 5 of us doing it in a Pharmacy in France/Spain.


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 2:25 pm
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I think I’ll get these rather than go through the hassle 5 of us doing it in a Pharmacy in France/Spain.

Getting an LFT in France is super easy, even when they were free.

From what I've read on other Forums is a lot of people with unvaccinated kids think it's probably better to get their kids LFTs for them, to avoid the unpleasantness of having to stay on in France / Spain for 10 days more than they planned waiting for them to get over it.


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 3:11 pm
 DrJ
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Just discovered another Brexit Benefit - that the NHS app and the EU app are not compatible so in places (like, soon, France) which require a COVID pass to go to a bar or a Resto, or a museum, or a cinema, etc you’re potentially stuffed unless you can convince the owner/jobsworth to go against instructions and allow you to use your NHS certificate.


 
Posted : 19/07/2021 10:19 pm
 DrJ
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Update to my little rant from last night. The French TousAntiCovid app now accepts NHS QR codes so you can get the pass you need to eat and drink. And go to the Louvre. Depending on priorities.


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 11:57 am
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^^^^  Useful to know.   Thanks


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 12:06 pm
 colp
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Also read that France is now on the list that accepts the Indian made AZ vaccine


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 12:21 pm
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Had an e-mail from one of the provides we were planning to use for our Hols in 2 weeks, it's a slightly odd but they'll give us a refund, postpone another 12 months (already done that once) or we can choose to go and assume the risk of isolation etc, but they want to know within 48 hours.

Contacted them this morning to ask if we could delay until a few days before, hoping things might change and they've said no, I don't blame them for anything given the circumstances, but I guess there's a decent amount of folk who'll risk it, and another who'll risk the money and hope it changes, but we won't.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Snowdonia now... I feel we're 6 months late to that party.


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 12:31 pm
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Any recommendations companies to use for LFTs? Eurotunnel are only showing the PCRs available at discount via them.
Thanks


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 1:33 pm
 Ewan
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From what I’ve read on other Forums is a lot of people with unvaccinated kids think it’s probably better to get their kids LFTs for them, to avoid the unpleasantness of having to stay on in France / Spain for 10 days more than they planned waiting for them to get over it.

Am I missing something here, but the kids don't have to be tested in either direction do they? So no risk of not being allowed back in?


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 1:55 pm
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Am I missing something here, but the kids don’t have to be tested in either direction do they? So no risk of not being allowed back in?

The cut off is 10, and there's been some reports to say that secondary school kids are one of the big groups for transmission at the moment.

I certainly don't agree with it, and it's not something we'd do, but some of my eldest's friend's not only missed a few days of school, but their parent's plan to use that 'trick' to avoid the risk of being stuck abroad.


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 2:23 pm
 Ewan
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Ah right, yes secondary kids are full of it.

How would an LFT avoid being stuck tho? If they get tested and they've got it, they're stuck aren't they?

Unless they're taking one in advance and pretending they took it at the time or soemthing?


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 2:34 pm
 mrmo
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 mrmo
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Unless they’re taking one in advance and pretending they took it at the time or soemthing?

Basically,


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 6:34 pm
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/20/border-officials-told-not-to-make-covid-checks-on-green-and-amber-list-arrivals

hmmm.

OMG

It's Teresa Mays (as home sec) policy all over again, open the borders and then blame the immigrants to stoke nationalism and general racism. JFC


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 8:08 pm
 mrmo
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Just noticed I don't need to do any test to get out of the UK and into France. It is only on the way back that they are needed.

Does anyone know which media is the best place to get a feel for where the French government is likely to go, when they will reassess access? As for the UK anyone know if any cabinet ministers have booked a holiday and will amend the rules for a week or two?


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 9:22 pm
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To enter France from thé uk you need a sub 24h négative test.


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 9:29 pm
 mrmo
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To enter France from thé uk you need a sub 24h négative test.

not according to this if you are vaccinated.

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/#sommaire_1

or this

https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/travelling-with-us/latest/covid-19/#foca

hence my query,  I hear and see different things.???


 
Posted : 20/07/2021 9:39 pm
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You do not need a negative test to enter France if you are fully vaccinated with an EMA approved vaccine + 7 days.

You do need a negative test to return, available in pharmacies, though the are now charged for tourists and you should book in advance (in person on arrival seems fine currently).

However things are changing literally on the fly and this text maybe out of date by the time it has been written.

The go is, if you want to travel to France the French are ready and willing to accept you, only if you are fully vaccinated, and the Government seem very keen on making this the goal post. Entry to bars, restaurants and hotels is restricted unless you have a health pass showing a negative test within 24 hours or are fully vaccinated, this is for everyone, including staff (who can have 1 jab done, and must have the second done by the end of August). These measures are in place to avoid another lockdown and give the tourist season a chance.

Extremely harsh penalties apply if you do not follow the rues as a business, €45k fine and up to 1 year in jail dependent on the severity of the infraction.

