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Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

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Butts

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It’s still a tad up in the air. Boris said it would be in place by the 25th but it’s gone quiet since. No confirmation that Nicola will follow the change.

I'm coming back on the 25th so here's hoping.

Going via LHR so Nicola is not really a concern. I doubt the prices will be that different from "I just want the code operators" between the two.
 
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Ediswan

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Quarantine for those vaccinated only applies to those coming from areas with a "variant of concern". This does does not apply to the UK.
A couple I know have just relocated from England to Germany. That included multiple trips in both directions. No quarantine required.
 

3rd rail land

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I travelled from Palermo airport back to the UK on Sunday 10th October.
I got asked for all my documents, passport, passenger locator form, boarding pass and Covid pass
I got asked for my Covid pass in the security queue
I got asked for my boarding pass when I reached the security scanner.
I got asked for my boarding pass, Covid pass and passenger locator form just before I reached my gate.
Finally my boarding pass was scanned at the gate.

I don't understand the need to check documents so many times at an airport.
I also don't understand why security would have any interest in any of my documents. Surely all they are interested in is the contents of my hand luggage/ items on my person?

On the outbound journey my documents were checked at bag drop and then my boarding pass was scanned at the gate. That was it, which is what I would expect at any airport.
 

317666

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Thanks for the info, have just done a digital entry form, all details entered, jabbed etc, and from UK via Holland, all went well, and then they sent a verification code which I entered into the form, the next page said, address where you will be staying for the 10 days, but also as you say other sites say entry no problem, unless they have not caught up with the change on 30/09 ?

I'd imagine having to put your address in is because it's the same form for everyone, so it would be needed for those who do need to isolate. I've just had another look at the form myself and it doesn't seem to have changed from when I flew out on September 20th. Crucially it still says:

'Exemptions from the quarantine obligation exist, for instance, for persons who have been vaccinated or have recovered from infection.'

I do agree with your other point regarding conflicting information though!
 

kevin_roche

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I travelled from Palermo airport back to the UK on Sunday 10th October.
I got asked for all my documents, passport, passenger locator form, boarding pass and Covid pass
I got asked for my Covid pass in the security queue
I got asked for my boarding pass when I reached the security scanner.
I got asked for my boarding pass, Covid pass and passenger locator form just before I reached my gate.
Finally my boarding pass was scanned at the gate.

It was much the same at Chania, Crete last week. On top of that, they moved all the passengers outside for 20 mins while we waited to cross from the gate to the plane. There was a stiff cold breeze. Maybe they were hardening us off for arrival at a much colder Gatwick!
 

3rd rail land

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It was much the same at Chania, Crete last week. On top of that, they moved all the passengers outside for 20 mins while we waited to cross from the gate to the plane. There was a stiff cold breeze. Maybe they were hardening us off for arrival at a much colder Gatwick!
At least I got to wait inside on the ramp that leads from the gate to the plane whilst Ryanair disembarked passengers just 15 minutes before my flight was due to take off. Needless to say we left just shy of 40 minutes late and Ryanair didn't seem to care.
I must remember never to fly with Ryanair again. Cost me more than my outbound flight on EasyJet as well.
 

Iskra

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I travelled from Palermo airport back to the UK on Sunday 10th October.
I got asked for all my documents, passport, passenger locator form, boarding pass and Covid pass
I got asked for my Covid pass in the security queue
I got asked for my boarding pass when I reached the security scanner.
I got asked for my boarding pass, Covid pass and passenger locator form just before I reached my gate.
Finally my boarding pass was scanned at the gate.

I don't understand the need to check documents so many times at an airport.
I also don't understand why security would have any interest in any of my documents. Surely all they are interested in is the contents of my hand luggage/ items on my person?

On the outbound journey my documents were checked at bag drop and then my boarding pass was scanned at the gate. That was it, which is what I would expect at any airport.
I entered Catania, Sicily about 10 days ago. They asked for nothing, including the 2 forms BA asked us to fill out on the flight there. Leaving from Lamezia Terme airport on Saturday, so we shall see what that’s like…

Flight back is with Ryanair; it wasn’t my choice of flight sadly… Everytime I say I will never fly with them again!
 

350401

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Flew from Heathrow to Vienna on 1/10, and back on 10/10, with British Airways. Going out, uploaded my NHS Vaccine Passport which was exported from NHS App, onto the BA website prior to Check-in, but no other documents required. Upon arrival in Vienna, they checked the QR code on the NHS App on my phone and stamped my passport. Upon return, I had to complete the passenger locator form - and on that form had to provide the Day 2 test code and Vaccine Passport QR code, again from the NHS App. At check in, I simply confirmed these had been provided. At Heathrow, apart from a 15 minute queue for the e-passport gates, there were no checks and everything was very smooth. Generally, pretty hassle free. Vienna itself was a bit of a nightmare though - Vaccine Passports AND FFP2 masks for all indoor destinations. Talk about gold plating. They did accept the NHS Letter as proof of vaccination, or a paper printout of the NHS App. The App itself was kind of accepted, but they always tried to scan the QR code, which failed - however, a quick comment of "Brexit eh?" generally smoothed over any issues.
 

317666

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Generally, pretty hassle free. Vienna itself was a bit of a nightmare though - Vaccine Passports AND FFP2 masks for all indoor destinations.

