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News this morning shows that the Amber+ for France may be dropped, so no quarantine from next week…
I hope you're right, and someone looked at a map and realised you can't get the Eurostar to La Reunion
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.
All the usual reasons, plus greater attention to public health eg mask wearing is about 99% on Paris Metro compared with 50% on the Tube. Eurostar is half full and the passengers are mostly double vaxed and tested negative.
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.
We're about to go to france via eurotunnel. As far as I can make out we'll be considerably safer over there than here.... The risk of catching it on the tunnel itself seems minimal as everyone stays in their cars.
The risk of catching it on the tunnel itself seems minimal as everyone stays in their cars.
and long may that rule continue.
went last summer, it was blissful to just sit in the car in peace. All previous years you have a constant stream of people exercising their excitable small children by taking them for a group walk down the train to the toilets.
What about the risk of you taking it there?
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.
The opportunity to walk in to a shop and buy fresh food...
As for the risk of taking it, the virus isn't going away, and as the UK has a worse vaccination record than many European countries now, and steadily getting worse. When is the right time?
What about the risk of you taking it there?
Both double jabbed so fulfil the french entry requirement. Both working from home and don't go to pubs etc, so I think the risk is minimal. In any event, it's not like in future it's going to be any different (We can't be triple jabbed), and the french are evidentially are happy to have us given they've set out their criteria...
Regarding your vaccination status, wouldn’t it be simpler to encode it into the biometric data, already held on your passport?
Apologies if this has been raised previously.
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?
That's correct as I understand it as your child is 6yrs.
Adults require a negative test 3 days before return to UK and then PCR on day 2.
Children only require the day 2 PCR.
Different rules if child is 12 and over.
All previous years you have a constant stream of people exercising their excitable small children by taking them for a group walk down the train to the toilets
Lol is that really an issue? 45 mins of maybe a dozen people walking past you and kids who are excited about a holiday?
The opportunity to walk in to a shop and buy fresh food…
As for the risk of taking it, the virus isn’t going away, and as the UK has a worse vaccination record than many European countries now, and steadily getting worse. When is the right time?
I can buy fresh (even artisan!) bread in at least 2 shops in our village. And I wasn't aware any European country had a better vaccination record than the UK, the only thing we have got right.
The only reason not to travel abroad right now is that something "might" happen while you are away making it harder or more expensive to get home, and I'm not sure if travel insurance would cover you if you developed a bad case of it while out there.
So, glamping in the Cotswolds it us for us this weekend....
Lol is that really an issue? 45 mins of maybe a dozen people walking past you and kids who are excited about a holiday?
It’s more than a dozen. It is pretty much constant. Plus you are sat down with the window cracked, putting you pretty much at hyper kid head level. Not ideal when trying to grab a quick nap ahead of the 10 hour drive.
Maybe we have been unlucky in where we have been located in the train, or our time of day (6-7am).
We just landed in Kefalonia 3 hours ago.
Smooth through Manchester airport, flight arrived 20 mins ahead of schedule, organised and quick test by Greeks on arrival in addition to those at home.
If anyone tested at the airport is positive it’s a government funded isolation hotel.
And I wasn’t aware any European country had a better vaccination record than the UK, the only thing we have got right.
We concentrated on getting first doses done I think but have been slower than some getting people fully vaccinated.
We concentrated on getting first doses done I think but have been slower than some getting people fully vaccinated.
Theres also the issue of takeup. eg France claims by the end of July every adult who wanted it will have had their second dose. We are looking at end of august for the same.
Speed of getting through the population helped by a number of people refusing to have it. Sweeping generalisation, but I would guess that many of the romance/gallic countries are similar in their attitutes?
My sister and family are just off to Ibiza today. Adults are double-vaxed and the kids tested negative this morning. She said that they breezed through Heathrow security as, in here words 'the place is like a ghost town'. As its presently on the Amber List I suppose that means they'll have to isolate on their return
I've absolutely no desire whatsoever to get on a plane any time soon, but our kid normally does a lot of travelling with work, hasn't been anywhere for 18 months and she says she's just sick of being in this country.
Well thankfully BA cancelled my flights for next month so full hassle free refund and deferment for me.
