Are we there yet? Your second Travel Megathread (threadbans in OP}

Micky 32

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Good news on the way

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40290857.html

It’s a pity Killeen spoils it at the end with his forever MHQ that we should be up scaling and Holohan with his blatent lies that the indian variant is more resistant to vaccines. I genuinely fear for the future of our freedoms in this country.

Klonker

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Good news on the way

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40290857.html

Found the below a bit confusing:

'The EU deadline for adoption of the green cert is June 26, and, while individual countries will have latitude as to when they will apply it, the Government appears keen to be ready in time for the first wave. By doing so, international travel within a single EU zone will be possible by late July or early August, senior Government sources told the Irish Examiner.'

So it's expected it'll come in 26th June and the government want to be ready and sign up quickly and so it'll be possible to travel by late July or early August. How is waiting possibly 6 weeks equal to being ready to sign up in first wave?

I'm still planing on travelling mid June and the 2k fine is the only thing blocking it at the moment so when that is removed is the main thing to keep an eye on, to see if it'll be renewed after it expires on 2nd June.

Skygord

Skygord wrote: »

Just sharing my experience of travel to the UK this past week...

Essential travel to visit my dying Mum, who I haven't seen for 17 months. I got there in time to spend her last 2 days with her before she passed.

Outbound to the UK

• I got a PCR test done prior to leaving Ireland, but it wasn't needed to enter the UK.
  
• At Dublin airport security I was asked by Guards what the purpose of my travel was. Verbal answer was acceptable, no evidence needed to be shown.
  
• I tried to do the UK's online passenger locator form, but I couldn't as it doesn't accept UK passport holders.

So the UK had sh!t control and I arrived with no PCR check (even though I had one done), and no passenger locator.

In the UK

• AT UK immigration I was asked by a police officer what the purpose of my travel was, and whether I'd been anywhere other than Ireland in the past 10 days. Verbal answers without evidence were fine.
  
• I got a PCR test done for the return home to Ireland, and after just 5 mins googling found a place nearby. Needs to be within 72 hours of travel, and cost 99 pounds sterling.
  
• I filled in Ireland's online Passenger locator form in 5 mins tops.

Return travel to Ireland

• Airline (Ryanair) checked that I had a PCR test result at bag drop and again at the gate. Email copy showed on my phone was fine.
  
• At immigration I had to show email confirmations of both PCR test results and online passenger locator form receipt.

In Ireland

• I'm now in self quarantine at home, and my wife has temporarily moved out. I'm alone.
  
• I received a text from HSE telling me to home quarantine for 14 days, or take a PCR test on or after day 5 and can exit quarantine if negative.

I was very proud and relieved at the controls that Ireland have in place, except I would go further given the current situation over there...

...I went to a town that is a current hotspot for the Indian variant, the town of Blackburn. I heard many stories from family, and saw for myself, how poorly the Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities were adhering to protocols - not a mask in sight, lots of people socialising, gatherings etc, and the pharmacist who did my PCR test there said he's seeing people testing positive after 1st jab - AND with mild symptoms, only mild so the vaccines are preventing serious disease BUT with symptoms enough to be shedding and contagious - he also said the nearby town of Bolton has an R0 rate of 2! Also the vaccine uptake in the BAME communities is lower than the UK average. This was before the festival of Eid last Thursday which would have the likelihood of increased household visits. With the stories from family members over there, including from a neice who is a nurse, sister-in-law an ex nurse who is giving vaccinations in a Mass Vaccination Centre, brother a postman in a district with an almost exclusively BAME community, from an airport shuttle bus driver, and the owner of the nursing home... I predict massive surges of cases in these 'hotspots' in the next fortnight. The authorities do too and opened up surge testing and surge vaccinations (for anyone over 20 in Blackburn) whilst I was there.

Personally I would be happy for Ireland to close down travel from GB right now, even though I have my Mum's funeral to try to get to in a fortnight.

