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

SusanC10 · 13-03-2021 02:33PM

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Let's be totally honest and blunt here about Summer 2021

NPHET and the government don't want foreign holidays this summer. There will be no easing of the non-essential travel advisory. The €2,000 fine will be extended over the Summer months. Ireland will not enter into travel corridors with other countries.

So what are the options:
1) Vaccination/Negative Test Passports - Our government wont sign up to this for the Summer (if they have come on stream by the Summer)

2. Get yourself an essential reason to travel - Dental / Medical Appointment. I have done this but my email says an appointment for "dental cleaning" on it which has me concerned. (That is however what I booked, and a dental appointment is deemed essential by legislation)

3. Fly from Belfast - By July intra - county travel should be permitted (not a guarantee the way things are going with NPHET) so a trip to Belfast is totally allowed. Northern Ireland will have foreign travel permitted by that stage so that also would be restriction free. However I would presume a lot of people are using the flights they postponed from last year so this might not be feasible. Financially probably being the most obvious reason.

That's how I see Summer 2021 shaping up. Anyone who thinks the ROI will have foreign travel permitted in some form for this period is only fooling themselves in my opinion.

Not disagreeing with any of this but when do you see fine-free non-essential travel being allowed from the Rep. ?

13-03-2021 02:37PM

Yapamillias wrote: »

Got to Turkey today via Dublin airport. Pretty smooth transit.

There were Garda check points outside the airport so I assume checking the cars dropping people off. They don't check the buses.

Once inside it was busier than I expected, much busier than Amsterdam when I was there. A lot of noses exposed by airport staff (usually males).. they should run a seminar on proper mask usage. The queue before security check is the Garda check point. 3-4 Garda asking for purpose of visit, if you live in Ireland etc. The Garda I spoke to was very very nice. I told him why I was going, how long I would be gone for. He gave me some good advice about the PCR test on the way back to make sure it is still valid since I will have a longer layover. Wished me safe travels and that was that. You could tell that they were grilling others trying to go through. The body language of a few people as they were talking was very telling. They obviously can't turn people back so I am unsure if anyone was fined before their travels.

What really made me confused is that in the airport at Mcdonalds the lady asked me was I dining in or was it takeway. I was taken aback and responded with 'take out' out of habit. You can eat the mcdonalds there or outside in the communal airport area. Theoretically you could take the bus to the airport, go to departures, walk up to McDonalds and eat like the pre Covid days and take the bus back to wherever. I just found it strange that the airport had this exemption.

While in Turkey I have been told that the curfew that they have is only for Turkish people. Tourists are not under this rule. Reminds me of Ireland whereby Irish people are told not to travel and yet everyone else can travel to Ireland freely. There is no quarantine over here. Masks are worn outdoors by 80%-90% of people I have seen so far and obviously worn indoors. Gyms open, eating inside, hairdresser, shops etc. They are living with Covid, even with increasing cases.

Edit* 4pm flight for clarity (Got there at 1pm)

That’s an interesting one about eating in at mcdonallds, something similar in U.K. where some motorways stops open for eat in meals. Must be an exemption for people traveling or something.

Del Griffith · 13-03-2021 03:02PM

Blut2 wrote: »

Yes. They're applying the same 5km regulations to travel abroad, not any unique ones specifically for foreign travel. So all of the same exceptions are allowed.

That's good to know - I've 70 odd invites here for my foreign wedding this summer.

a clanger · 13-03-2021 03:08PM

dmcsweeney wrote: »

My wife's is out. Applied weeks ago and nothing has arrived yet. I've been told they only print them once a week. Applied for a passport card as well, I wonder if that is the hold up. I assume that once they have printed the emergency applications, they spend the rest of the day knocking out ones from the backlog.