Can't say I was looking forward to it given the seemingly random changes in UK policy and thy comparative difficulty I was having figuring out what happened at the other end, especially if you tested positive pre return flight.
In honesty though I'm just very very happy not to be going to the airport. Turns out I've developed a phobia of "crowds" and the idea of the security etc queues was making me feel rather sick.
and she says she’s just sick of being in this country.
Darlings, we’ve been flying to and from the Cote D’Azur all pandemic. Private jet from a small airport in Hampshire (you know the one 😉). Even when travel was banned we never had a problem either end, never been tested, that’s only for the plebs, it’s all been tickety-boo.
It’s fun to be rich.
France claims by the end of July every adult who wanted it will have had their second dose. We are looking at end of august for the same.
They are currently vaccinating far more people daily than us... approx twice as many. Don't read too much into that "who wanted it" disclaimer... that isn't that different across European countries, despite last year's expectations that France would be far more reluctant than, say, us.
but I would guess that many of the romance/gallic countries are similar in their attitutes?
Well, they're all at about 50% double jabbed... just behind us (apart from Spain which is ahead). It'll be interesting to see where this ends up... I strongly suspect all the (rich) European countries will end up in much the same place.. with us having a head start that eventually disappears as supplies are flowing well in other countries and we "choose" not to vaccinate teens here.
seems I'm wrong then.
looks like a bit of a scheduling error from ukgov then, as I get daily updates from our local vax centre, walk ins for all 3 vaccines, no queues... but it has to be 8 weeks plus. so many people having to wait (9th august for me)
The only reason not to travel abroad right now is that something “might” happen while you are away making it harder or more expensive to get home, and I’m not sure if travel insurance would cover you if you developed a bad case of it while out there.
I checked this, at least on nationwide flex plus (the one you get free with the travel insurance), they cover the additional accommodation + medical expenses if you catch it over there.
they cover the additional accommodation + medical expenses if you catch it over there.
The two or three I looked at when I read the wording were "hospital accommodation" so if you're needing to be admitted great, if you're stuck finding a hotel that'll take plague ridden you, you're on your own.
Of course my experience is a small sample size and anecdotal at best.
(and there's also incidentals in terms of a further two weeks off work etc)
latest update from our kid is that the plane from Heathrow to Ibiza at peak season in the summer holidays is about 15% full.
Obviously she's in a minority in being daft enough to want to get on a plane and jet off for 2 weeks by the pool
The airlines must be losing an absolute fortune with that level of seat occupancy
seems I’m wrong then
I thought exactly the same as you... it's only when I looked at the data the other day (when hearing the news that Spain had overtaken us on double jab rates) that I realised that the French were also turning it around, fast. That Germany were doing the same was less of a surprise.
I thought exactly the same as you
And this is why I have so little faith in the UK media now. No longer is informing the point, it is about maintaining the party line.
The French Health Pass covers;
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- All the above including exterior seating
- Some shopping centres and malls of more than 20,000sqm (each district has it's own say over which will need them)
- Hospitals, medical centres
- Long-distance travel within France – domestic flights etc
- Meeting or conference rooms with more than 50 people
- ConcertS, theatre venues, Cinemas, Festivals
- Indoor sports venues including gyms and swimming pools
- Outdoor sports venues including stadiums and open-air pools
- Amusement parks and zoos
- Nightclubs, discotheques and dance venues
It is not currently planned to be used on the chairlifts. From a tourist perspective it's irrelevant if it is or not as you'll need the pass to do pretty much everything else anyway.
Everyone over the age of 12 will need to have one. However ages 12-17 will not need to show one until August 30th.
...and for anyone from Wales
As usual most of the media and gov.uk advice only applies to England.
In Wales, you'll need to log-in to the NHS COVID Pass website (not the NHS app) where you can scan the vaccination barcodes into the French Government TousAntiCovid app on your phone.
You can then use this to enter France and for the list of venues as above.
All seems to work pretty seamlessly.
seems I’m wrong then
https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations
According to this, Uk and Spain both have 55% of population fully jabbed, UK have 14% partial and Spain 10%. Italy, Germany and France and a little behind.
The scary statistic is when you look at some of the developing nations with remote populations and less than 2% even partially vaccinated.
