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

01-05-2021 12:44PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

Firstly I said nothing about Ireland, the EU suggested it I believe is where this started.

Munich = free test in airport.

Malta = free rapid test on arrival

Ireland = over 4m free tests performed to date

The cost of administration of testing is nothing relative to the ludicrous costs of continuing lockdown / restrictions.

Im not saying it will happen, I'm just saying its not hard to believe, it's very easy to see it happening. Ireland traditionally never misses a cash grab however if the EU push it, then hopefully..

This has to be a wind-up. Your just riling me aren't you?

I was specifically speaking about IRELAND. I made numerous posts that IRELAND would not be providing free tests as IRELAND is not open nor encouraging travel and would not miss the opportunity to make money.

You might have been speaking about Europe but as you were replying to me, to should have clarified because you are agreeing with me.

As for the free tests.

IRELAND = Your 4 million means nothing as they are very specifically not accepted by other countries for travel. They will not be changed to accommodate travel.

Munich= "All air travelers who wish to travel to Germany by plane and change planes or enter Germany must undergo mandatory testing at the foreign departure airport before departure."

"Travelers who require proof of testing for their trip abroad, including their ID card number, for example, should contact one of the private test centers."

(https://www.munich-airport.com/corona-tests-at-the-airport-9526455)

So, not free for either going or leaving for holidays.

Malta = "All passengers travelling to Malta must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test to representatives of the local Health Authority, upon landing in Malta."

"Each nasal swab test is carried out against a payment of €35."

(https://www.maltairport.com/covid19/)

Again, not free for either going or leaving for holidays.

I'm sure it is possible to get free tests in those places but not for tourists unless you are saying the airport authorities of both are wrong?

Now, as for the EU. It makes perfect sense to give free tests to those not vaccinated BUT the eu is very firmly in favor of private enterprise and profit. Most countries will charge tourists.

eltonyio · 01-05-2021 12:47PM

0lddog wrote: »

'Beckons' ?

Might be The Minister for Transport giving two fingers to travel ? :mad:

Put your glasses on !

Never mind sleepy Eamon, global travel is an absolute juggernaut. Unless we go full North Korea with our borders, we'll be back travelling sooner than later.

wcooba · 01-05-2021 02:53PM

Dr. Em wrote: »

Why the aggressive tone?

From your source, it says: 'However,
Britain remains the largest single market accounting for 30% of holidaymakers.'

Tourist spending came up during the Brexit debate and I remembered it being pretty widely talked about.
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-biun/biun/tt/#:~:text=The%20average%20expenditure%20per%20trip,countries%20excluding%20the%20United%20Kingdom.

Here are the relevant quotes.
'The total expenditure (excluding fares) on overseas trips to Ireland in 2015 was €4.2bn,'

'Total expenditure abroad by Irish residents was €5.3bn in 2012 and this amount steadily increased over the following three years to stand at €6bn in 2015.'

There may well be a more recent estimate, if you want to dig around, but if I've seen those figures before, I assume someone in the government has also.

I don't know how the staycations went in terms of expenditure. If anyone knows and wants to bring interesting facts to the discussion and I will be happy to read it.

Again, I'm not advocating for keeping travel closed. My point is that inbound tourism may not be as powerful a motivating factor for the government as assumed.

Sorry didn’t mean to come across as aggressive. I just think that isolationism “keep money in the country” policy is highly flawed. If not totally stupid, considering Ireland’s unique position (part of EU and CTA + strong ties with US).
Fortunately the government seems to realise it too - better late than never.

Del Griffith · 01-05-2021 03:51PM

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

This has to be a wind-up. Your just riling me aren't you?

I was specifically speaking about IRELAND. I made numerous posts that IRELAND would not be providing free tests as IRELAND is not open nor encouraging travel and would not miss the opportunity to make money.

You might have been speaking about Europe but as you were replying to me, to should have clarified because you are agreeing with me.

As for the free tests.

IRELAND = Your 4 million means nothing as they are very specifically not accepted by other countries for travel. They will not be changed to accommodate travel.

