Covid19............International travel

[SteveH]

Curbs on foreign travel should continue in order to stop Covid variants coming to the UK, a group of MPs has said.

More details are expected this week confirming whether international travel can restart from 17 May in England.

But the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus said restrictions should be kept in place beyond that date.

Airports are a "breeding ground" for the virus, with arrivals mixing together despite travelling from green, amber or red countries, the group said.

The group of more than 60 MPs and peers said the government should discourage people from travelling abroad unless it is essential.

It has also published a list of recommendations to make airports safer, including making sure arrival halls have enough space to social distance and separate travellers coming from higher-risk countries.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56970260

[SteveH]

UK travellers returning from "red list" countries are flying home via Turkey to avoid hefty hotel quarantine fees.       

Passengers are breaking their journey in Istanbul, and staying in hotels there for a fraction of the cost they would have to pay in Britain.

Travellers from countries on the red list would otherwise face bills of up to £1,750-per-person to isolate in a hotel if they flew to the UK directly.

Those using the route must still quarantine at home once back in the UK.

One hotel worker in Istanbul said he had seen British nationals flying in from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh - which are all on the UK's red list.

The BBC has also spoken to travellers returning from Pakistan to the UK, many of whom were attending weddings or funerals and say they couldn't afford the cost of quarantining once the rules changed.

As long as they isolate at home for 10 days after returning from a non-red list country, they are not breaking the UK government's Covid rules.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56984057

[SteveH]

People should avoid foreign holidays this year even though they may be allowed to, Wales' first minister says.

UK government advice is that from Monday people in England can holiday abroad in a small number of countries.

But Welsh ministers say people in Wales should only go abroad from 17 May for "essential purposes" and Mark Drakeford urged people to stay in Wales.

Mr Drakeford is due to announce later that Wales will move to Covid alert level two from Monday.
He is due to make the announcement at the next Welsh government Covid restrictions review press conference.

Mr Drakeford said officials "decided to hold back" on relaxing some lockdown restrictions on Monday because of concerns about the Indian variant.

He said 17 cases of the variant were confirmed in Wales on Thursday, and more than 700 in England.

cont   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57102249



I heard yesterday that fake passports are a cause for concern in Germany ?

Covid-19 vaccines, vaccine passports and faked negative test papers are being sold on the darknet.

Prices range between $500 (£360) and $750 for doses of AstraZeneca, Sputnik, Sinopharm or Johnson & Johnson jabs.

Fake vaccination certificates are also being sold by anonymous traders for as little as $150.

cont   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56489574

[SteveH]

Matt Hancock warns UK tourists 'not to travel to amber list countries’

International travel is allowed once again from today with 12 countries available for leisurely travel without isolating on return. These are defined as ‘green list’ countries.

However, holiday hotspots that UK tourists usually travel to for summer sun - including Spain, Greece, Italy and France - remain on the amber list.

Brits can travel to these destinations, however, they will need to quarantine for 10 days and have two negative Covid tests - one on day two and the other on day eight of quarantine.

They will also be required to complete a passenger locator form and test negative for Covid before arriving back into the UK.

‘Unless it’s absolutely necessary’
In spite of being able to visit amber list countries, Hancock said people should “certainly not” travel to these tourist hot spots, through fear of catching mutant strains of Covid.

‘Vulnerable to new variants’
Professor John Bell, a member of the government’s vaccine task force, reportedly also warned that visiting Europe was risky as many countries on the continent remain “largely unvaccinated” and “vulnerable to new variants.”

Hancock’s advice to steer clear of amber list countries comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to use a "heavy dose of caution" when hugging their families, visiting the pub and travelling abroad.

In a statement on Sunday 16 May, as the country prepared for a significant relaxation of Covid restrictions, Johnson said: “Together we have reached another milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19309940.matt-hancock-warns-uk-tourists-not-travel-amber-list-countries/

[SteveH]

Travellers should use "common sense" when considering overseas trips, the transport secretary has said, as he defended the UK's traffic light system.

Grant Shapps said people should only go to countries on the "amber" list in "exceptional circumstances", amid concern over the Indian Covid variant.

The boss of airline EasyJet said people were "confused" by the system.

Ministers say they can carry out 10,000 checks a day in England to ensure travellers self-isolate where needed.

Asked on BBC Breakfast whether it was responsible to go on holiday to an amber country, Mr Shapps said: "The guidance is not to. We've said you should only go to amber countries in exceptional circumstances."

He said England was "moving towards unlock", having passed the third stage of its roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions, and was "starting to shift responsibility back to individuals".

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57183259


An 81-year-old man who hoped it was fourth time lucky for a Spanish holiday got all the way to the check-in desk to find he was barred from flying.

People in Wales have been able to go on trips abroad to some countries since Monday after Covid rules lifted.
However Garry Tate was told he could not get on his Malaga flight from Cardiff Airport as Spain's borders are shut to UK tourists.

The airport said travellers must check Covid rules before booking flights.

Mr Tate, who lives alone in Cardiff, said he had been "excited" to travel after re-booking the trip three times.

He said he wants people to be aware they need to check the rules in the destination country even if the UK's traffic light travel permit system indicates it is legal to travel.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57176693

[SteveH]

Welsh holidaymakers urged to holiday in Wales - and only travel abroad if 'essential'
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said we should support local businesses and help prevent the virus being re-imported to Wales.

The Welsh Government is urging holidaymakers to only travel overseas if it is absolutely essential this year - and instead holiday in Wales.

Health Minister, Eluned Morgan told a coronavirus briefing this afternoon people should "enjoy everything Wales has to offer" as the fight against Covid continues.

She said we need to do everything we can "to prevent coronavirus from being re-imported into Wales from travel abroad" - and should instead support local businesses which have been hard hit by the pandemic.

