Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

[joebassman]

With Eurostar it’s a test still if your unvaccinated or only had one vaccine or two. Holland still won’t let anybody in unvaccinated

Oh well. No magic mushroom retreats for me then. Lol

 

[VauxhallandI]

I think @Citybreak1 is referring to the testing requirement for unvaccinated arrivals.

Ah ok I see

 

[duncanp]

Now then locktivists, would anyone care to justify this?

A million people under lockdown in Wuhan over FOUR (yes FOUR) COVID cases.

Hasn't it gone quiet all of a sudden? I think I just heard a fly break wind due to flatulence.

Covid in China: Million in lockdown in Wuhan after four cases

The city where Covid began is under partial lockdown for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

www.bbc.co.uk

Covid in China: Million in lockdown in Wuhan after four cases​

Almost one million people in a suburb of Wuhan - China's central city where the coronavirus was first recorded - have been placed under lockdown.
Jiangxia district residents have been ordered to stay inside their homes or compounds for three days after four asymptomatic Covid cases were detected.
China follows a "zero Covid" strategy, including mass testing, strict isolation rules and local lockdowns.
This has resulted in far fewer deaths than in many other countries.
But the strategy is facing growing opposition as people and businesses continue to face the strain of restrictions.
In Wuhan, a city of 12 million people, regular testing uncovered two asymptomatic cases two days ago.
Two more cases were found through contact tracing, and shortly after the lockdown order was issued.
Wuhan became known around the world in early 2020 as the first place scientists detected the new coronavirus - and the first city to be put under harsh restrictive measures.
At the time, the wider world was shocked by the strict lockdown, but many cities and countries were soon forced to impose their own similar measures.
Later, China became known as a Covid success story, with restrictions lifted much earlier than in many other countries.
But that has changed again, with China pursuing a "zero Covid" strategy resulting in frequent local lockdowns, rather than trying to live with the virus as in most other countries.
Last month, Shanghai - China's giant financial capital with nearly 25 million residents - finally emerged from a strict two-month lockdown, though residents are adapting to a "new normal" of frequent mass testing.
A rising number of Chinese companies and factory production lines are maintaining a closed-loop system in order to follow the goal of completely eliminating Covid.
In order to keep parts of the economy open, employees have been told to live temporarily in their workplaces to minimise contact between work and home.

Earlier this week, scientists said there was "compelling evidence" that Wuhan's Huanan seafood and wildlife market was at the centre of the Covid outbreak.
Two peer-reviewed studies re-examined information from the initial outbreak in the city.
One of the studies shows that the earliest known cases were clustered around that market. The other uses genetic information to track the timing of the outbreak.
It suggests there were two variants introduced into humans in November or early December 2019.
Together, the researchers said this evidence suggests that the virus was present in live mammals that were sold at Huanan market in late 2019.
They said it was transmitted to people who were working or shopping there in two separate "spill-over events", where a human contracted the virus from an animal.
One of the researchers involved, virologist Prof David Robertson from the University of Glasgow, told BBC News that he hoped the studies would "correct the false record that the virus came from a lab".
China has seen more than 2.2 million cases and 14,720 deaths since the pandemic began in 2019, according to America's Johns Hopkins University.

 

[scarby]

Currently travelling from Stockholm to London by rail.

Very few masks seen now, much less than when I was out and about over the winter.

However there is the ridiculous German insistence of masks on trains. This means for example we had to don masks from Padborg on the Copenhagen to Hamburg train, despite having already sat maskless next to the same people for 3 hours.

No need to wear anywhere else in Germany and wearage is low - most people wait until the last moment before boarding the train to mask up.

It is completely farcical and whoever has insisted on this pointless imposition needs to be made to resign for gross incompetence.

 

[kristiang85]

Just been uploading my documents for my Iberia flight to Panama - yep, it's told me about 3 times I MUST have a mask on the 11hr flight. Even though they also say that the air is circulated through heat engines that sterilise it anyway.
How utterly pointless.