What are folk from Scotland going to do with regards to the French Health Pass. There’s no QR code available yet only printed documentation.
What are folk from Scotland going to do with regards to the French Health Pass. There’s no QR code available yet only printed documentation.
Stay in Scotland
Thanks for that, unfortunately it’s a little more of a complex situation than than that.
having just flown to/from Spain as a UK resident, double NHS jabbed:
outbound - the airline did actually check that i had the NHS App/QR Codes to demonstrate my vacc status.
arrival - Spain checked passport, SpTH (spainish version of passenger location form) and temperature
pre-return - video consultation LFD test and emailed a "-ve" certificate (£40 each)
return - spain airport was pretty thorough, triple checking (enter the building, security & departure gate): pre-departure test certificate (LFD), UK Passenger Locator Form and NHS Vacc status
arrival at UK - i confidently predicted and bet £5 there would be no checks.... actually I didnt get through the e-gates and had to have my passport manually checked, as did a surprisingly high number of passengers on my flight. Border Control asked, but didnt check, where i came from, if i was vaccinated and then were happy to tell me that i didnt need to quarantine/isolate.
I either assume that the UK is getting all the appropriate checks done before anyone boards the plane... or they are simply hoping that everyone plays by the rules.
needed to book the Day2 PCR Test (£40 each) and the booking reference for that was entered into the passenger locator form - ive no idea how that test will be monitored, either actually doing it, or the result and any action.
Both airports were quiet, flight was less than 20% capacity
As far as I can tell, I don't need much to enter france now.... no locator form, or statement of honour (this is as two double jabbed people + baby). All I need is:
- Proof of vaccination status (NHS App + letter as backup)
- Before return book a 2+8 day test and have the booking reference (holding off on this until after the announcement on the 5th August)
- Have a Antigen test before leaving france
- Complete the UK form for getting back into the UK
Anything i've missed?
ive no idea how that test will be monitored, either actually doing it, or the result and any action.
it isn't. the company we used only sent us one test (not 2), so my wife took an NHS test (as it was available same-day, unlike any private providers) to ensure she was conforming and could go into work. Zero follow up
^ so relying on honesty and common sense.
im sure that'll be fine - but i might save myself £80 next time....
Ewan you are correct as it stands today.
But get your certificates loaded onto the France Tous Anti Covid app, as this is what you will use when in France, until everyone starts accepting the NHS app.
https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus/tousanticovid
I either assume that the UK is getting all the appropriate checks done before anyone boards the plane… or they are simply hoping that everyone plays by the rules.
Given the governments track record, shall we go out on a limb and take a wild guess which?
Ewan you are correct as it stands today.
But get your certificates loaded onto the France Tous Anti Covid app, as this is what you will use when in France, until everyone starts accepting the NHS app.
Great thanks - already done the tous app.
Hmmm just seen the latest announcement. EU + US citizens who are double jabbed no longer need to isolate, that appears to include those travelling from France.
So, if you're french and double jabbed you don't need to isolate, but if you're english and double jabbed you do? (assuming both are coming back from france)
So, if you’re french and double jabbed you don’t need to isolate, but if you’re english and double jabbed you do? (assuming both are coming back from france)
bonkers - is this the news the papers were reporting on Monday, if so that doesn't help me (and many others) who want to go to camping in France..
So, if you’re french and double jabbed you don’t need to isolate, but if you’re english and double jabbed you do? (assuming both are coming back from france)
bonkers – is this the news the papers were reporting on Monday, if so that doesn’t help me (and many others) who want to go to camping in France..
This occurred to me earlier today. If this is how it still pans out when it's announced what credibility does that have.
Of course, nothing they do has any credibility.
.
This occurred to me earlier today. If this is how it still pans out when it’s announced what credibility does that have.
If that is the plan then, no one is going to bother quarantining regardless of what the law says.
I can do a good “Allo allo” accent, should be good to go
It's like they've written a potential set of rules down on a big board and are now throwing darts at it to see which ones are going to apply. Blindfolded.
having seen what the papers are reporting, it is looking like, everywhere but France is ok.
Which basically means the whole argument is crap, the issue is nothing to do with Covid and everything to do with the Channel ports not being able to cope. You can freely travel from Belgium etc by plane but if you travel the couple of miles through France to get to the ports you have to quarantine.