"I know people are looking forward to a holiday after the year we have all had, but this is the year to holiday at home and enjoy everything Wales has to offer",

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-holidaymakers-urged-holiday-wales-20665856

[Dave]

Of course this has nothing to do with him keeping control does it?
I agree that we should be extremely cautious and not relax our vigil against covid but there are equally big threats to international travel depending on where you venture. The only saving grace is the vaccination policy ( and Wales are doing pretty well) but what's the point of a vaccination policy if it doesn't allow you to return to normal life?
Personally I'm venturing out of Wales but not the UK so it's not as if I'm desperate to head to the European beaches and guaranteed sunshine. I'll wait for that opportunity  but it's more to do with the inconvenience of testing etc than the fear of getting Covid. I am, as far as I'm concerned, double jabbed and if that doesn't protect me I might as well say that's it.Life forever in chains.

[Ian]

what's the point of a vaccination policy if it doesn't allow you to return to normal life?

Dave: it's not about protecting you as much as it's about stopping transmission. From detailed studies (I seriously doubt any disease has been as studied as this one has...) it's been found that the vaccinated can still spread the disease, which is worrying in and of itself.  But there's more: the so-called 'Kent' variant almost certainly emerged from someone who'd been vaccinated.

Viruses, despite not being alive, frequently evolve and mutate (same thing, really) and they do this in order to overcome threats to their existence. A virus invading the cells of someone who's been double-dosed will attempt to mutate to a form that can overcome the defences of that person.

All viruses mutate, sometimes as many as a thousand times per hour, but fortunately most mutations are non-viable.  However, there's still a very long way to go before normal life can resume, sadly.

[SteveH]

The Welsh Government has announced details of how residents in Wales can apply for a vaccination certificate for urgent international travel.

The travel 'passport' will allow travelers to demonstrate they have received both doses of a Covid vaccine.

People living in Wales can request a certificate if:

They have had both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (they should wait five days after their second dose before requesting it)
They urgently need to travel to a country which requires vaccine certification
They are not able to either quarantine or provide tests to meet country entry requirements.
It comes as international travel for people in Wales restarted on May 17.
In the meantime people can call 0300 303 5667 to request a vaccination certificate for urgent international travel only.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-vaccine-passport-you-live-20671688

[SteveH]

EasyJet customers were left disappointed and confused after the airline announced several last-minute cancellations last week.

And many holidaymakers who have been left grounded are unsure if they will be able to get a refund or an alternative flight.

The budget airline has been accused of replacing the flights, many of which were snapped up by customers as part of a discounted deal, with inconvenient or expensive alternatives.

Last week EasyJet issued an urgent update to all customers that it would be scrapping the bulk of its planned services.

The airline tweeted: "The majority of our flights are being cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/easyjet-cancels-flights-last-minute-20715890

[SteveH]

Palma Airport two days ago

[SteveH]

TUI confirms yet more holidays cancelled - including some that were scheduled for 2022
The travel provider said earlier this week that 'ongoing uncertainty with international cruising' had led to more cancellations

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/tui-confirms-yet-more-holidays-20790008

[SteveH]

A couple say they were barred from a flight to Malta from Manchester Airport because they had received the Indian-made AstraZeneca jab.

Steve and Glenda Hardy, 64 and 63, from Hull, said they were turned away from the flight on Friday because they had been given two doses of the Indian-made 'Covishield' jab.

Holidaymakers were checking their jab's batch number as claims emerged that the EU's Covid passport scheme will not recognise the AstraZeneca doses made in India.
The EU is rolling out a Digital Covid Certificate so travellers can prove their vaccination status so they don't have to quarantine.

The certificate reportedly would not recognise the Indian-made AstraZeneca batch noted on the NHS app.

The batch numbers for the Indian manufactured doses are: 4120Z001, 4120Z002 and 4120Z003.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/couple-say-were-barred-malta-21046864

[SteveH]

« Reply #425 on the Covid thread, Yesterday at 10:10:25 AM »

“High viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and raised concern that, unlike with other variants, vaccinated people infected with delta can transmit the virus,” Walensky reiterated in a new statement issued Friday. “This finding is concerning and was a pivotal discovery leading to CDC’s updated mask recommendation. The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit virus to others, including their unvaccinated or immunocompromised loved ones.”

full article  https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20210730/leaked-cdc-document-new-report-warn-of-deltas-contagiousness

British Airways increases capacity on key routes to UK from USA and Europe
Move comes after the UK Government announced that quarantine restrictions would be lifted for fully-vaccinated US and EU passengers

cont  https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/british-airways-increases-capacity-key-21200820?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

PS
The first passengers have been arriving in the UK after rules changed to allow those who were fully vaccinated in the US and EU to avoid quarantine.

The change, which came in at 04:00 BST, affects those arriving from countries on the UK's amber list - except France.
The UK government said the change will help to reunite family and friends whose loved ones live abroad.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58050538                                                                                                           

[SteveH]

The cost of NHS coronavirus tests for international arrivals to the UK have been reduced, the government has said.

Test and Trace tests have been cut from £88 to £68 for people arriving from green-listed countries and for those coming from amber-listed countries who are fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the price of two tests for amber arrivals who have not had both jabs has been cut from £170 to £136.

The prices of all providers of day two and eight tests are to be reviewed.

It comes after Health Secretary Sajid Javid asked the competition watchdog to investigate "excessive" pricing and "exploitative practices" among PCR Covid test firms.

He said misleading pricing will be clamped down on and providers failing to meet necessary standards will be removed from the government's approved list.

NHS Test and Trace advertises its tests alongside private companies' packages and they are available to purchase to fulfil the government's testing requirements for international travel.

This is the second time the price of NHS tests has been reduced; previously the cost of a day two and eight package was £210.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58206517