Should travel abroad be restricted to vaccinated people only?

[nlogax]

Let the boomers all go to Cyprus. It's just been agreed that those in receipt of two jabs can go there from May 17th. Everyone else.. off to Portugal where you'll be let in with a negative Covid test.

 

[35B]

There are some great places in the UK, but 90% are dependent on good weather to make the most of them, that is what is not guaranteed in the UK, which is why people go to Spain, Florida etc, as they are 99% certain of getting warm sunny weather.
I can see many going if the Countries concerned allow it, regardless of what the FCO say !

They may. Just so long as I don’t have to observe their wails of shock and pain when they find their insurance is void or they otherwise lose out because they have chosen to take a bet that they lose.

 

[Yew]

Let the boomers all go to Cyprus. It's just been agreed that those in receipt of two jabs can go there from May 17th. Everyone else.. off to Portugal where you'll be let in with a negative Covid test.

Or subject to enforced isolation if you aren't negative.

 

[Chester1]

They may. Just so long as I don’t have to observe their wails of shock and pain when they find their insurance is void or they otherwise lose out because they have chosen to take a bet that they lose.

I have been abroad against foreign office advice (to a place that had half the UK covid rate at that time). Its easy to get insurance for travel against covid advice and that covers all healthcare. Its only covid related cancellations that are not normally covered, so I booked accommodation with free cancellation. Holidays not being "allowed" until at least 17th May (if it all) is a lie to persuade people not to go. It will be allowed when it is not illegal to go and other countries welcome British tourists. As the law stands that is when the stay at home restriction is lifted.

 

[londonteacher]

I cannot support domestic restrictions based on some sort of "domestic vaccine passport". However, if Cyprus decides they will not allow visitors who are unvaccinated that is entirely their call as a sovereign state. There is no absolute right to visit any foreign country.

Completely agree but that goes against what some people on this thread believe. I think it's ironic that people think they have a right to tell another country what their policies should be but we left the EU because apparently we were being told what to do. We can't have it both ways!

 

[Yew]

Completely agree but that goes against what some people on this thread believe. I think it's ironic that people think they have a right to tell another country what their policies should be but we left the EU because apparently we were being told what to do. We can't have it both ways!

If you're fine with age discrimination against the group who have sacrificed most, and gained the least throughout this saga, then I'm glad we disagree.

Risk based restrictions on vaccine access are only morally acceptable if there is no discrimination based on vaccine status.

 

[londonteacher]

If you're fine with age discrimination against the group who have sacrificed most, and gained the least throughout this saga, then I'm glad we disagree.

Risk based restrictions on vaccine access are only morally acceptable if there is no discrimination based on vaccine status.

It's only age discrimination because of the UK's vaccination policy. Other countries have different priorities.

International travel is not a right.

No-one is being told they can't go on holiday - you can go on holiday in the UK.

 

[packermac]

I have been abroad against foreign office advice (to a place that had half the UK covid rate at that time). Its easy to get insurance for travel against covid advice and that covers all healthcare. Its only covid related cancellations that are not normally covered, so I booked accommodation with free cancellation. Holidays not being "allowed" until at least 17th May (if it all) is a lie to persuade people not to go. It will be allowed when it is not illegal to go and other countries welcome British tourists. As the law stands that is when the stay at home restriction is lifted.

My understanding is that virtually all travel insurance policies will refuse to pay out if you travel against FCO advice, other than of course policies written (at a suitable inflated cost) specifically for that reason.
So I am sure they will sell you one, but did you actually try claiming against it?

 

[Chester1]

My understanding is that virtually all travel insurance policies will refuse to pay out if you travel against FCO advice, other than of course policies written (at a suitable inflated cost) specifically for that reason.
So I am sure they will sell you one, but did you actually try claiming against it?

That was the case before the pandemic but there are at least 4 UK insurers that offer insurance to travel against FCO advice as long as its specfic to covid. TUI insurance (through Rock Insurance) is probably the most popular that does. I didn't need to claim. It was a normal policy by a reputable mid sized insurer, that just missed out cancellation for covid related cancellations (which I side stepped by booking accommodation with free cancellation). Aside from November lockdown the "ban" on foreign holidays in the second half of last year was due to quarantine requirements or in peoples heads.

It looks like the Govermment might be firming up the ban with their form. Its hard to tell because the media has been reporting advice as a ban for 12 months... Its not yet clear what the legal situation will be on 29th March.

 

[Bantamzen]

Whilst I agree with the general idea of your comments, I'm not sure the hyperbole really helps. Most people working from home have not been "pretending to work whilst watching netflix", and holidays in the UK can absolutely be just as fun and exciting as holidays abroad (it doesn't have to be "sitting in a soggy field" or in a "Crappy B&B" - we do have some amazing places to visit in this country too!). If anything most people I know cannot wait for any kind of holiday and some are specifically planning trips to "sit in a soggy field" for the summer!