Fortunately I was vaccinated earlier this week (I'm in cohort 7), so although I have had no protection from the vaccination this last week, I should have some when I go back for the funeral. The care home I was in had NHS Rapid Antigen Testing every day to enter, and PPE, and gave me a bunch of boxes of these tests to take away, so I'm using those here whilst in self quarantine, until I get another PCR on day 5 or 6.

Update: today is Monday, so day 4 of self-isolation after arrival back into Ireland. Just received a text from GOV.IE asking me to confirm that I am still residing at the address I nominated on the passenger locator form.

I am. Home alone. Taking the lateral flow rapid antigen test daily just on my own initiative, until I go for a PCR on day 5 (tomorrow).

Chuck Norris 2021

Klonker wrote: »

Found the below a bit confusing:

'The EU deadline for adoption of the green cert is June 26, and, while individual countries will have latitude as to when they will apply it, the Government appears keen to be ready in time for the first wave. By doing so, international travel within a single EU zone will be possible by late July or early August, senior Government sources told the Irish Examiner.'

So it's expected it'll come in 26th June and the government want to be ready and sign up quickly and so it'll be possible to travel by late July or early August. How is waiting possibly 6 weeks equal to being ready to sign up in first wave?

I'm still planing on travelling mid June and the 2k fine is the only thing blocking it at the moment so when that is removed is the main thing to keep an eye on, to see if it'll be renewed after it expires on 2nd June.

I would like to think that they are trying to cause some confusion to prevent a rush of bookings. I'm starting to wonder if they have to offer the green cert for June 26th, so that Irish people can avail of it, but they won't fully relax some entry conditions until 6 weeks later. So for example that may chose to still impose tests on the vaccinated etc?

Ray Donovan

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

I would like to think that they are trying to cause some confusion to prevent a rush of bookings. I'm starting to wonder if they have to offer the green cert for June 26th, so that Irish people can avail of it, but they won't fully relax some entry conditions until 6 weeks later. So for example that may chose to still impose tests on the vaccinated etc?

Interesting theory and would be great if it was the case for us here as we are all clued in. The sheople would wait until it's full implementation.

However, I doubt in reality this is the case so early August it is for the cert I would say.

Valhallapt

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Interesting theory and would be great if it was the case for us here as we are all clued in. The sheople would wait until it's full implementation.

However, I doubt in reality this is the case so early August it is for the cert I would say.

By august the EU will have reached herd immunity. What’s the point in introducing it so late?

Skygord

Skygord wrote: »

Update: today is Monday, so day 4 of self-isolation after arrival back into Ireland. Just received a text from GOV.IE asking me to confirm that I am still residing at the address I nominated on the passenger locator form.

I am. Home alone. Taking the lateral flow rapid antigen test daily just on my own initiative, until I go for a PCR on day 5 (tomorrow).

Actually, I think I was wrong about taking a PCR test tomorrow. I landed in Ireland at 9am on Friday, and had been counting Friday as day 1 of self-isolation as it was. But 5 days after arrival won't be till 9am Wednesday - so I think I'll wait till Wednesday for the test (Thursday for the results, and therefore allowed to exit from self-isolation Thursday). That sound right?

pc7

Does anyone know what companies are offering travel insurance? I’ve a yearly policy that comes with our health insurance, just wondering if I ring them can I pay supplement? Or is there a company doing specific cover. Will hopefully book flights June 2nd for august when I know the plan with fine.

JojoLoca

I'm wondering what is meant by the implementation of Digital Green Cert - is it only in relation to when Irish people will be able to start using it, or does it also mean that the cert will not be accepted from other EU countries (who will implement it sooner) until Ireland has it up and running?

a_squirrelman

Skygord wrote: »

Actually, I think I was wrong about taking a PCR test tomorrow. I landed in Ireland at 9am on Friday, and had been counting Friday as day 1 of self-isolation as it was. But 5 days after arrival won't be till 9am Wednesday - so I think I'll wait till Wednesday for the test (Thursday for the results, and therefore allowed to exit from self-isolation Thursday). That sound right?

Yeah I think you'll get an sms on Wednesday morning to get yourself tested.
I arrived on a Sunday evening and got the sms on Friday morning.

