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Trips abroad

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Nottsy, Aug 28, 2021.

  1. Nottsy

    Nottsy Squad Player

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    Anyone done it recently, this summer?

    Looking for recommendations on who to use for testing. Also, I like to think I have at least half a brain, but I can’t quite get my head round what I should be doing, to be totally honest.
     
  2. Nottsy

    Nottsy Squad Player

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    I’ve looked at Boots, they seem expensive.
     
  3. Chippy

    Chippy Impact Sub
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    What size?
     
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  4. Frank Castle

    Frank Castle Captain
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    I'd avoid if you can. Had a friend test positive before his flight home. Had to then spend a week of hell in a shitty hotel where he was treat worse than an inmate at Armley.
     
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  5. Steve1970

    Steve1970 Squad Player
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    Have a look on the randox site they seem to have something going with the travel companies.
     
  6. king karl

    king karl Administrator
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    Ive just got back from France , If going for a week its not worth the hassle

    I used Randox for testing , theres a Randox drop box in Halifax to take the worry from posting

    You may get 10% discount booking thru your airline website

    • You need to be double vaxxed and have the QR code from the NHS app on your phone or printed off proving
    • order the fit to fly and day 2 test before you go
    • note take photos of your pcr test regeistration numbers you will need these later
    • you need to register on the PCR providers website prior to taking the test
    • you need to register on an online locator form for the country your travelling to 48hrs prior to travel
    • you need to take the flt to fly test 3 days before you travel and take the box to a drop box or post it... most drop boxes are rammed - we left ours with the chemist which was open fotunately
    • You will get results next day via email - print off and bring with
    • allow time for check in - will be big delays as everything is checked
    • everything is checked again when you land - expect delays
    • 3 days before returning you will need a pcr check in the country you are leaving - costs around £45 PP
    • 48 hrs before returning you will need to fill in UK online locator form
    • When home take the day 2 test and return to them
    cost is around £200 PP , Imagine doing that for x4 people as we did and its a lot of expense and hassle worrying about the results and it you will get them in time to fly

    People fannying trying to show results on their phones is a major drag , print off and show them


    We got pinged as soon as we got home . explained we hust got of a flight and not been anywhere , also just had a neg test

    They said someone on plane had covid - could only have been crew as everyone else was tested - fortunately dont have to isolate now as doubled jabbed
     
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  7. Nottsy

    Nottsy Squad Player

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    Thanks for this.
     
  8. Nottsy

    Nottsy Squad Player

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    Having a quick scan of the Randox website, they seem reasonably priced. It seems there’s a Dropbox at Woolley edge services, that would be ideal, seeing as I drive past there everyday.
     
  9. Storck

    Storck Regular Starter

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    As @Frank Castle@Frank Castle said is it worth it currently? If you test positive before travelling hone you are screwed and stuck over there footing the bill, unless your insurance will cover it.

    ive read numerous times that no one is keeping track of Day 2 tests, you just need the reference number, so go for cheapest.

    As for comparing tests make sure you are competing like for like eg PCR to PCR, check which test you need and when before you travel. That will depend on where you are going and be ready for late changes. Someone got a PCR test today, within 72 hours, only for airline to contact him and say rules have changed and now has to be within 48hrs so he now has to pay for another test tomorrow, if he can get one.
     
  10. Hoochy-Min

    Hoochy-Min Squad Player

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    Doesn't sound worth it to me.
     
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  11. Nottsy

    Nottsy Squad Player

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    This holiday was paid for in December 2019, originally for last September, but we put it back a year when it was cancelled. We could’ve got our money back like we did with another holiday we had booked, but we thought we was being clever by getting an extra 2 nights and a board upgrade for the same price. I wouldn’t be all that bothered if it didn’t go ahead, if I’m honest. But, it is what it is.
     
