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

wcooba · 07-04-2021 08:37AM

ShadowTech wrote: »

Thank you for this post! I was trying to find out if there was a sunset clause and because of your post I was able to find it in the legislation itself (because I now knew what I was looking for).

I hope you're wrong about it being extended but nothing would really surprise me anymore.

Anyway, I'm still trying to find the criteria the government is using for adding/removing a country. I suppose it's in the legislation too and I'll just need time to read it all thoroughly.

You are welcome. As far I remember the legislation is pretty vague and I don’t think any criteria got published (I doubt they even exist - it all seems arbitrary). They moved goal posts already - initially it was about variants of concern, now it’s about high incidence or stopping travel all together?

Micky 32 · 07-04-2021 08:42AM

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

Can anyone here see travel to and from the UK being allowed?

If Boris gets his way on opening international travel it’s very unlikely that we’ll be allowed to travel to the UK.

Tazz T · 07-04-2021 08:46AM

Micky 32 wrote: »

If Boris gets his way on opening international travel it’s very unlikely that we’ll be allowed to travel to the UK.

Are you talking about a one way hard border?

Ray Donovan · 07-04-2021 08:46AM

Tazz T wrote: »

I can think of 2000 reasons

I think you’ll find it’s still actually 1500 reasons less than that.

Hector Savage · 07-04-2021 08:47AM

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-pm-has-not-given-up-on-foreign-holidays-from-17-may-and-holidaymakers-could-use-lateral-flow-tests-12267483

Boris Johnson says he has not "given up" on allowing Britons to jet abroad from 17 May - as he raised the prospect of holidaymakers being able to use cheaper and faster COVID tests on their return to the UK.

Even if it didn't come to pass, isn't it refreshing for people to be told that they are at least trying to allow holidays to go ahead.

Instead of what we get here;

Coronavirus: Summer holidays abroad ‘not realistic’, says Holohan
CMO says Irish people heading for summer ‘of beaches in their own localities’

In the summer most of the UK adult population will be vaccinated, why will people need testing returning to the UK ?

I am genuinely curious here ?

Why are they going out of their way to look for positives ????

Will testing continue on arrival when 100% of pop are vaccinated ?

It's like my wife, she has had TWO doses of the moderna vaccine, last dose was mid-March so she is fully immune now, she needs to take a PCR test in work next week, I mean WTAF ...

Also in the UK, they want to test EVERYBODY - this would have made sense this time one year ago, but now ??? when 3/5 adults have had at least one dose ????

Whats going on ?

Genuine question ?

Tazz T · 07-04-2021 08:48AM

Ray Donovan wrote: »

I think you’ll find it’s still actually 1500 reasons less than that.

Okay. Up to 2000 reasons. But 500 is still a lot of reasons.

Ray Donovan · 07-04-2021 08:51AM

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

Just reading about the latest desperate moves from Donnelly, apparently he's trying to close the legal loophole around medical travel, and trying to cap the numbers entering the country so the MHQ can be applied to all (I'd say about 3 at a time would be the most they could manage). However, one thing jumped out;

Those caught travelling without a valid reason are liable to fines of up to €2,000.

I assume the fine is still €500, but can be increased to €2000 in court on failure to pay?

Also, I would assume that they're not going to close the door on the UK? I think we seem to have more loyalty to them than Europe? Can anyone here see travel to and from the UK being allowed? Would be easier than driving to Belfast. With most of our flight routes decimated, I would imagine that the yanks will be free flowing in via Heathrow?

Citizens Information says it’s still €500.

Micky 32 · 07-04-2021 08:52AM

bubblypop wrote: »

Did I hear Donnelly say that MHQ was 'only for a few months'
You would wonder why they bothered if that was their thinking.

Where did he say that? On Prime Time?. Is that not a good thing him saying that? If he’s not lying quarantine is until we are vaccinated so, maybe some light at the end of the tunnel, possibly.

Chuck Norris 2021 · 07-04-2021 08:54AM

Hector Savage wrote: »

In the summer most of the UK adult population will be vaccinated, why will people need testing returning to the UK ?

I am genuinely curious here ?

Why are they going out of their way to look for positives ????

Will testing continue on arrival when 100% of pop are vaccinated ?