So in answer to your question, I think France will be open until at least the end of August, they are trying everything to make this happen. Will they red list Brits? Complete guess but the quarantine on return will restrict movement anyway, so as long as this is in place on the UK end, the French policy should remain in place. If it is lifted it may shift.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 7:54 am
 mrmo
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Thanks mtbbeds, i am going through to Switzerland but at least i have an idea of the french part of the trip.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 11:30 am
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@mrmo my understanding is that you will have to quarantine when heading back to the uk? Transiting by car doesn't give you any dispensation?


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 2:32 pm
 mrmo
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@nealc, i know..... As the rules will almost certainly change again it is a risk I am contemplating taking.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 3:37 pm
 DrJ
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You do need a negative test to return, available in pharmacies, though the are now charged for tourists and you should book in advance (in person on arrival seems fine currently).

Do you know if the pharmacy tests provide a standardised certificate that fulfils the requirements for return to UK, or do we need to check the details of what different pharmacies provide?


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 4:50 pm
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Hi, Yes they do. See examples for how to get one and the costs for Morzine (as an example for the rest of France) HERE


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 7:12 am
 mrmo
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I think it is worth linking this here

https://twitter.com/jonworth/status/1417458728979341323

The EU covid apps will accept NHS codes, but the infrastructure behind the app when you try and use the code might not.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 9:18 am
 Ewan
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Yeah - I've installed the french app, which accepts the NHS barcode now, but when you try and verify it with the french verification app it says invalid. I guess take paper versions, and prepare for some gallic shrugs!


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 3:45 pm
 DrJ
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Yeah – I’ve installed the french app, which accepts the NHS barcode now, but when you try and verify it with the french verification app it says invalid. I guess take paper versions, and prepare for some gallic shrugs!

I did this too. Only tried it out once so far at Maison Euro de Photo in Paris, and the guy at the door was very nice and checked the doses and dates on my NHS certificate. I’m not sure how widespread that approach will be!


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:48 pm
 mrmo
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I am hoping to go through France in a month, assuming France and Switzerland don't close the borders. Is the app needed for hotels or just venues? I'll have the paper copy anyway.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:52 pm
 DrJ
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I think for now its venues but from August 1 it will include bars, restos, shopping centers, etc. Not sure about hotels - I did ask DisneylandParis if they accept NHS certificate and they said yes. Probably it depends on the proprietor. The law doesn’t say they have to require the app, just a certificate of vaccination with certain vaccines and certain dates; the rest is interpretation.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:58 pm
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At the moment it is as you say restaurants, bars and shopping centres.

The full decree is being published today or tomorrow, that details what happens with the above and hotels (for example a fuss is being made over hotels that have bars open to the public).

I'll put the announcement on here if it is helpful, the Hospitality Association we work with will let us know as soon as it is available.


 
Posted : 26/07/2021 7:23 am
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@mtbbeds - Massively off topic.....do you live between Bristol and Bath? I am sure I cycle past a house with a van with MTB Beds on the side on my ride to work each morning!


 
Posted : 26/07/2021 9:01 am
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Hello All, im hoping that some of you can help me make sense of what we will have to do test wise in August traveling to Majorca.

it seems that just me and the Mrs will require a test in the resort and when were home. But our 6 year old will only need one on her arrival back in the uk . Is this right?


 
Posted : 26/07/2021 10:34 am
 Sui
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News this morning shows that the Amber+ for France may be dropped, so no quarantine from next week...

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/quarantine-from-france-could-end-as-covid-beta-strain-fades-after-one-week-9zm2kxv6v

what do we think? I know stuff changes all the time, but with infections dropping over here (i know the results are 2 weeks old) and the delta varient being the dominant strain throughout Europe, surely we are going to apply the same rules as the rest of Europe?


 
Posted : 26/07/2021 10:52 am
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Surely we are going to apply the same rules as the rest of Europe?

NOpe - we have to have different rules just 'cos suvrinty innit

I fully expect the UK to be banned from going anywhere soon because of the lack of restrictions and the exploding cases. A few countries have th eUK on their red lists - essential travel only.

I cannot comprehend why anyone would even think holidaying outside the UK is a good idea right now. to say nothing of the risks of infection on planes and so on the risk of the rules changing is too much.


 
Posted : 26/07/2021 11:04 am
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cannot comprehend why anyone would even think holidaying outside the UK is a good idea right now. to say nothing of the risks of infection on planes and so on the risk of the rules changing is too much.

Because were being held to ransom for many thousands of pounds for a pre booked holiday is our one and only reason.


 
Posted : 26/07/2021 11:19 am
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I cannot comprehend why anyone would even think holidaying outside the UK is a good idea right now

I'm sort of with you on that TJ but given the exorbitant prices or jam packed nature of holidaying in the UK right now it's bloody tempting.

We'd delayed our France visit from beginning of TdeF to Sept & now looking unlikely due to return quarantine requirements 😕


 
Posted : 26/07/2021 11:20 am
 Sui
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If there's a slim hope for no quarantine i'm off. Kids can go to a sandy sunny beach on the french coast and i can whizz over to the alps with the bike for a couple of nights.


 
Posted : 26/07/2021 11:23 am
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