"Amber arrivals who have been fully vaccinated in the USA and European countries will still be required to complete a pre-departure test before arrival into England, alongside a PCR test on or before day 2 after arrival. Separate rules will continue to apply for those arriving from France."
So frustrating!!!
Yep, they've just provided more than a tweet now - france still excluded.
You'd hope that'll be relaxed on the 5th. I'm not going to book my day 2 + 8 tests until then anyway!
Which basically means the whole argument is crap, the issue is nothing to do with Covid and everything to do with the Channel ports not being able to cope. You can freely travel from Belgium etc by plane but if you travel the couple of miles through France to get to the ports you have to quarantine.
I think it's more about convincing people that we're not doing as badly as we are. They need a false comparison and the french are perfect. For example my MIL is convinced that France is doing terribly compared to us - her main point of reference is that they're amber plus! Obviously i've shown her the facts but she remains unconvinced...
******ers ... 🙁
I wonder if there is a flow chart explaining the thought process behind it all . . . .
yeah it looks like this
Another question for any Brits holidaying in France - have you had any trouble getting into anywhere with your NHS vax cert, as opposed to the French pass sanitaire? In principle it should be accepted, but in real world practice have you had any problems or successes?
But get your certificates loaded onto the France Tous Anti Covid app, as this is what you will use when in France, until everyone starts accepting the NHS app.
But... my understanding is that these QR codes are not (yet) verified by the TAC Verif app that venues use to verify your status so as things stand you will still have to throw yourself on the mercy of the guy on the door (hence my question just now :-))
See the last section of this document dealing with visitors to France from non-EU countries. Can't use restos, bars etc
Simple test - someone post (or send me) a QR code from TousAntiCovid resulting from vaccination in the UK. I'll scan it with the verification app and see what happens.
EDIT: Or just download TousAntiCovid Verif yourself and scan it!
I have the french app, and it allows to scan qr codes to check their validity.
I could try scanning uk ones to see if they are recognised.
Beaten by Stevo 😅
So actually did this today. Registered the wife and I on the NHS site to get our covid vaccination certificates. Downloaded the Tous app, scanned the NHS cert qr code and voilà it's recognised and saved in the wallet of the app. Hopefully all good for France next week.
Yep, just done the same. My codes now saved in the wallet. Not booked to go until end of september so will need to download new QR codes as it seems they are only valid for 28 days or so.
Simple test – someone post (or send me) a QR code from TousAntiCovid resulting from vaccination in the UK. I’ll scan it with the verification app and see what happens.
Done that. Doesn't work. Codes not validated.
Frankly I'd be thinking again about a vacation in France until they get this sorted.
Downloaded the Tous app, scanned the NHS cert qr code and voilà it’s recognised and saved in the wallet of the app. Hopefully all good for France next week.
this is the confusing thing - you can store the codes in the TAC app, BUT!!!! they are still not validated by the TAC Verif app that places will use to check them.
The French embassy's advice
https://uk.ambafrance.org/NHS-COVID-Pass-now-accepted-in-France
They say take a paper copy of your vaccine status.
From the French government site I linked above:
Pour les pays hors UE, dans le cadre du pass sanitaire « voyages », les preuves non certifiées sont tolérées et doivent être vérifiées dans une traduction en français ou en anglais. S’agissant du pass sanitaire « activités », seules les preuves certifiées au format européen sont acceptées. Les participants étrangers peuvent réaliser des tests en France pour obtenir une preuve au format européen
We will be anyway in France until 12 August so I'll report back on what actually happens on the ground, as opposed to what websites say!
seules les preuves certifiées au format européen sont acceptées.
I think this is the bit that matters, I don't know if the NHS paper cert fits this, but the French Embassy is suggesting it does.
#Johnsonvariant!
As you've found the French app will store any QR code it recognises but what you need to show in the context of the pass sanitaire is the "certificat Covid numérique UE" which is the QR code on the top right of the French paper and is not the same as the QR on the bottom left of the paper which you scan into TousAntiCovid.
The verif app only recognises the EU QR code either on paper or stored in the app and there appears to be a glitch. If you can't get the EU code just present proof of NHS double vaccination at least two weeks before in paper format. There's no legal obligation to own a phone.