It's like my wife, she has had TWO doses of the moderna vaccine, last dose was mid-March so she is fully immune now, she needs to take a PCR test in work next week, I mean WTAF ...

Also in the UK, they want to test EVERYBODY - this would have made sense this time one year ago, but now ??? when 3/5 adults have had at least one dose ????

Whats going on ?

Genuine question ?

I could be totally wrong here, but I believe the vaccines don't fully protect from getting the virus, they reduce the risk of serious illness or death, so testing may still be required for a while to protect those who haven't opted for the vaccine, or younger people with health issues?

JDD · 07-04-2021 08:57AM

Tell me this - once you can travel within your county on 12 April, people in Dublin should be able to travel to the airport without being stopped and fined by Gardai. The rules I suppose will still say that you can't get on an airplane without an essential reason, as obviously once the plane is up in the air you will be crossing your county border. Do we expect to see gardai at the airport, either in departures or arrivals, checking to see whether you have an essential reason for travelling?

Is there a list of what is deemed an essential reason, or is it just up to you to argue it and the gardai may or may not prosecute you?

Say I want to go to Portugal. I have a friend living there who is depressed, and I'm flying out because I am very concerned about their mental health. I consider that to be an essential reason, but I have no proof such as a dentist's appointment or some such. I get a negative covid test on the way back, and isolate at home for ten days on my return. Am I complying with travel guidance?

daydorunrun · 07-04-2021 09:01AM

JDD wrote: »

Say I want to go to Portugal. I have a friend living there who is depressed, and I'm flying out because I am very concerned about their mental health. I consider that to be an essential reason, but I have no proof such as a dentist's appointment or some such. I get a negative covid test on the way back, and isolate at home for ten days on my return. Am I complying with travel guidance?

No- you are complying with common sense but not the travel guidance. They are very different things.

JDD · 07-04-2021 09:11AM

daydorunrun wrote: »

No- you are complying with common sense but not the travel guidance. They are very different things.

Well yes, but which part of the travel guidance am I not complying with?

Hector Savage · 07-04-2021 09:25AM

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

I could be totally wrong here, but I believe the vaccines don't fully protect from getting the virus, they reduce the risk of serious illness or death, so testing may still be required for a while to protect those who haven't opted for the vaccine, or younger people with health issues?

OK and then what ?

07-04-2021 09:28AM

JDD wrote: »

Well yes, but which part of the travel guidance am I not complying with?

It's not essential travel to go see your friend. I have depression, random people can't just come visit me within the guidelines.

Ray Donovan · 07-04-2021 09:28AM

JDD wrote: »

Well yes, but which part of the travel guidance am I not complying with?

You are not giving an essential reason to travel that is set out in the guidelines. The closest you could argue is “To care for a family member or for other vital family reasons” but it’s your mate and not a family member. And you don’t have proof that you are going to care for him.

07-04-2021 09:31AM

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

I could be totally wrong here, but I believe the vaccines don't fully protect from getting the virus, they reduce the risk of serious illness or death, so testing may still be required for a while to protect those who haven't opted for the vaccine, or younger people with health issues?

They are the same as other vaccines. No vaccine is 100% guaranteed.

They stand 65 to 95% chance of stopping it depending on which one and which review you read.

Of the remaining people that still get it, it reduces infection length and symptoms.

The faster it eliminates the virus, the less likely you are too spread it.

We just don't have hard data because it's new. Probable looking at a decade before we can really say what is and isn't about them.

07-04-2021 09:34AM

Micky 32 wrote: »

Where did he say that? On Prime Time?. Is that not a good thing him saying that? If he’s not lying quarantine is until we are vaccinated so, maybe some light at the end of the tunnel, possibly.

It would be a great thing, but I'm not sure why they would.bother at this late stage to go through all this for a few months.
Doesn't make sense, but I guess that's governments

Hector Savage · 07-04-2021 09:34AM

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

They are the same as other vaccines. No vaccine is 100% guaranteed.

They stand 65 to 95% chance of stopping it depending on which one and which review you read.

Of the remaining people that still get it, it reduces infection length and symptoms.

The faster it eliminates the virus, the less likely you are too spread it.

