Should travel abroad be restricted to vaccinated people only?

[SouthEastBuses]

It does annoy me when older people think that younger people have a year of their lives damaged for their own protection. It is to protect 50+ and a small number of under 50s with specific health conditions. Some acceptance that younger people have taken a hit for the greater good would be nice.

Plenty of younger Brits had sufficient holidays in the UK as children to last a life time. The UK is nice for short breaks but for the majority its poor option for a main holiday due to the climate and lack of new cultural experiences and the high cost and low quality of accommodation.

I am very confident that two doses will not be mandatory for several short haul destinations this summer. Cyprus is focusing on older (richer) Brits but other countries will settle for younger (poorer) Brits and set their requirements accordingly. My recommendations for short haul holiday options this summer are Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia. They will try to grab a larger section of the market this summer and target young and middle aged Brits. I think Spain is likely to accept people who have had their first dose.

Spain, Greece (and I think Portugal too) will also allow people who haven't been vaccinated into their country provided they test negative for covid.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

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.

And Greece and Spain, which again, you'll be allowed there provided you tested negative.

 

[DustyBin]

Completely agree with you on that - but be careful can't have that opinion on here! People don't seem to realise that other countries have the right to determine their own border restrictions because it seems that the UK has a god-given right to travel wherever we want to!

I couldn’t disagree more, it’s nothing to do with a sense of entitlement. It’s got everything to do with certain groups being prevented from doing what they were free to do twelve months ago for no good reason.

If other countries want to prevent people visiting that’s another matter, I’m sure though not all will so people will have options in that regard. Personally I wouldn’t expect countries who’ve been slow to roll out their vaccines to allow visitors for example, not until they’ve caught up. I think we’re conflating two separate issues here though....

 

[Cdd89]

They are part of our country though so completely different.

You’re arguing nationalism, not science.

 

[LAX54]

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).

Great Yarmouth... did you not see the flood of cars leaving ? LOL, even the Summer Saturday Rail service has vanished into thin air, Yarmouth is a shadow of it's former self, once you have been to somewhere warm, sunny, somewhere that you are welcomed by everyone, then the UK can become a little dismal although not everywhere of course

 

[Bantamzen]

They are part of our country though so completely different.

Why? Like I say, borders are a man-made construct, just lines in the sand. A great author once wrote that men arguing over who owns the land is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog. So what's the difference between a county border in England & a country border? Answer, politicians. This whole situation should be teaching that life is too short to throw up boundaries, so why not use 2021 to open them up so we can all learn a little more from everyone instead of hiding in boxes?

 

[nedchester]

Why? Like I say, borders are a man-made construct, just lines in the sand. A great author once wrote that men arguing over who owns the land is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog. So what's the difference between a county border in England & a country border? Answer, politicians. This whole situation should be teaching that life is too short to throw up boundaries, so why not use 2021 to open them up so we can all learn a little more from everyone instead of hiding in boxes?

Quite.

Of course until recently we did have 'freedom of movement' to a large number of European Countries but that right was taken away from me by a number of bigots still thinking the UK had an Empire!

 

[Richard Scott]

Because you can still go on holiday in the UK. You can still experience different cultures within the UK, new food and see amazing places all without leaving the UK.

So are we saying that if you cannot afford to travel abroad your mental health will be bad? I know that everyone has their own mental health triggers and it is possible but it is getting ridiculous the level of entitlement.

It's nothing to doing with entitlement, you were saying that travel abroad isn't important to mental health. I said in your opinion which you're still giving. We know your opinion and that's fine, you're entitled to it but that doesn't mean it's the only one.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Don't give me that old rubbish. We've all given up a lot to save each other. Plenty of places to visit in the UK for a holiday so perhaps the "young" should explore their own country until such time as they can holiday abroad.

I take it you are not in that age group? Your views might be very different if you personally were affected

 

[Gadget88]

Ex

Spain, Greece (and I think Portugal too) will also allow people who haven't been vaccinated into their country provided they test negative for covid.