OK, I'll admit I might have been a little OTT on the description there. There are some amazing places to visit in the UK, but there are also so many more amazing places elsewhere. And many of them can give you at least some guarantee of decent weather, because not everyone enjoys sitting in soggy fields, or for that matter sitting in fields. As an example the only time you'll find me anywhere near a tent in a field will be if there is a hotel, bar & restaurant attached. In fact who needs the tent? Better still if the hotel etc are attached to somewhere warm and sunny...

 

[Yew]

No-one is being told they can't go on holiday - you can go on holiday in the UK.

Margate, wonderful, that makes giving up a year of my life worth it.

 

[londonteacher]

Margate, wonderful, that makes giving up a year of my life worth it.

Plenty of other places in the UK to visit. As I have said previously international treasure is not a right it's a luxury.

 

[STINT47]

As a reward for your sacrifices you can win a second prize of two weeks in Bognor. If your really lucky first prize is one week in Bognor

 

[DustyBin]

Plenty of other places in the UK to visit. As I have said previously international treasure is not a right it's a luxury.

I’m not actually sure that’s the point here. Whether it’s a right or a luxury, people (predominantly young people) are being denied access to it as a result of government policy which has resulted from constant scaremongering (not dissimilar to much of what we’ve had to endure for the last year). There are thousands of mutations out there, this is yet another case of a group of people using hypothetical doomsday scenarios to justify restricting what we can and can’t do. If older more vulnerable people can travel on the basis that they’re very unlikely to become ill as they’ve been vaccinated, why can’t young fit and healthy people travel on basis that they’re very unlikely to become ill as they’re, well, young fit and healthy?

To be honest, foreign travel is the least of my concerns this year, I enjoy holidaying in the UK, but it annoys me to see those who would like to travel abroad unable to do so because of yet another nonsensical policy.

 

[londonteacher]

I’m not actually sure that’s the point here. Whether it’s a right or a luxury, people (predominantly young people) are being denied access to it as a result of government policy which has resulted from constant scaremongering (not dissimilar to much of what we’ve had to endure for the last year). There are thousands of mutations out there, this is yet another case of a group of people using hypothetical doomsday scenarios to justify restricting what we can and can’t do. If older more vulnerable people can travel on the basis that they’re very unlikely to become ill as they’ve been vaccinated, why can’t young fit and healthy people travel on basis that they’re very unlikely to become ill as they’re, well, young fit and healthy?

To be honest, foreign travel is the least of my concerns this year, I enjoy holidaying in the UK, but it annoys me to see those who would like to travel abroad unable to do so because of yet another nonsensical policy.

But holidays and international travel are the least important reason of vaccination!

Older and vulnerable people were prioritised for many different reasons.

I for one love international travel regularly travel to the US as well as around Europe and I would love to and have rescheduled plans to this year.

I am also a young-ish (27) person so I am unlikely to have had both doses by the summer.

In answer to the thread question I don't think people should be restricted in travelling abroad and I'm sure the rules that the UK will set will allow international travel regardless of vaccination status. But, this doesn't mean, and most likely won't, be reciprocated by other countries.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Plenty of other places in the UK to visit. As I have said previously international treasure is not a right it's a luxury.

You’ve got to be tripping. UK holidays make me more miserable than staying at home in the main.

Going to France is a luxury?

You may think that but believe me you are in a minority

 

[londonteacher]

You’ve got to be tripping. UK holidays make me more miserable than staying at home in the main.

Going to France is a luxury?

You may think that but believe me you are in a minority

International travel is a luxury. Not everyone's right.

If UK holidays make you miserable then that is your issue!

 

[Chester1]

You’ve got to be tripping. UK holidays make me more miserable than staying at home in the main.

Going to France is a luxury?

You may think that but believe me you are in a minority

In Greater Manchester its been illegal for all but 3 weeks of the 50 weeks to entertain anyone at home unless one of you lives alone and you are in a bubble. Ignoring rights over platonic socialising, its apparently now a luxury not a right for consenting adults to have sex if they are not living together, unless outdoors.... Its a truely bizarre world we are now living in.

But holidays and international travel are the least important reason of vaccination!

Older and vulnerable people were prioritised for many different reasons.

I for one love international travel regularly travel to the US as well as around Europe and I would love to and have rescheduled plans to this year.

I am also a young-ish (27) person so I am unlikely to have had both doses by the summer.

In answer to the thread question I don't think people should be restricted in travelling abroad and I'm sure the rules that the UK will set will allow international travel regardless of vaccination status. But, this doesn't mean, and most likely won't, be reciprocated by other countries.

Last year the luxury was not just going abroad but rubbing it in the faces of lockdown enthusiasts. Its amazing how two holidays using travel corridors and one legal holiday against travel advice was morally wrong but the breaches of the law that people allowed themselves were fine...

 

[londonteacher]

I a

In Greater Manchester its been illegal for all but 3 weeks of the 50 weeks to entertain anyone at home unless one of you lives alone and you are in a bubble. Ignoring rights over platonic socialising, its apparently now a luxury not a right for consenting adults to have sex if they are not living together, unless outdoors.... Its a truely bizarre world we are now living in.