We just don't have hard data because it's new. Probable looking at a decade before we can really say what is and isn't about them.

This is the problem, they will use this to essentially have restrictions for 10 years ...

07-04-2021 09:35AM

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

Just reading about the latest desperate moves from Donnelly, apparently he's trying to close the legal loophole around medical travel, and trying to cap the numbers entering the country so the MHQ can be applied to all (I'd say about 3 at a time would be the most they could manage). However, one thing jumped out;

Those caught travelling without a valid reason are liable to fines of up to €2,000.

I assume the fine is still €500, but can be increased to €2000 in court on failure to pay?

Also, I would assume that they're not going to close the door on the UK? I think we seem to have more loyalty to them than Europe? Can anyone here see travel to and from the UK being allowed? Would be easier than driving to Belfast. With most of our flight routes decimated, I would imagine that the yanks will be free flowing in via Heathrow?

As I said the other day. It's either now in force or coming in, I can't recall the actual date.

07-04-2021 09:36AM

JDD wrote: »

Tell me this - once you can travel within your county on 12 April, people in Dublin should be able to travel to the airport without being stopped and fined by Gardai. The rules I suppose will still say that you can't get on an airplane without an essential reason, as obviously once the plane is up in the air you will be crossing your county border. Do we expect to see gardai at the airport, either in departures or arrivals, checking to see whether you have an essential reason for travelling?

Is there a list of what is deemed an essential reason, or is it just up to you to argue it and the gardai may or may not prosecute you?

Say I want to go to Portugal. I have a friend living there who is depressed, and I'm flying out because I am very concerned about their mental health. I consider that to be an essential reason, but I have no proof such as a dentist's appointment or some such. I get a negative covid test on the way back, and isolate at home for ten days on my return. Am I complying with travel guidance?

Essential reasons to leave your house/travel somewhere are listed in the legislation

Dr. Em · 07-04-2021 10:01AM

Tazz T wrote: »

so basically, from next month, the US can travel to Europe while we, a EU, country can't??????

No, it is the other way around. The article says that the US is lifting their travel ban on people travelling from EU countries to the US. You will be able to travel to the US now. The Schengen entry ban on travellers coming from outside of the EU/EEA (US included) will still be in effect. Has anyone heard anything about it being lifted? Norway is considering extending it until November.

MarkY91 · 07-04-2021 10:16AM

Talk of more countries to be added including France but I can't find the actual list anywhere.

Dr. Em · 07-04-2021 10:27AM

JDD wrote: »

Tell me this - once you can travel within your county on 12 April, people in Dublin should be able to travel to the airport without being stopped and fined by Gardai. The rules I suppose will still say that you can't get on an airplane without an essential reason, as obviously once the plane is up in the air you will be crossing your county border. Do we expect to see gardai at the airport, either in departures or arrivals, checking to see whether you have an essential reason for travelling?

Is there a list of what is deemed an essential reason, or is it just up to you to argue it and the gardai may or may not prosecute you?

Say I want to go to Portugal. I have a friend living there who is depressed, and I'm flying out because I am very concerned about their mental health. I consider that to be an essential reason, but I have no proof such as a dentist's appointment or some such. I get a negative covid test on the way back, and isolate at home for ten days on my return. Am I complying with travel guidance?

Check if you wil be allowed into Portugal. The last I heard, all non-essential travel from EU countries with a 14-day incidence rate higher than 150/100k was suspended. Ireland's rate is 157. Those restrictions will be reviewed or extended on 15 April.

Ray Donovan · 07-04-2021 10:33AM

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

As I said the other day. It's either now in force or coming in, I can't recall the actual date.

Its been coming in for a long time now. A bit like Drew Harris saying dental travel would be made illegal or something to that effect. Still hasn't happened.

Dr. Em · 07-04-2021 10:34AM

Hector Savage wrote: »

In the summer most of the UK adult population will be vaccinated, why will people need testing returning to the UK ?

I am genuinely curious here ?

Why are they going out of their way to look for positives ????

Will testing continue on arrival when 100% of pop are vaccinated ?

It's like my wife, she has had TWO doses of the moderna vaccine, last dose was mid-March so she is fully immune now, she needs to take a PCR test in work next week, I mean WTAF ...