I hope a wide range of tests are accepted. Right now I would have to travel to Edinburgh airport for a fit to fly one if I wanted to take a Eurostar should some countries require it on entry. Shouldn’t train stations offer similar testing centres to allow travel? Home kits would be easier

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Ex

I hope a wide range of tests are accepted. Right now I would have to travel to Edinburgh airport for a fit to fly one if I wanted to take a Eurostar should some countries require it on entry. Shouldn’t train stations offer similar testing centres to allow travel? Home kits would be easier

Hopefully they will. I am desperate to go abroad, I'm so bored of the UK.

Yes, UK has a lot of nice places to visit, but to me, they can always be done at anytime. Abroad travel is more important (and tbf, more fun for me too)

 

[Gadget88]

Hopefully they will. I am desperate to go abroad, I'm so bored of the UK.

Yes, UK has a lot of nice places to visit, but to me, they can always be done at anytime. Abroad travel is more important (and tbf, more fun for me too)

I hope so. I plan on a few uk trips first then see how things are in Europe. I actually had a few places in mind to visit before the pandemic so might fit those in. I had to delay my trip to France and Switzerland in 2020 I will instead focus on a short trip to France maybe for the day as they may have worse mask rules and stuff making it unpleasant.

 

[Bantamzen]

Quite.

Of course until recently we did have 'freedom of movement' to a large number of European Countries but that right was taken away from me by a number of bigots still thinking the UK had an Empire!

Don't get me started...

 

[SouthEastBuses]

I hope so. I plan on a few uk trips first then see how things are in Europe. I actually had a few places in mind to visit before the pandemic so might fit those in. I had to delay my trip to France and Switzerland in 2020 I will instead focus on a short trip to France maybe for the day as they may have worse mask rules and stuff making it unpleasant.

As much as I hate masks, I'd rather wear them than stay at home.

My plans this year are hopefully to go to Spain, Belgium and Italy.
And hopefully Japan next year.

 

[Yew]

As much as I hate masks, I'd rather wear them than stay at home.

My plans this year are hopefully to go to Spain, Belgium and Italy.
And hopefully Japan next year.

Unfortunately that's presenting a bit of a false dichotomy

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Unfortunately that's presenting a bit of a false dichotomy

What do you mean? Can you be a bit clear on this please?

 

[Skimpot flyer]

As much as I hate masks, I'd rather wear them than stay at home.

My plans this year are hopefully to go to Spain, Belgium and Italy.
And hopefully Japan next year.

I’d rather go somewhere that doesn’t require me to wear a mask at all. You know, like as recently as nine long months ago.
Florida is looking good...

 

[Gadget88]

So given a negative covid result is accepted do you think the study into COVID passports would maybe worst case mean a COVID negative result for a festival but maybe no passport for pubs?

 

[yorksrob]

So given a negative covid result is accepted do you think the study into COVID passports would maybe worst case mean a COVID negative result for a festival but maybe no passport for pubs?

Who knows, but I would be against anything domestic.

 

[AlterEgo]

I’d rather go somewhere that doesn’t require me to wear a mask at all. You know, like as recently as nine long months ago.
Florida is looking good...

The US isn’t likely to open up any time soon. I’d reckon on late autumn for leisure travel.

 

[sjpowermac]

Another on that thinks travel is an entitlement. What if say Yorkshire were to say no-one from outside were allowed in or out? Or what if your local town do the same? Its petty minded crap quite frankly.

If it’s outside Yorkshire, it’s not worth visiting

And besides, don’t talk to me about sophistication, I’ve been to Leeds!

I personally hope the whole vaccine passport idea gets knocked on the head pronto and as for a domestic one, that really is a dreadful idea.

I’m starting to get worried, that’s twice in two weeks that I’ve completely agreed with you!

 

[sheff1]

The difference to international travel is that most of the population is flouting regulations on socialising, so they don't have much of a practical effect. A legal block of travelling abroad is much more effective.

Have youi got evidence that most of the population is flouting regulations ?

More importantly, what do you believe a legal block on international travel is "more effective" at achieving and, if it is more effective at achieving a worthwhile outcome, why do you think the block won't last long ?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Yeah there are, but I wouldn't consider it a proper holiday tbh.

That for me is visiting somewhere different and experiencing cultures and food.