As discussed earlier in thread if it's online renewal (adult) with no additional paperwork required to be submitted then they seem to process the application
Kids (req paperwork) and adults who submitted paperwork will not be processed until LVL 4 (May!!..maybe)
Poster earlier received passport but was still waiting on passport card which would imply they are processed separately

CruelSummer · 13-03-2021 03:13PM

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Let's be totally honest and blunt here about Summer 2021

NPHET and the government don't want foreign holidays this summer. There will be no easing of the non-essential travel advisory. The €2,000 fine will be extended over the Summer months. Ireland will not enter into travel corridors with other countries.

So what are the options:
1) Vaccination/Negative Test Passports - Our government wont sign up to this for the Summer (if they have come on stream by the Summer)

2. Get yourself an essential reason to travel - Dental / Medical Appointment. I have done this but my email says an appointment for "dental cleaning" on it which has me concerned. (That is however what I booked, and a dental appointment is deemed essential by legislation)

3. Fly from Belfast - By July intra - county travel should be permitted (not a guarantee the way things are going with NPHET) so a trip to Belfast is totally allowed. Northern Ireland will have foreign travel permitted by that stage so that also would be restriction free. However I would presume a lot of people are using the flights they postponed from last year so this might not be feasible. Financially probably being the most obvious reason.

That's how I see Summer 2021 shaping up. Anyone who thinks the ROI will have foreign travel permitted in some form for this period is only fooling themselves in my opinion.

The fact that tax paying citizens if this country have to try and cheat the system to travel to safe destinations in the summer is absolutely outrageous. It is a slap in the face to the Irish people, treating us like garbage in comparison to U.K., Northern Irish or EU citizens. And on top of this, actually attempting to destroy the staycation here also saying ‘only outdoors’ and other nonsense.
Not to mention all the EU citizens working here in vital roles that are currently planning their exit from this dump, who could blame them.

RobitTV · 13-03-2021 03:13PM

I just happen to have a wedding coming up in the Canary Islands this April...

CruelSummer · 13-03-2021 03:14PM

a clanger wrote: »

As discussed earlier in thread if it's online renewal (adult) with no additional paperwork required to be submitted then they seem to process the application
Kids (req paperwork) and adults who submitted paperwork will not be processed until LVL 4 (May!!..maybe)
Poster earlier received passport but was still waiting on passport card which would imply they are processed separately

It’s a disgrace and totally illegal.

Del Griffith · 13-03-2021 03:21PM

gozunda wrote: »

The level of misinformation in this thread is quite astounding.

The UK gov will be meeting on the 12th of April to consider whether travel will recommence subject to the situation their meeting specific criteria viz.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary

So no guarantees. For anyone thinking they will use Northern Ireland to dodge restrictions here - it may not be quite so straightforward...

This post is gas.

Think what you want about Boris, there is absolutely no denying that the UK vaccine roll-out has been a roaring success.

Critically they have also announced a transparent timeline that gives people hope, something to look forward to and live for. They have announced their working on opening of travel corridors, amongst other things. Great outlook to be fair.

To see misery merchants over in Ireland trying to pour cold water on it is just depressing really. No wonder our sham of a leadership are so intent of compounding the negative, it seems a fair bit of the public long for it. Bad news for you lads - like it or lump it Covid-19 restrictions are going to end at some stage, even if the Irish need to be dragged out of it.

Anyway there is nothing right now to suggest that the UK will miss it's targets but even if it did, the way they are going it won't be for long and in regard to the vaccine roll out and exit strategy, they are doing very well.

Belfast Airport is set for a windfall season this year unless the Irish Government change their approach.

Yapamillias · 13-03-2021 03:27PM

RobitTV wrote: »

Thanks for this excellent information. I think some people honestly aren't capable of getting their story straight when they are being questioned by the Gardai. If you have good manners, answer every question directly and just speak normally then you should be fine. It amazes me some people are getting fined. What on earth are they doing to get a fine? - they must be acting with bad manners and acting rather aggressive towards the Gardai.