Also in the UK, they want to test EVERYBODY - this would have made sense this time one year ago, but now ??? when 3/5 adults have had at least one dose ????

Whats going on ?

Genuine question ?

Couple of reasons. The UK is worried about missing vaccination targets. They had massive rollout of the first doses, but now second doses are due and the vaccine production hasn't increased as much as they hoped. They will have to slow the rollout of new first doses. It shouldn't set them back too much, but as far as many of the health advisors are concerned, there is no benefit in allowing travel until everyone is vaccinated.
Then there is the financial aspect. If they can keep tourist money in the UK while opening up hospitality, it will be a massive boost to the economy. It is in the government's interest to make it too expensive for the common person to go on holiday, while still appearing to open up travel.

Ray Donovan · 07-04-2021 10:49AM

I'm just going to give my own summer plans here and see if anyone can relate or has thoughts on it.

So like a lof of people my wife and I postponed our holiday last Summer (foolishly in hindsight) and took our vouchers from Aer Lingus. News about cases and vaccines etc etc was all very positive in November so we rebooked for late June this year for a 3 week holiday in good old Lanzo (How novel I know, but we've done serious travelling over the last number of years so we said we'd return to an old reliable)

So then Christmas happened and all that has happened in this country regarding travel restrictions since this has been a direct consequence of that so we are gone from being hopeful of travel ban being lifted to not an actual prayer of it happening in time for our trip plus the threat of MHQ.

So this has left us with a couple of options I suppose. By the way I am not even considering the option of not going because this is nearly all that is keeping me going at the moment.

So 1 - We stick to the original plan and fly from Dublin on our assigned dates. I have already booked a dental appointment for the day after we arrive so hoping to avoid the fine with that. Also I plan on having fast track through security in T1 and T2 and I would float around hoping for a time when no guard will be there and just go on through so wouldn't have to answer questions on my trip.

Or option 2 - fly from Belfast. So hopefully inter-country travel restrictions will be gone by late June so I can drive to Belfast restriction free and UK travel will be back up and running by then so no restrictions from Belfast Airport. BUT this will cost me an extra €1,000 between booking new flights and travel up the North. So my wife and I would be financially no worse off if we each got the €500 fine and flew on from Dublin as outlined in Option 1.

The 2 week quarantine AT HOME is not a problem for us when we get back but if Donnelly puts Spain on the list for MHQ then we can officially forget about going.

At the moment I am leaning towards Option 1 and taking my chances from Dublin with my dental appointment. And the unknown in all this is the EU Travel Certificate which may come to my rescue. However my wife read somewhere today that this might not be and up and running until July.

toffeeshel · 07-04-2021 10:54AM

Ray Donovan wrote: »

I'm just going to give my own summer plans here and see if anyone can relate or has thoughts on it.

So like a lof of people my wife and I postponed our holiday last Summer (foolishly in hindsight) and took our vouchers from Aer Lingus. News about cases and vaccines etc etc was all very positive in November so we rebooked for late June this year for a 3 week holiday in good old Lanzo (How novel I know, but we've done serious travelling over the last number of years so we said we'd return to an old reliable)

So then Christmas happened and all that has happened in this country regarding travel restrictions since this has been a direct consequence of that so we are gone from being hopeful of travel ban being lifted to not an actual prayer of it happening in time for our trip plus the threat of MHQ.

So this has left us with a couple of options I suppose. By the way I am not even considering the option of not going because this is nearly all that is keeping me going at the moment.

So 1 - We stick to the original plan and fly from Dublin on our assigned dates. I have already booked a dental appointment for the day after we arrive so hoping to avoid the fine with that. Also I plan on having fast track through security in T1 and T2 and I would float around hoping for a time when no guard will be there and just go on through so wouldn't have to answer questions on my trip.

Or option 2 - fly from Belfast. So hopefully inter-country travel restrictions will be gone by late June so I can drive to Belfast restriction free and UK travel will be back up and running by then so no restrictions from Belfast Airport. BUT this will cost me and extra €1,000 between booking new flights and travel up the North. So my wife and I would be financially no worse off if we each got the €500 fine and flew on from Dublin as outlined in Option 1. And we could move our Dublin flights to maybe next Easter or somthing and pay the fare balance.