Last year the luxury was not just going abroad but rubbing it in the faces of lockdown enthusiasts. Its amazing how two holidays using travel corridors and one legal holiday against travel advice was morally wrong but the breaches of the law that people allowed themselves were fine...

I agree. The UK rules don't and haven't made sense throughout and I do feel sorry for the people in Manchester and Leicester also.

 

[Silver Cobra]

While I can completely understand younger people feeling rather annoyed if a requirement of having a vaccine is placed on being able to holiday abroad, for myself it doesn't bother me too much personally. As someone under the age of 40, I know I won't be getting my vaccine for a while yet. However, I'm perfectly content with having just a few day trips or a short break here in the UK. Despite the fact I've had a passport since September 2013, I've not gone abroad at all in my life. Spending time on the east coast, be that somewhere like Great Yarmouth or Scarborough, does me fine. The weather isn't always that bad here in Blighty, and in fact last year, the week I spent in Great Yarmouth was pretty sunny and hot throughout. Of course, I do hope to be able to eventually go somewhere like the US or Japan in my lifetime (probably won't happen until next decade).

 

[VauxhallandI]

International travel is a luxury. Not everyone's right.

If UK holidays make you miserable then that is your issue!

Thanks for that.

What utter twaddle

 

[Yew]

In Greater Manchester its been illegal for all but 3 weeks of the 50 weeks to entertain anyone at home unless one of you lives alone and you are in a bubble. Ignoring rights over platonic socialising, its apparently now a luxury not a right for consenting adults to have sex if they are not living together, unless outdoors.... Its a truely bizarre world we are now living in.

We all have the right to family life, but that doesn't seem to matter. I think that this has shown once and for all that rights are not fundamental truths, a minimum standard of human existence that should never be breached, but can be batted away by governments without the slightest inconvenience.

 

[Scotrail12]

International holidays might be a luxury rather than a right per-se but they are certainly not something that you should be told whether or not you can go on by a government.

 

[londonteacher]

International holidays might be a luxury rather than a right per-se but they are certainly not something that you should be told whether or not you can go on by a government.

Agreed. But, countries can choose their entry requirements as I have previously stated.

 

[Chester1]

Agreed. But, countries can choose their entry requirements as I have previously stated.

It is very clear that vaccinated Brits will have many options within a few weeks, non vaccinated Brits will still have multiple options.

I can't see the Government maintaining a legal block on going abroad for long. The politics of it are awful. Its one thing to have quarantine requirements, its another to make it a criminal offence just to go on holiday outside of the UK (after the lockdown has been lifted).

 

[Planesandtrain]

You’ve got to be tripping. UK holidays make me more miserable than staying at home in the main.

Going to France is a luxury?

You may think that but believe me you are in a minority

I think that is what people forget when they go on about shutting down all the borders and going for the New Zealand style approach. Calais is a 20 min train ride from Folkestone. It's hardly halfway across the globe!

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

I've already had 1 vaccine and the next due in late April. I'll be on the plane to my apartment in Belize as soon as I've had the second one where I'll be staying until this has all blown over. Couldn't care less what the restrictions on leaving the UK are. Sick of what the UK has become.

Belize already has a policy:

If you can provide proof of having received two full doses of COVID-19 vaccine on arrival at the airport, you will be exempt from any testing on arrival

 

[Richard Scott]

International travel is a luxury. Not everyone's right.

If UK holidays make you miserable then that is your issue!

In your opinion. Maybe you'd enjoy a stint in North Korea or similar as they gave similar ideas? You may not enjoy or be bothered about foreign holidays but to many people, myself included, it's important to our wellbeing. I enjoy experiencing other cultures, languages, railway systems etc. If you don't that's fine and your choice but please stop stating it's an unnecessary luxury just because it doesn't float your boat.

 

[londonteacher]

In your opinion. Maybe you'd enjoy a stint in North Korea or similar as they gave similar ideas? You may not enjoy or be bothered about foreign holidays but to many people, myself included, it's important to our wellbeing. I enjoy experiencing other cultures, languages, railway systems etc. If you don't that's fine and your choice but please stop stating it's an unnecessary luxury just because it doesn't float your boat.

Actually I love travelling, spend as much as I can travelling. Christmas 2020 in the US, a weekend January 2020 in Berlin and a day trip to Venice in February 2020.

I will, hopefully, be in the US in August and Kenya over Christmas.

Travelling abroad is important but its a luxury.

 

[cactustwirly]

It's only age discrimination because of the UK's vaccination policy. Other countries have different priorities.

International travel is not a right.

No-one is being told they can't go on holiday - you can go on holiday in the UK.

A holiday in the UK isn't really a holiday though.
It's not going to be relaxing or enjoyable if Everyman and their dog flocks to Costa del Bournemouth's or Cornwall