It's truly bizarre that some people aren't prepared for the questioning beforehand. They must be worried when they get to the checkpoint in the terminal.

I overheard one conversation.

Garda: Where are you going?
Guy: Spain
Garda: Why are you going?
Guy: To build a house
Garda: Do you have documents?
Guy: No

They kept this guy longer so I did not see how it ended but the Guard was not buying it.

Plumbthedepths · 13-03-2021 03:29PM

dmcsweeney wrote: »

My wife's is out. Applied weeks ago and nothing has arrived yet. I've been told they only print them once a week. Applied for a passport card as well, I wonder if that is the hold up. I assume that once they have printed the emergency applications, they spend the rest of the day knocking out ones from the backlog.

I applied for the passport book and the card. The passport arrived yesterday . I'm expecting the card next week. They do say on the site that the passport and card are posted separately. Mine was a renewal.

RobitTV · 13-03-2021 03:35PM

Yapamillias wrote: »

I overheard one conversation.

Garda: Where are you going?
Guy: Spain
Garda: Why are you going?
Guy: To build a house
Garda: Do you have documents?
Guy: No

They kept this guy longer so I did not see how it ended but the Guard was not buying it.

Wow

Imagine turning up at the airport with these silly excuses at the ready. Any normal person would know they wouldn't stand a chance.

You need a decent reason and be able to answer the questions.

a clanger · 13-03-2021 03:35PM

Belfast Airport is set for a windfall season this year unless the Irish Government change their approach.

That's what I would have thought but comparing flight costs from Dublin or BFS they are almost identical. A Malaga return can be had for €70 in June. Aer lingus flights to Malaga from \Dublin in July have actually dropped in price recently by about 10%. Obviously the general public have resigned themselves to staycations if NPHET allow it. Of course the prospect of €800-1000 in PCR tests might be off putting as well before even considering the "fine"

The more certain it looks like we will have restrictions well into July the more the PCR tests cost seem irrelevant .....

Ray Donovan · 13-03-2021 03:43PM

SusanC10 wrote: »

Not disagreeing with any of this but when do you see fine-free non-essential travel being allowed from the Rep. ?

Not until some stage of 2022. Our vaccine rollout is too slow and looks like it is going to get slower rather than ramp up in the short term.

Coupled with this, every single decision made by NPHET (sorry I mean the government!!) has been ultra cautious so this won’t change either. Bullet to my head I would say Summer 2022. They will want to get the far side of Winter/Spring 2021/2022 before easing it from all I have read over the last few months. Depressing is not the word.

Del Griffith · 13-03-2021 03:53PM

a clanger wrote: »

That's what I would have thought but comparing flight costs from Dublin or BFS they are almost identical. A Malaga return can be had for €70 in June. Aer lingus flights to Malaga from \Dublin in July have actually dropped in price recently by about 10%. Obviously the general public have resigned themselves to staycations if NPHET allow it. Of course the prospect of €800-1000 in PCR tests might be off putting as well before even considering the "fine"

The more certain it looks like we will have restrictions well into July the more the PCR tests cost seem irrelevant .....

Yes, but will an RTE camera crew be waiting for you in arrivals in Belfast, ready to satisfy the lockdown lovers with their fingers worn out from wagging and lips all set to tutt in eager anticipation of the next shocking expose - "Person goes on holiday to visit bustling outside world, as Tony expresses concern at reports coming in of increased sales of inflatable crocodiles, tricolour shorts and novelty sombreros in the queue for Majorca dentist office" ?

Del Griffith · 13-03-2021 03:57PM

SusanC10 wrote: »

Not disagreeing with any of this but when do you see fine-free non-essential travel being allowed from the Rep. ?

Best case scenario maybe October. But nothing whatsoever from Ireland has worked that way before so more likely later than that, into next year.