When I booked this a year ago, I really thought this nonsense would be over by then! Oh well, the in flight trolley is going to be busy I guess...

 

[Peterthegreat]

I have been in Spain for the last couple of weeks. Mask wearing compulsory on public transport and observed by 95% + of passengers. Those not wearing them told to put one on by on-board staff. In one case police were called and evicted a pair of non compliant passengers. (Although this may have been due to their attitude rather than not wearing masks).

 

[nw1]

I have been in Spain for the last couple of weeks. Mask wearing compulsory on public transport and observed by 95% + of passengers. Those not wearing them told to put one on by on-board staff. In one case police were called and evicted a pair of non compliant passengers. (Although this may have been due to their attitude rather than not wearing masks).

I've heard Spain has had particularly potent heatwaves this year.

The question must surely be asked that surely it's better for overall health - in summer 2022 - if masks are not compulsory on public transport? In hot weather it's important to be able to breathe properly.

 

[Peterthegreat]

Most trains are air conditioned.

 

[D6130]

Rumours are circulating that France is about to re-introduce compulsory mask-wearing on public transport due to un upsurge in Covid cases.

 

[duncanp]

Rumours are circulating that France is about to re-introduce compulsory mask-wearing on public transport due to un upsurge in Covid cases.

Do you have a source for this.

On doing a google search for "...le port du masque dans les transports en commun..." (mask wearing on public transport) , the most recent article I could find was one from France Bleu dated 27th June saying that the Ministry of Health "recommends" the use of masks on public transport, without making them mandatory.

If you look at the COVID statistics for France you can see that the 7 day average for new cases per day peaked at 127,737 a couple of weeks later than the article, on 10th July, and the latest figure is 55,479 for 28th July, a fall of just over 56%.

There would be very little point in introducing mandatory face coverings in France now, as the current wave of cases has clearly peaked, just as it has in the UK.

Declaration of interest : I am going on holiday to France from 6th - 15th September.

 

[D6130]

Do you have a source for this?

Nothing reliable as yet....I did say rumours! My retired French railwayman friend, with whom we stay in Paris en route to and from our place in Italy, has told me that it's being discussed on French TV political chat shows as a possibility for the Autumn, now that the new French government is in place.

Declaration of interest : I am going on holiday to France from 6th - 15th September.

Similarly, we shall be travelling through France, en route to Italy, in late September, returning in early November, so we're keeping our fingers crossed....although we are aware that we'll have to wear masks in Italy, at least on the outward journey, as their current rules are due to be reviewed on 30th September.

 

[duncanp]

Nothing reliable as yet....I did say rumours! My retired French railwayman friend, with whom we stay in Paris en route to and from our place in Italy, has told me that it's being discussed on French TV political chat shows as a possibility for the Autumn, now that the new French government is in place.

That is a bit of a relief.

As I say, cases are now falling in France, and are likely to continue doing so for the next month or so.

This makes it less likely that anything will happen, especially during August when a lot of France, especially in Paris, shuts down.

I guess whether anything happens in France will depend on what happens to cases after "La Rentree" in September.

Which means that I should be safe for my holiday during that month.

 

[kristiang85]

Most trains are air conditioned.

As someone currently sitting on an air conditioned Spanish train in a mask, it really still isn't pleasant. The damn thing is already soaked.

 

[Richard Scott]

As someone currently sitting on an air conditioned Spanish train in a mask, it really still isn't pleasant. The damn thing is already soaked.

Sounds like you need a good long drink!

 

[pnepaul]

I have just returned from a Lourdes pilgrimage.

We were told we would need a vaccination passport to enter France, not checked or needed. Very little mask wearing around Lourdes.

However, our charter flight was Spanish-owned, which said mask wearing was mandatory on their planes and was enforced. Which was a bit odd as we went no were near Spain!

 

[yorkie]

I have just returned from a Lourdes pilgrimage.

We were told we would need a vaccination passport to enter France, not checked or needed. Very little mask wearing around Lourdes.