Wallander

Klonker wrote: »

Found the below a bit confusing:

'The EU deadline for adoption of the green cert is June 26, and, while individual countries will have latitude as to when they will apply it, the Government appears keen to be ready in time for the first wave. By doing so, international travel within a single EU zone will be possible by late July or early August, senior Government sources told the Irish Examiner.'

So it's expected it'll come in 26th June and the government want to be ready and sign up quickly and so it'll be possible to travel by late July or early August. How is waiting possibly 6 weeks equal to being ready to sign up in first wave?

It sounds like a poor attempt from the government to feign being pro-active. A bit like the suggested easing of restrictions from the UK is being touted as a 'travel bubble' as if it's some sophisticated construction, whereas we'll probably just remove quarantine requirements Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands have already done away with for visitors from the UK (France planning this too I believe).

Chuck Norris 2021

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Interesting theory and would be great if it was the case for us here as we are all clued in. The sheople would wait until it's full implementation.

However, I doubt in reality this is the case so early August it is for the cert I would say.

I must do some more in depth reading later to see if I can establish what is actually expected of states by that date.

Has anyone received any feedback on the complaints submitted last week?

Corholio

Leo today saying 'August at the earliest' while saying it'll be 'adopted' in Ireland by mid-June. Will take the full 6 weeks to implement it so, as very much expected and foreshadowed way out.

Skippette

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

I would like to think that they are trying to cause some confusion to prevent a rush of bookings. I'm starting to wonder if they have to offer the green cert for June 26th, so that Irish people can avail of it, but they won't fully relax some entry conditions until 6 weeks later. So for example that may chose to still impose tests on the vaccinated etc?

I wonder where the paper is getting the date the 26th from? Anything I read about it, is that they hope to have it implemented by June 21st.

Just had a quick google there and Reuters are reporting the 21st:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eus-proposed-covid-19-travel-certificate-2021-05-11/

* EU lawmakers are designing the certificate along with the European Commission and EU government negotiators. Portugal, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, hopes for political agreement on the deal by the end of May to enable the certificate to be operational by June 21.

Chuck Norris 2021

evertheless, Varadkar was certain that the Republic’s system would function by the end of July, or possibly the beginning of August.


However, he stressed that member states would have a lot of autonomy over how their “border authorities” use the certificates, indicating that the Government could still be conservative about who it allows into the State. That won’t matter much to those already here though: most of them want the certificates so they can get out.

To be honest, I doubt it'll have much impact here even when introduced. They'll clearly still set their own rules on quarantine etc. I'm assuming that all EU countries will continue to accept test results from us in the meanwhile while the government drag their heels. I think the best that we can hope for in the short term, travelling to Europe, is that the confirm MHQ will be scaled back for EU countries and that the fine disappears on June 2nd. If they extend it again it'll be a disaster. I wonder if they try to extend it to the return of indoor dining, or the June 21st/26th date for the green cert?

Swaine

Need some help here. I want to go to the England fora few days,badly need to get away. London would be my best option.

Will I have any issues getting train to Belfast airport, fly to London then return the same way? It's a nightmare trying to find up to date info online.

Thanks.

Van.Bosch

Swaine wrote: »

Need some help here. I want to go to the England fora few days,badly need to get away. London would be my best option.

Will I have any issues getting train to Belfast airport, fly to London then return the same way? It's a nightmare trying to find up to date info online.

Thanks.

You’ll be grand - no issues.

Corholio

Swaine wrote: »

Need some help here. I want to go to the England fora few days,badly need to get away. London would be my best option.

Will I have any issues getting train to Belfast airport, fly to London then return the same way? It's a nightmare trying to find up to date info online.

Thanks.

It should be fine but just note the 'essential' part of flying within CTA from NI isn't dropped until the 24th. I don't know how it's like until then, if you can be stopped etc.

braychelsea

Swaine wrote: »

Need some help here. I want to go to the England fora few days,badly need to get away. London would be my best option.

Will I have any issues getting train to Belfast airport, fly to London then return the same way? It's a nightmare trying to find up to date info online.