I suggest erasing the TousAntiCovid apps you have and downloading again, it's constantly being updated but you might not be getting reminders.
Just updated the tousanticovid app, and I don't know if this is new or I haven't noticed before. But under the QR code is does now say this is not valid, contact the NHS.
So this what mine shows when load into the app. Running the latest version on Android. Will take paper copies and see what happens
Let's try the image share again.
That looks like a vaccination certificate QR code rather than the QR code on an "EU DIGITAL COVID CERTIFICATE". My EU QR code has a much finer grain with roughly double the points on each axis.
In France you get a vaccination certificate from your doctor with a QR code like the one in that screen shot but then you log into your social security Amelie account to get the EU ceritificate which has two much denser QR codes: the EU one top right and one to scan into TousAntiCovid bottom left. Mine worked first time after the 14 days but Madame downloaded two updates before her code bottom left was accpted and the code top right appeared in certificates.
Edit: a bit of research says some Brits are successfully doing the same with their NHS accounts:
A member of The connection The UK-based team said he did this by clicking to generate a PDF of his certificate on the NHS app, which he then emailed to his own email account from of his phone.
It dodn't say if he checked if it works with the verif app though.
@leonthepro mine looks the same but if you now get someone to pretend to be a bar owner and download the TousAntiCovid Verif app and use it to scan your qr code you'll find it says "non validated" at which point the bar owner will tell you to be on your way. Or he may accept your paper certificate. We'll soon find out!!
Ok looks like my trip to Morzine is back on given the latest Gov advice? Any advice on using the TousAntiCovid app for UK visitors and where to get an antigen test in the town so we can travel back?
To use the tousantcovid, you need your nhs 2d code, I got this via my NHS login and from there get a pdf print out.
Use the french app to scan the code and it should recognise it.
You will have two NHS bar codes, it is the second one that really matters as confirms that you are fully vaccinated.
For the return, i have just ordered a couple of lateral flow tests to use.
Edit, The NHS codes are now fully functional in France, but not in all EU+ countries. ie French app ok, Swiss not ok.
Obviously I should do my own homework over and above half listening to the radio this morning, but what the hell, advice v much appreciated... We're off to France for a couple of weeks end of the month, brittany ferries. Do we need to show a PCR test result going/coming back? If so, any advice on booking tests
elvino - are you already booked? Im trying to do a last minute job -and just wondered how you've got on?
I spent 5 hours on Tuesday night doing the forms and working out what we needed as we enter Spain travel to France and comeback via Spain. Added stress the wife's NHS vaccine record has disappeared from the app luckily we downloaded a copy last week.
If you're fully vaccinated you just need to fill out a declaration from the French government website, no test needed and to come back you just need a lat flow test from a pharmacy in France, not the NHS one, and fill out the UK passenger locator form.
Vans packed, kids are away at Machester airport getting their LAMP tests and I'm so glad I held my nerve over France and didn't swap the holiday around, 2 weeks in Ainsa and 10 days in Argeles Gazost. Just got to load the bikes on and drive to Portsmouth which is always the most stressful part of the trip.
@johnx2 the revised rules, not applicable today for the return, You need nothing if vaccinated to get into France.
you need a lateral flow test from with the 72 hours before boarding for the return. you also need to book a PCR test for day 2 after you get back. ( this needs to be booked before you come back)
No test can be an NHS one, you need to give the tory donors there baksheesh to get into the UK.
Booked into to my usual place in France now.
Wondering about Flexi-plus on the tunnel.
Think it might be worth the extra.
No test can be an NHS one
I wondered why this is the case.
you need to give the tory donors there baksheesh to get into the UK.
Oh.
Always remember Tories nees to keep the myth going that the private sector allocates resources more efficiently.
Bullshit.
No test can be an NHS one
I wondered why this is the case.
you need to give the tory donors there baksheesh to get into the UK.
Oh.
Alternatively it's because the tax payer funded and supplied tests aren't there to allow people in a position to go abroad to do so cheaper than if they had pay for it themselves.
As to why those tests are significantly more expensive privately in the UK than elsewhere, we'll there's a different question.