Glasgow is lovely at this time of year... and the food is, well, definitely different!

In all seriousness, I do appreciate that a "Staycation" doesn't have the appeal that a fortnight on the Med does... though I'd rather spend a month in a multi-storey car park in Croydon than go on a typical package holiday to Ibiza!

 

[johnnychips]

Have youi got evidence that most of the population is flouting regulations ?

Do you think most people actually know what the regulations are?

 

[Chester1]

Have youi got evidence that most of the population is flouting regulations ?

More importantly, what do you believe a legal block on international travel is "more effective" at achieving and, if it is more effective at achieving a worthwhile outcome, why do you think the block won't last long ?

Have a look at traffic on the roads after the evening rush hour has finished, it is significantly higher than during the first lockdown. Were do you think these people are going? They are seeing family, friends and partners. How many people in Greater Manchester do you think do you think have actually not been indoors with a partner they are not in a bubble with? Its been illegal since the first lockdown apart from 3 weeks in July.

I don't think "exit permits" have a worthwhile outcome once stay at home ends. Its politically incendiary to try to stop people traveling abroad longer than absolutely necessary. Free travel is a right in a free society. Its a qualified right so it can be limited but only by absolute minimum amount and for the absolute minimum amount of time necessary. I suspect the main motivation for maintaining until 17th May the ban is not about public health but because of the anger it would cause if elderly Brits travel abroad while working age Brits are stuck with restrictions. I just can't see it being politically tenable. The public health risks of foreign travel can be minimised by at home quarantining. Variants will enter the UK even with a foreign travel ban.

 

[johnnychips]

As the pandemic has progressed, it seems to be clear that most transmission seems to be between people indoors with each other, mostly at home or work, or visiting other people’s houses. Foreign travel has not been shown to be a significant vector of transmission.

In any case, you have to wear a mask on a plane, and in countries like Spain people have to wear masks all the time, so that should stop it...oh hang on...

 

[AlterEgo]

Have youi got evidence that most of the population is flouting regulations ?

More importantly, what do you believe a legal block on international travel is "more effective" at achieving and, if it is more effective at achieving a worthwhile outcome, why do you think the block won't last long ?

The big sticker for the country right now - a country that is very advanced with its vaccination programme and seeing declining numbers of positive tests - is that a rogue variant from outside the country could prove resistant to the vaccine and undo all the work.

I’m cautiously supportive of closed borders until the summer, when everyone who really needs a vaccine has had one and we have our vaccine factories (which are capable of producing mutation-capable shots) are at full speed.

 

[Richard Scott]

The big sticker for the country right now - a country that is very advanced with its vaccination programme and seeing declining numbers of positive tests - is that a rogue variant from outside the country could prove resistant to the vaccine and undo all the work.

I’m cautiously supportive of closed borders until the summer, when everyone who really needs a vaccine has had one and we have our vaccine factories (which are capable of producing mutation-capable shots) are at full speed.

The chances of a vaccine resistant variant occurring is virtually nil. It's only a reality in minds of politicians and those who want restrictions to continue. In the real world it just won't happen. The vaccine developers are already ahead of game and continually tweaking to ensure they're on top of the matter. I really don't understand why people think this is a totally unique virus that will behave so differently to every other virus known to us. Too much nonsense from mouths of politicians and media probably.

 

[Yew]

In any case, you have to wear a mask on a plane, and in countries like Spain people have to wear masks all the time, so that should stop it...oh hang on...

Anyone would think that a lot of this stuff doesn't even work.

 

[Bantamzen]

The big sticker for the country right now - a country that is very advanced with its vaccination programme and seeing declining numbers of positive tests - is that a rogue variant from outside the country could prove resistant to the vaccine and undo all the work.

I’m cautiously supportive of closed borders until the summer, when everyone who really needs a vaccine has had one and we have our vaccine factories (which are capable of producing mutation-capable shots) are at full speed.

The whole "rogue variant" argument has been pretty much debunked on other threads. Its time to put that one back in it's box.

Anyone would think that a lot of this stuff doesn't even work.

Surely you are not suggesting that masks don't work?