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  12. Storck

    Storck Regular Starter

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    Fair enough if choice is now go or lose the cash definitely go but make sure your insurance is going to cover just incase
     
  13. TallinnBantam

    TallinnBantam Regular Starter
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    Wow what a major hassle. I was in Cyprus for two weeks, but obviously flew from Tallinn. All we needed to do, was show our double vaccination certificate to RyanAir, and fill in a "flightpass" questionnaire to get a certificate to enter Cyprus. This consisted of asking what hotel we're staying in, and proof of vaccinations. Once in Cyprus, everything was very simple - just show a copy of this pass on entering a restaurant/bar. No masks were worn.

    The hotel was at 30% occupancy. Sad, but they made us very welcome and everyone in the bars,shops and restaurants were extremely grateful for our custom. Loads of bars and restaurants closed down or "to rent". Because of the lack of tourists, then it was a very relaxing holiday - no fighting for sunbeds, no louts in the "Black Rose/Red Lion" bars. I'm glad we went away, both for the physical relaxation, and also the mental rest. We've not travelled for almost 2 years (it was weird being back in an airport, and forgetting the "flow" of things like taking off belts while waiting for the scanner, and putting electricals in a separate tray etc etc), but I'm very glad we went. We originally only went for a week, and enjoyed it so much, we extended by another week.

    But, reading the post by @king karl@king karl , then if I had to do all that, I'd think twice for sure. It explains why there were very few English people over in Cyprus. In fact, one shopkeeper even stopped me and asked me what I'm doing in Paphos, because there's been no English tourists for several months.

    Hope you manage to come to the right decision. I think the worry of having to quarantine once you get back, or worse - over there - would be a bit much for some. Not to mention the expense.
     
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  14. Parader

    Parader Impact Sub

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    Travel is not for everyone at the moment - I just think it depends what's important to you. Not being able to travel was the one thing that really got to me during the lockdowns so tomorrow I'm flying out on my third trip of the summer.

    The likelihood is that you'll need to fill out a form before you fly somewhere, have vaccination evidence and fill out a form before you return to the UK - but it's not exactly that much hassle. The UK testing requirements are ridiculous and an expensive hassle, and that does make travel off-putting, especially for families.

    Going out now there are plenty of places that won't need a test, especially if you are double vaccinated, it is the return that causes the hassle as you'll need a pre-return test then at least a day 2 arrivals test.

    If you are going anywhere even vaguely touristy you won't have any issues finding somewhere for your pre departure test, I've been using assuredscreening for my return tests and have been happy enough with them, though I only really chose them as I work five minutes from their location just outside Leeds City Centre.

    For this trip I am trying out the co-op pharmacy's return to UK test (https://www.cooppharmacy.coop/products/pharmacy/covid-19-test-kits-for-travel/c19-testing-covid-19-return-to-the-uk-pre-departure-test-kit/?variationCode=C19-Testing-COVID-19-Return-to-the-UK-Pre-Departure-test-kit_2) which you self-administer then send a photo of the result to them to verify and issue the certificate, I'm giving testing for all (https://www.testingforall.org/product/day-2/) a go for my return day 2 test.
     
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  15. Nottsy

    Nottsy Squad Player

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    Well, flying out to Portugal next Thursday morning. I’ll be doing my PCR pre-departure on Monday, and I already have my lateral flow return to UK test in hand (from the Coop link above). By the looks of it, I don’t think Portugal require an arrival test, and I might get away with the day 2 UK arrival test if the government scrap that before my flight back on the 2nd October. So maybe just the 2 tests, I’m happy with that.
     
  16. Storck

    Storck Regular Starter

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    Just wish FCDO would give same recommendations as the traffic lights, an example is Mexico which is amber currently but FCDO advise against anything but essential travel due to COVID risk which means your insurance will be invalid
     
  17. Storck

    Storck Regular Starter

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    edit - Mexico is now red but even when it was amber FCDO recommended against travel
     
  18. trevor

    trevor Squad Player
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    Cannot understand with all the restrictions on foriegn travel why most of the MPs on TV have deep tans?
     

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