A shame, Vienna is my favourite city but I struggle with FFP2 masks so it doesn't look like I'll be going any time soon. Hopefully the Austrians will change their mind regarding vaccines having to have been administered within 270 days.
 

350401

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A shame, Vienna is my favourite city but I struggle with FFP2 masks so it doesn't look like I'll be going any time soon. Hopefully the Austrians will change their mind regarding vaccines having to have been administered within 270 days.
FFP2 Masks were a right pain, but I think they are limited to Vienna. Outside of Vienna, it is standard cloth masks. Vaccine passports are now valid from 360 days from the second dose or 270 days from infection. I reckon that'll change again and be extended before they start to expire for the majority of people, particularly if most countries are not offering boosters to the under 50's.
 

Cdd89

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Presumably, however, PCR will remain available as an option. They are useful for passengers stopping over in the UK, with a connection to a country that requires a PCR test for entry – such passengers can get “double value“ out of the test in that way.
 

danm14

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Presumably, however, PCR will remain available as an option. They are useful for passengers stopping over in the UK, with a connection to a country that requires a PCR test for entry – such passengers can get “double value“ out of the test in that way.
Do approved Day 2 PCR tests give the result in a format that will be accepted for international travel?

I've never taken one, but I would have assumed that for most providers it would just be a text message or email result with no information beyond "negative" like an NHS test so the test providers can further fleece people.
 

kingston_toon

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Do approved Day 2 PCR tests give the result in a format that will be accepted for international travel?

I've never taken one, but I would have assumed that for most providers it would just be a text message or email result with no information beyond "negative" like an NHS test so the test providers can further fleece people.
I've booked several short back-to-back European trips this summer using Randox as my day two test (£43) and also either the pre-departure test or even return to UK test for the next (for very short trips). Their PDF certificate contains all the necessary information for both.
 

Butts

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I return back to UK on 23rd. Miss out by one day

I'm back from Dusseldorf on 25th so possibly quids in ?

Hopefully Scotland is going to fall into line although I am coming back via LHR anyway.

Still can't use the NHS one which are handed out free like smarties up here :frown:
 

island

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I wouldn’t consider a single test on return to be a “restriction” but I accept some people do.
 

Smidster

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I wouldn’t consider a single test on return to be a “restriction” but I accept some people do.

How can it possibly not be described as a restriction?

You can only come into England if you consent to pay for a medical test.

That is very much a restriction to me!
 

Watershed

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How can it possibly not be described as a restriction?

You can only come into England if you consent to pay for a medical test.

That is very much a restriction to me!
Not just that, but once you are back, you have no choice on taking it. It is effectively a forced medical procedure (albeit not within the definition used by the Public Health Act).
 

LAX54

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Oh, you can go there restriction free in 90% of cases. You just can't return restriction free :lol:
So Can I just recap, Into The Netherlands from the UK its double jabbed, and a PCR or Antigen test, (then maybe a daily test if eating out) and if you wish to drive over the border into Germany, it is just the NHS proof of double vaccination and no PCR/Antigen needed ? :)
 

island

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As it stands – yes.

Though the rules may have changed in the time it took me to type this post.
 

LAX54

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As it stands – yes.

Though the rules may have changed in the time it took me to type this post.
Thanks @island appreciated, it was a thought that suddenly struck me, off to Holland, and always pop over the border, the need for covid pcr etc did not enter my head ! but good to know (at 1030 on 15th Oct ! ) we don't need one, just the NHS jab cert :)
 

kevin_roche

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Having arrived back from Crete last Friday I did my day 2 test on Sunday and got a negative result on Tuesday.

Unfortunately, it seems that someone on the same flight got a positive result and I was contacted by test and trace as a close contact and asked to take a PCR test, which I took on Wednesday morning. I got a negative result on Thursday.

The contact was from test and trace rather than the NHS Covid application. So it wasn't as a result of sitting near someone on the flight or the half-hour queue for immigration at Gatwick.

Since I had to submit my seat number I assume it must mean that someone on a nearby seat was positive in their test. Does anyone know how close they have to be sitting or do they just ask everyone on the same plane to take another test?
 

danm14

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The Daily Telegraph is saying Lateral Flow tests for returning fully vaccinated travellers will start on Monday 24th October, available to book from Friday 22nd.

(corrected from PCR to Lateral flow).
So effectively, "Testing for vaccinated travellers scrapped, replaced by mandatory travel tax payable to Tory donors".

As of course we all know that a lateral flow test will return a guaranteed negative result if a key step involving a long stick with some cotton on the end is accidentally skipped - not that I, or anyone else here, would be so careless.

It's a very positive step, but it's also an outright admission without the slightest attempt to hide that it's about the money, not the testing.
 

Cdd89

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The contact was from test and trace rather than the NHS Covid application. So it wasn't as a result of sitting near someone on the flight or the half-hour queue for immigration at Gatwick.
It’s almost certainly someone near you on the flight. Many people don’t have the COVID-19 app anymore, and those residing outside the U.K. are never likely to have had it.


a lateral flow test will return a guaranteed negative result if a key step involving a long stick with some cotton on the end is accidentally skipped
If you just put buffer in without adding any cells it returns an inconclusive result, not negative.
 
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