Hope I'm wrong.

gozunda · 13-03-2021 03:57PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

This post is gas.Think what you want about Boris, there is absolutely no denying that the UK vaccine roll-out has been a roaring success.Critically they have also announced a transparent timeline that gives people hope, something to look forward to and live for. They have announced their working on opening of travel corridors, amongst other things. Great outlook to be fair. To see misery merchants over in Ireland trying to pour cold water on it is just depressing really. No wonder our sham of a leadership are so intent of compounding the negative, it seems a fair bit of the public long for it. Bad news for you lads - like it or lump it Covid-19 restrictions are going to end at some stage, even if the Irish need to be dragged out of it. Anyway there is nothing right now to suggest that the UK will miss it's targets but even if it did, the way they are going it won't be for long and in regard to the vaccine roll out and exit strategy, they are doing very well.
Belfast Airport is set for a windfall season this year unless the Irish Government change their approach.

I take it that you must be living in some alternative universe far off in deep space then if you find that 'gas'. Because what's there is word for word quoted from the UK.Gov Roadmap.

You may also notice if you chose to read the comment - that nothing was said about ' Boris'.

And yup the absolute majority of people here know that Covid-19 restrictions are going to end and have no need to fantasise or behave like teenagers about sneaking up to Belfast to fly off for some cheap thrils in in Costa del Pulgas or wherever.

13-03-2021 04:00PM

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Not until some stage of 2022. Our vaccine rollout is too slow and looks like it is going to get slower rather than ramp up in the short term.

Coupled with this, every single decision made by NPHET (sorry I mean the government!!) has been ultra cautious so this won’t change either. Bullet to my head I would say Summer 2022. They will want to get the far side of Winter/Spring 2021/2022 before easing it from all I have read over the last few months. Depressing is not the word.

I agree. I think that fines for non essential international travel will stay in place until spring 2022.

But I suspect that the Gardai will show less and less interest, and people will start traveling anyway, even if it needs routing through London. Every now and then the Gardai will have to make some sort of a show, and they'll have a day when they dish out a few fines, just to keep RTE happy. Just have to hope that you're not on your way to the airport on one of those days

RobitTV · 13-03-2021 04:07PM

Irish Times: Dr Gabriel Scally says ‘amazing amount of travel’ still happening as hospital cases fall

Public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally has said there is still “plenty of virus circulating” and that “an amazing amount of travel” is happening as latest figures show hospital cases are continuing to fall.

Dr Scally said Covid-19 is an “extraordinarily dangerous virus and we can’t afford not to take precautions and get it under control”

Irish Times

Corholio · 13-03-2021 04:14PM

I think it's important to remember that when people mock or moan other people trying to find alternative routes out of here if the Summer looks difficult, is that not everyone is leaving for a family package holiday reason. There's a lot that would have relationships, family, potential work (that mightn't fall under 'essential') and indeed a genuine wanting to restore mental health somewhere else. I think it's partially understandable for it to be paused right now, but coming up to late May and June, if there's no pathway at all (PCR tests needed etc) and these massive fines remain, then it will be outrageous and could not possibly blame anyone for finding ways through Belfast etc.

faceman · 13-03-2021 04:32PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

Yes, but will an RTE camera crew be waiting for you in arrivals in Belfast, ready to satisfy the lockdown lovers with their fingers worn out from wagging and lips all set to tutt in eager anticipation of the next shocking expose - "Person goes on holiday to visit bustling outside world, as Tony expresses concern at reports coming in of increased sales of inflatable crocodiles, tricolour shorts and novelty sombreros in the queue for Majorca dentist office" ?

By the summer the public won’t care who’s going on holiday from Belfast.

faceman · 13-03-2021 04:37PM

RobitTV wrote: »

Irish Times: Dr Gabriel Scally says ‘amazing amount of travel’ still happening as hospital cases fall

Public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally has said there is still “plenty of virus circulating” and that “an amazing amount of travel” is happening as latest figures show hospital cases are continuing to fall.