The 2 week quarantine AT HOME is not a problem for us when we get back but if Donnelly puts Spain on the list then we can officially forget.

At the moment I am leaning towards Option 1 and taking my chances from Dublin with my dental appointment. And the unknown in all this is the EU Travel Certificate which may come to my rescue. However my wife read somewhere today that this might not be and up and running until July.

Could you not move the flights to September or better still October? I would imagine that you would have a good chance of getting away then without all the hassle of Belfast or fines

Ray Donovan · 07-04-2021 10:58AM

toffeeshel wrote: »

Could you not move the flights to September or better still October? I would imagine that you would have a good chance of getting away then without all the hassle of Belfast or fines

I'd love to but my 26 10 year old students would probably be wondering where the hell I am!!!

Dr. Em · 07-04-2021 11:00AM

Ray Donovan wrote: »

I'm just going to give my own summer plans here and see if anyone can relate or has thoughts on it.

So like a lof of people my wife and I postponed our holiday last Summer (foolishly in hindsight) and took our vouchers from Aer Lingus. News about cases and vaccines etc etc was all very positive in November so we rebooked for late June this year for a 3 week holiday in good old Lanzo (How novel I know, but we've done serious travelling over the last number of years so we said we'd return to an old reliable)

So then Christmas happened and all that has happened in this country regarding travel restrictions since this has been a direct consequence of that so we are gone from being hopeful of travel ban being lifted to not an actual prayer of it happening in time for our trip plus the threat of MHQ.

So this has left us with a couple of options I suppose. By the way I am not even considering the option of not going because this is nearly all that is keeping me going at the moment.

So 1 - We stick to the original plan and fly from Dublin on our assigned dates. I have already booked a dental appointment for the day after we arrive so hoping to avoid the fine with that. Also I plan on having fast track through security in T1 and T2 and I would float around hoping for a time when no guard will be there and just go on through so wouldn't have to answer questions on my trip.

Or option 2 - fly from Belfast. So hopefully inter-country travel restrictions will be gone by late June so I can drive to Belfast restriction free and UK travel will be back up and running by then so no restrictions from Belfast Airport. BUT this will cost me an extra €1,000 between booking new flights and travel up the North. So my wife and I would be financially no worse off if we each got the €500 fine and flew on from Dublin as outlined in Option 1.

The 2 week quarantine AT HOME is not a problem for us when we get back but if Donnelly puts Spain on the list for MHQ then we can officially forget about going.

At the moment I am leaning towards Option 1 and taking my chances from Dublin with my dental appointment. And the unknown in all this is the EU Travel Certificate which may come to my rescue. However my wife read somewhere today that this might not be and up and running until July.

Consider this: the current UK restrictions on travel are far harsher than Ireland's, and they have no legal obligation to allow free movement with EU countries.

Also consider: the restrictions in Lanzarote could also change. I know of a couple who went there last year and were locked down in the hotel on the second day of their holiday.

josip · 07-04-2021 11:03AM

Ray Donovan wrote: »

...
So 1 - We stick to the original plan and fly from Dublin on our assigned dates. I have already booked a dental appointment for the day after we arrive so hoping to avoid the fine with that. Also I plan on having fast track through security in T1 and T2 and I would float around hoping for a time when no guard will be there and just go on through so wouldn't have to answer questions on my trip.

Or option 2 - fly from Belfast. So hopefully inter-country travel restrictions will be gone by late June so I can drive to Belfast restriction free and UK travel will be back up and running by then so no restrictions from Belfast Airport. BUT this will cost me an extra €1,000 between booking new flights and travel up the North. So my wife and I would be financially no worse off if we each got the €500 fine and flew on from Dublin as outlined in Option 1.

...

Option 1 definitely.
If your trip was in May or even early June I'd lean towards Belfast.
I'm surprised that dentists in the Canaries are still taking bookings from Irish people

Totally unrelated, but following a rabbit someone let out further up about our 14 day incidence rate, I see that of the 7,482 cases in the previous 2 weeks, 23 were 'imported'.

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/covid-1914-dayepidemiologyreports/COVID-19_14_day_epidemiology_report_20210406_WEB.pdf

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

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