Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

[Peterthegreat]

I reckon it'll be replaced with "go" or "don't go" , and the testing regime relaxed for vaccinated people in the "go" category. A day 2 NHS lateral flow test would be fine, with a requirement to do a PCR test if it came back positive.

I hope I am wrong but I doubt testing will be relaxed.

 

[Richard Scott]

I hope I am wrong but I doubt testing will be relaxed.

Me too but with our obsessed politicians who must be seen to be doing something (no matter how pointless) I doubt testing will go either.

 

[kevin_roche]

Me too but with our obsessed politicians who must be seen to be doing something (no matter how pointless) I doubt testing will go either.

I saw an interesting you-tube video the other day in which a scientist was recommending cutting back on the testing as it was a waste of money. He recommended only testing people who are symptomatic. But as you say this decision is politics, not science.

 

[adc82140]

I'm in the ferry queue. Off to France, 18 months later than planned.

 

[ScottGallagher]

I'm quite confused, a work colleague of mines sister who isn't vaccinated went to Ibiza recently on the strength of a pcr test and had to quarantine when back home.

Grant Shapps a short time ago said he envisaged a position where countries will refuse you without having the jab regardless of test , obviously not Spain!

 

[Jamesrob637]

So as a double jabbed, can I go anywhere like it's pre-COVID? With the exception of a) having to potentially wear a mask in flight and b) having to present proof of vaccinations. No tests or anything, not even lateral flow.

 

[island]

I'm quite confused, a work colleague of mines sister who isn't vaccinated went to Ibiza recently on the strength of a pcr test and had to quarantine when back home.

Grant Shapps a short time ago said he envisaged a position where countries will refuse you without having the jab regardless of test , obviously not Spain!

France refuses unvaccinated leisure travellers from the UK, as do some other countries.

So as a double jabbed, can I go anywhere like it's pre-COVID? With the exception of a) having to potentially wear a mask in flight and b) having to present proof of vaccinations. No tests or anything, not even lateral flow.

The only international destination to which you can (currently) travel from the UK without taking any tests in either direction is the Republic of Ireland.

All other destinations require, at a minimum, that you take any non-NHS Covid test within 3 days before travelling back to the UK and a paid for PCR test within 2 days after arriving back.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

I'm quite confused, a work colleague of mines sister who isn't vaccinated went to Ibiza recently on the strength of a pcr test and had to quarantine when back home.

Grant Shapps a short time ago said he envisaged a position where countries will refuse you without having the jab regardless of test , obviously not Spain!

Not Italy either, but unvaccinated people will need to do a 5 day quarantine when they arrive.

 

[D6130]

Not Italy either, but unvaccinated people will need to do a 5 day quarantine when they arrive.

Are you absolutely sure about that? We're off to Italy on Wednesday - double vaccinated - and we've been told that we have to take an LF/RA test no more than 48 hours before entering Italy. Then we have to take another test no longer than 72 hours before re-entering the UK....plus the second day PCR test after returning home.

 

[island]

Are you absolutely sure about that? We're off to Italy on Wednesday - double vaccinated - and we've been told that we have to take an LF/RA test no more than 48 hours before entering Italy. Then we have to take another test no longer than 72 hours before re-entering the UK....plus the second day PCR test after returning home.

You don’t have to quarantine, it was abolished a couple of weeks ago.

 

[D6130]

You don’t have to quarantine, it was abolished a couple of weeks ago.

I realise that....but we still have to be tested.

 

[adc82140]

I'm now in France. There was just a cursory look at the vaccine certificate and sworn statement, but I got a stamp in my passport! First time in the 20 years I've been doing this trip. All in all through immigration at St Malo in about 45 seconds.

 

[johncrossley]

but I got a stamp in my passport! First time in the 20 years I've been doing this trip.

Maybe it was the first time you did the trip when the UK was outside the EU, hence the stamp.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Are you absolutely sure about that? We're off to Italy on Wednesday - double vaccinated - and we've been told that we have to take an LF/RA test no more than 48 hours before entering Italy. Then we have to take another test no longer than 72 hours before re-entering the UK....plus the second day PCR test after returning home.

The regulation is as follows:

Double-vaccinated people like you don't need to self-isolate / quarantine on arrival to Italy, but need to get a PCR / antigen test 2 days (48 hours) before entering the country.

Unvaccinated people like myself need to self-isolate / quarantine for 5 days on arrival to Italy, and need two PCR / antigen tests: one 2 days (48 hours) before entering hte country, and another one 5 days when you have arrived.

 

[Butts]

France refuses unvaccinated leisure travellers from the UK, as do some other countries.

The only international destination to which you can (currently) travel from the UK without taking any tests in either direction is the Republic of Ireland.

All other destinations require, at a minimum, that you take any non-NHS Covid test within 3 days before travelling back to the UK and a paid for PCR test within 2 days after arriving back.

Indeed and they don't even check your Vaccination Status in the UK or Ireland on BA from my recent two trips - going again next week.

Lounge entry just reinstated in Dublin as an added bonus

 

[kristiang85]

I'm now in France. There was just a cursory look at the vaccine certificate and sworn statement, but I got a stamp in my passport! First time in the 20 years I've been doing this trip. All in all through immigration at St Malo in about 45 seconds.

Yes you will get stamps entering the EU anywhere now, pretty much.

 

[kevin_roche]

Yes you will get stamps entering the EU anywhere now, pretty much.

When I arrived in Lanzarote last week UK passport holders were directed to use the E-Gates. No stamping involved. When I first started travelling for work in the 1970s I used to enjoy getting stamps and looking at them in my passport. It looks like I have to wait a bit longer.