Dr Scally said Covid-19 is an “extraordinarily dangerous virus and we can’t afford not to take precautions and get it under control”

Irish Times

Scally may be an expert on public health, but he’s not an expert on travel and economy, so “an amazing amount of travel” is his opinion on a sector he knows little about.

NPHET has lost the people. Rates are going up during a sustained level 5 lockdown. People aren’t afraid. The virus only kills a tiny percentage of people who catch it. The virus is less about concern for the public and more about managing a failure of a health system.

13-03-2021 04:58PM

Corholio wrote: »

I think it's important to remember that when people mock or moan other people trying to find alternative routes out of here if the Summer looks difficult, is that not everyone is leaving for a family package holiday reason. There's a lot that would have relationships, family, potential work (that mightn't fall under 'essential') and indeed a genuine wanting to restore mental health somewhere else. I think it's partially understandable for it to be paused right now, but coming up to late May and June, if there's no pathway at all (PCR tests needed etc) and these massive fines remain, then it will be outrageous and could not possibly blame anyone for finding ways through Belfast etc.

Why would those people wait till summer then?
If they need to travel for other reasons, why wait till summer holidays?
Unless they are teachers

RobitTV · 13-03-2021 05:00PM

https://twitter.com/LisaCusack/status/1370691722041233408

angel eyes 2012 · 13-03-2021 05:01PM

Is there any guidance yet on vaccinated people being permitted to travel to Europe.

acequion · 13-03-2021 05:03PM

RobitTV wrote: »

Wow Imagine turning up at the airport with these silly excuses at the ready. Any normal person would know they wouldn't stand a chance.

You need a decent reason and be able to answer the questions.

But RobitTV, think about it for a minute! Is it not outlandish that a normal, law abiding, tax paying citizen would be stopped by Gardai while basically going about his business in the "freedom of movement" EU?? And with his negative PCR to hand! I can well understand how some people are getting indignant. Or unprepared. Tbh I'd find it hard to keep myself in check so outraged am I over this violation of fundamental rights! But my desire to escape this dump would keep me quiet and play along.

It's actually humiliating that Irish people are pushed so far that they have to do crazy things like booking unnecessary medical /dental appointments or go all the way up to Belfast [for those of us in the bottom of Ireland] just to exercise their rights. Be it for a holiday, to see a loved one, check on a foreign property, get a needed break away, the contempt perpetuated by the media and posters on social media with remarks like "going on a jolly", "jetting off to Lanzo" is utterly contemptible imo and it's dreadful to see so many people of that ilk in Ireland. That attitude is non existent everywhere else.

This is indeed a sad, miserable little backwater of a country. Roll on retirement that I can get out of here for good!

Del Griffith · 13-03-2021 05:05PM

https://www.finegael.ie/ireland-must-prepare-to-implement-eu-digital-green-pass-doherty/

Looks like something afoot

Ray Donovan · 13-03-2021 05:10PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

https://www.finegael.ie/ireland-must-prepare-to-implement-eu-digital-green-pass-doherty/

Looks like something afoot

NPHET will find a way not be involved!! Something to do with we dont have the infrastructure to utilise the system maye. Or other such rubbish.

acequion · 13-03-2021 05:11PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

https://www.finegael.ie/ireland-must-prepare-to-implement-eu-digital-green-pass-doherty/

Looks like something afoot

Fair play to her. Jesus, fingers crossed that those in power recover their senses before it's too late.

angel eyes 2012 · 13-03-2021 05:11PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

https://www.finegael.ie/ireland-must-prepare-to-implement-eu-digital-green-pass-doherty/

Looks like something afoot

Hopefully, they will stick to their proposals; "Depending on roll-outs, this could hopefully be by early to mid-summer for some".

I am due to get vaccinated tomorrow, I am hoping I can escape in May!

RobitTV · 13-03-2021 05:12PM

NPHET are going to lose the plot over that

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

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