However, our charter flight was Spanish-owned, which said mask wearing was mandatory on their planes and was enforced. Which was a bit odd as we went no were near Spain!

Best thing to do is have plenty of drinks available , or even better avoid anything Spanish operated. Some Spanish people seem to have a very unhealthy distrust of Covid vaccines yet put a lot of faith into flimsy loose fitting masks. On the occasions where I've worn a mask in Spain I've made sure it's one that is very breathable

Sounds like you need a good long drink!

Preferente class is highly recommended on the High Speed services. Or failing that bring plenty of water. Or both!

 

[Butts]

I have just returned from a Lourdes pilgrimage.

We were told we would need a vaccination passport to enter France, not checked or needed. Very little mask wearing around Lourdes.

However, our charter flight was Spanish-owned, which said mask wearing was mandatory on their planes and was enforced. Which was a bit odd as we went no were near Spain!

Sounds like you needed a bit of "Divine Intervention"

 

[Peterthegreat]

Best thing to do is have plenty of drinks available , or even better avoid anything Spanish operated. Some Spanish people seem to have a very unhealthy distrust of Covid vaccines yet put a lot of faith into flimsy loose fitting masks. On the occasions where I've worn a mask in Spain I've made sure it's one that is very breathable

Preferente class is highly recommended on the High Speed services. Or failing that bring plenty of water. Or both!

Preferente no longer exists! You can now choose to travel in (elige) confort (no meal) or premium with meal. AVE services only.

 

[kristiang85]

Sounds like you need a good long drink!

It was an urban one so I didn't have one on me, but indeed long drinks have been a theme of the day as it's 37c here

 

[yorkie]

Preferente no longer exists! You can now choose to travel in (elige) confort (no meal) or premium with meal. AVE services only.

Well, whatever it was called, we did it this Summer and it included wine, tea/coffee and sandwiches, though I wouldn't call it a meal as such.

 

[robbob700]

Currently at Lake Garda on Italy. There is no enforcement of masks on the buses and probably only around 20% wearing them. On the ferries, they insist on masks for boarding (and give you one if you don't have one with you). Everyone immediately takes them off on the open decks and leaves them off for disembarking. On the cable car up Monte Baldo masks are strictly enforced.

 

[Citybreak1]

France has dropped all entry requirements now

 

[westv]

France has dropped all entry requirements now

I hope Spain follows soon.

 

[Citybreak1]

I hope Spain follows soon.

I am hoping it’s permanent. My fear is we get to winter and the rules come back. I was quite surprised at France but now I can book a Eurostar trip to France again.

 

[Eyersey468]

I hope Spain follows soon.

So do I

I am hoping it’s permanent. My fear is we get to winter and the rules come back. I was quite surprised at France but now I can book a Eurostar trip to France again.

That's my concern too

 

[Peterthegreat]

I hope Spain follows soon.

If you enter Spain from France there are no restrictions.

 

[westv]

If you enter Spain from France there are no restrictions.

Bit difficult unless the plane does a touch and go in France.

 

[duncanp]

France has dropped all entry requirements now

Do you have a source for this?

Our wonderful Foreign Office is still saying that you need to provide proof of being fully vaccinated, or take a test, in order to enter France.

 

[Citybreak1]

Do you have a source for this?

Our wonderful Foreign Office is still saying that you need to provide proof of being fully vaccinated, or take a test, in order to enter France.

It’s on Eurostar website

 

[P Binnersley]

Still vaccination certificate or negative test according to the French Government website.

Coming to France: French nationals, foreigners, students and international researchers​

• Vaccinated travellers no longer have to be tested before departure. Proof of full vaccination once again suffices to enter France, regardless of the country of departure, as was the case before the spread of the Omicron variant.

• Unvaccinated travellers are still required to present a negative test result to enter France, but the measures upon arrival (test, isolation) have been lifted when they arrive from a “green” country where there is limited circulation of the virus.

Edit - Last updated 13th June 2022