Thanks.

Am flying out on the 22nd through Belfast, can update you on how it goes

Swaine

braychelsea wrote: »

Am flying out on the 22nd through Belfast, can update you on how it goes

I want to go tomorrow.

What's the story with PCR test to England? Do I need one?

braychelsea

Swaine wrote: »

I want to go tomorrow.

What's the story with PCR test to England? Do I need one?

Nope, not needed for travelling to England from within CTA

Ray Donovan

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

evertheless, Varadkar was certain that the Republic’s system would function by the end of July, or possibly the beginning of August.


However, he stressed that member states would have a lot of autonomy over how their “border authorities” use the certificates, indicating that the Government could still be conservative about who it allows into the State. That won’t matter much to those already here though: most of them want the certificates so they can get out.

To be honest, I doubt it'll have much impact here even when introduced. They'll clearly still set their own rules on quarantine etc. I'm assuming that all EU countries will continue to accept test results from us in the meanwhile while the government drag their heels. I think the best that we can hope for in the short term, travelling to Europe, is that the confirm MHQ will be scaled back for EU countries and that the fine disappears on June 2nd. If they extend it again it'll be a disaster. I wonder if they try to extend it to the return of indoor dining, or the June 21st/26th date for the green cert?

I have this fear that the fine will stay until we have the cert up and running.

How we could justify having that fine in place and when half of Europe is flying around the EU is another matter. But I’m sure we’ll try.

Hopefully my fears will be unfounded.

Skippette

Leo now saying August will be the earliest for travel:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40291286.html

Ray Donovan

Skippette wrote: »

Leo now saying August will be the earliest for travel:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40291286.html

Reached the end of my tether with this crowd now to be honest.

Hellrazer

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Reached the end of my tether with this crowd now to be honest.

Ive just stopped listening to them all now - Leo says one thing, Donnelly comes along and says something else, Micheal then throws his opinion in - They havent got a clue between them - Id wager we`ll be open for international travel the first week in July - theres too much pressure being put on these idiots for them to keep digging their heels in. Parts of Europe starting to open today for tourists - we need to get some of that tourism business. Dining open from early June,Hotels opening the same time - its all lining up for a much earlier opening than august.

eltonyio

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

Best to ignore Leo at the moment I think. He's been all over the place lately.

My predictions for 1st July:

• CTA will be open (both through both front and back door)
• €2,000 fine will have been dropped or become unenforceable if CTA is open
• MHQ will drop for EU countries
• Rollout of digital certs in Ireland will be delayed until they have no relevance any more
• Med countries will drop most restrictions anyway
• Ryanair and others will launch massive sales to fill seats
• Advisories and finger wagging will remain
• Harry Corry and Material World sales will soar briefly
• Status quo will return (travel, not the band)

Chuck Norris 2021

Hellrazer wrote: »

Ive just stopped listening to them all now - Leo says one thing, Donnelly comes along and says something else, Micheal then throws his opinion in - They havent got a clue between them - Id wager we`ll be open for international travel the first week in July - theres too much pressure being put on these idiots for them to keep digging their heels in. Parts of Europe starting to open today for tourists - we need to get some of that tourism business. Dining open from early June,Hotels opening the same time - its all lining up for a much earlier opening than august.

I think they are going to limit the number of Irish booking holidays through confusion, and guilt, aided by the finger waggers of Ireland. All the legal constraints will drop away in the background sooner rather than later to leave tourist roll in with cash.

eltonyio

eltonyio wrote: »

My predictions for 1st July:

• Status quo will return (travel, not the band)

Dammit, you got my hopes up for a concert

Supercell

The European Commission website for the Digital Green Certificate doesnt make any mention of families, specifically children.

Even if we want to, we cannot vaccinate our children, does this mean if a family wants to travel , assuming the parents are vaccinated, that the children will have to take PCR tests at parents expense?, or will the cert only apply to adults/people who are currently capable of being vaccinated?

eltonyio

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

Dammit, you got my hopes up for a concert

I would be happy enough for them to go into MHQ!