 

[TravelDream]

When I arrived in Lanzarote last week UK passport holders were directed to use the E-Gates. No stamping involved. When I first started travelling for work in the 1970s I used to enjoy getting stamps and looking at them in my passport. It looks like I have to wait a bit longer.

At Malaga, in July there were separate e-gates setup for Brits who passed the e-gate and then had their passport stamped at a desk.

 

[D6130]

Yes you will get stamps entering the EU anywhere now, pretty much.

That will no doubt be to ensure that you don't overstay your 90 days in any 180 day period quota.

 

[kristiang85]

By the way, I've just booked train tickets in France for next month, and it says "Remember that this ticket needs to be associated with a health pass".

If I just bring my NHS printout, presumably that will suffice? Or do I need to get it converted into something local?

 

[TravelDream]

By the way, I've just booked train tickets in France for next month, and it says "Remember that this ticket needs to be associated with a health pass".

If I just bring my NHS printout, presumably that will suffice? Or do I need to get it converted into something local?

The NHS England digital one is acceptable.

Applying for a vaccine pass if you were vaccinated abroad (procedure for non-European nationals entering France and non-European students)

• For those over the age of 16, the French COVID certificate has become a vaccine pass, applicable as of 24 January 2022. A digital (via the (…)

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

 

[kristiang85]

The NHS England digital one is acceptable.

Applying for a vaccine pass if you were vaccinated abroad (procedure for non-European nationals entering France and non-European students)

• For those over the age of 16, the French COVID certificate has become a vaccine pass, applicable as of 24 January 2022. A digital (via the (…)

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

Great, thanks!

 

[317666]

Has anyone on here flown abroad with Ryanair lately? I'm flying to Germany with them next week and have heard various stories of budget airlines making people pay for tests etc. I've got proof of being double-jabbed (which negates the need for any sort of test to enter Germany) and will obviously fill out the passenger locator form before leaving.

 

[Richard Scott]

Has anyone on here flown abroad with Ryanair lately? I'm flying to Germany with them next week and have heard various stories of budget airlines making people pay for tests etc. I've got proof of being double-jabbed (which negates the need for any sort of test to enter Germany) and will obviously fill out the passenger locator form before leaving.

Flew with them in July, had all necessary paperwork so wasn't an issue. Showed test certificate (was going to Portugal so required), vaccination certificate and locator form and was sorted in under 10 minutes.

 

[johncrossley]

Can vaccinated travellers from the UK visit Switzerland without testing? I thought they could. According to

Entry requirements - Switzerland travel advice

FCDO travel advice for Switzerland. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

Switzerland will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record.

But Manchester United fans were originally not allowed to see tonight's match in Berne because they don't recognise the NHS Covid app. A compromise was made by fans having to go for testing before the match.

 

[big_rig]

Can vaccinated travellers from the UK visit Switzerland without testing? I thought they could. According to

Entry requirements - Switzerland travel advice

FCDO travel advice for Switzerland. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

But Manchester United fans were originally not allowed to see tonight's match in Berne because they don't recognise the NHS Covid app. A compromise was made by fans having to go for testing before the match.

Switzerland has just (as of I think yesterday!) changed their rules around vaccine passports and the NHS app isn’t recognised - it covers nearly all indoor areas one needs as a tourist and outdoor events of any large size unfortunately. So it is effectively off the list until they recognise it - you can’t even use a print-out. Hopefully they sort it out! As an interim measure they are letting unvaccinated tourists take paid PCR tests every three days at a typically Swiss price which isn’t much help.

 

[Watershed]

Switzerland has just (as of I think yesterday!) changed their rules around vaccine passports and the NHS app isn’t recognised - it covers nearly all indoor areas one needs as a tourist and outdoor events of any large size unfortunately. So it is effectively off the list until they recognise it - you can’t even use a print-out. Hopefully they sort it out!

Just one of many problems with vaccine passports...

 

[TheEdge]

Switzerland has just (as of I think yesterday!) changed their rules around vaccine passports and the NHS app isn’t recognised - it covers nearly all indoor areas one needs as a tourist and outdoor events of any large size unfortunately. So it is effectively off the list until they recognise it - you can’t even use a print-out. Hopefully they sort it out! As an interim measure they are letting unvaccinated tourists take paid PCR tests every three days at a typically Swiss price which isn’t much help.

Is it the NHS App in particular or has it just been a change in the rules and the NHS app along with others has been caught in a dragnet?

 

[plugwash]

Switzerland has just (as of I think yesterday!) changed their rules around vaccine passports and the NHS app isn’t recognised - it covers nearly all indoor areas one needs as a tourist and outdoor events of any large size unfortunately. So it is effectively off the list until they recognise it - you can’t even use a print-out. Hopefully they sort it out! As an interim measure they are letting unvaccinated tourists take paid PCR tests every three days at a typically Swiss price which isn’t much help.

I recall mention somewhere that you can scan the QR code from the NHS app with the french covid app and it will generate an EU vaccination certificate.

 

[johncrossley]

Switzerland has just (as of I think yesterday!) changed their rules around vaccine passports and the NHS app isn’t recognised - it covers nearly all indoor areas one needs as a tourist and outdoor events of any large size unfortunately. So it is effectively off the list until they recognise it - you can’t even use a print-out. Hopefully they sort it out! As an interim measure they are letting unvaccinated tourists take paid PCR tests every three days at a typically Swiss price which isn’t much help.

So you are allowed to enter the country but can't go into any restaurants or hotels?