Munich= "All air travelers who wish to travel to Germany by plane and change planes or enter Germany must undergo mandatory testing at the foreign departure airport before departure."

"Travelers who require proof of testing for their trip abroad, including their ID card number, for example, should contact one of the private test centers."

(https://www.munich-airport.com/corona-tests-at-the-airport-9526455)

So, not free for either going or leaving for holidays.

Malta = "All passengers travelling to Malta must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test to representatives of the local Health Authority, upon landing in Malta."

"Each nasal swab test is carried out against a payment of €35."

(https://www.maltairport.com/covid19/)

Again, not free for either going or leaving for holidays.

I'm sure it is possible to get free tests in those places but not for tourists unless you are saying the airport authorities of both are wrong?

Now, as for the EU. It makes perfect sense to give free tests to those not vaccinated BUT the eu is very firmly in favor of private enterprise and profit. Most countries will charge tourists.

There's several things wrong here.

Firstly your arguing as if I said free testing is already in place, it's not, what I said was that your balking as if it was an impossibility was totally misplaced -since it's easy, not prohibitively expensive (especially in comparison to the ludicrous cost of keeping travel effectively closed), and has already been done in several countries already.

Not to mention as I said, Ireland has administrated over 4m tests for free already. Did I say they were for travel? No I did not. What we're talking about here, again, is you basically say its impossible and will never happen that free testing will count for travel. The only difference far as I can see would be giving you a piece a paper saying it happened rather than an SMS. Or just doing it at the airport.

As for Munich and Malta, I don't know why I'm bothering to google this as I have literally landed in both places before there was a pre-flight test requirement, and been tested for free there..

Munich - https://www.munich-airport.com/corona-tests-at-the-airport-9526455#c58f203c_2

"Incoming travellers and also other persons (citizen testing) who wish to be tested for possible infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can do so free of charge at the Corona Test Center. The Corona Test Center is located in the Forum of the Munich Airport Center (MAC) on Level 04 and is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Each person who is tested will be notified promptly and will receive a written report, regardless of the result."

Malta Airports website has moved in line with the current standard of requiring a test pre-flight, as expected, but believe me or don't I don't care but there was free testing on arrival at the airport up until January at least.

All of this is just ridiculous anyway - the fact that practically every country is already testing it's citizens for free is surely evidence enough that free testing is not something difficult to pull off within the EU travel area.

Del Griffith · 01-05-2021 04:29PM

Another legal challenge results in immediate release from hotel prison:

https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2021/0501/1213259-courts-mandatory-hotel-quarantine/

Good reason too, I'm glad someone in charge somewhere seems to have some sense.

eltonyio · 01-05-2021 04:56PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

Another legal challenge results in immediate release from hotel prison:

https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2021/0501/1213259-courts-mandatory-hotel-quarantine/

Good reason too, I'm glad someone in charge somewhere seems to have some sense.

They really run scared at every challenge. Brutal stress to put someone under there.

M_Murphy57 · 01-05-2021 05:16PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

Another legal challenge results in immediate release from hotel prison:

https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2021/0501/1213259-courts-mandatory-hotel-quarantine/

Good reason too, I'm glad someone in charge somewhere seems to have some sense.

They denied an argentinian woman the right to leave the country after her father died suddenly, a few days ago. Surely that outcome was discriminatory when they make an opposite ruling for an Irish person coming in?!

saabsaab · 01-05-2021 05:57PM

wcooba wrote: »

Sorry didn’t mean to come across as aggressive. I just think that isolationism “keep money in the country” policy is highly flawed. If not totally stupid, considering Ireland’s unique position (part of EU and CTA + strong ties with US).
Fortunately the government seems to realise it too - better late than never.

There was no alternative for the course of action taken. With vaccinations going to plan things will change. I don't see a tidal wave of people going abroad this year in any case.

01-05-2021 06:34PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

There's several things wrong here.

Firstly your arguing as if I said free testing is already in place, it's not, what I said was that your balking as if it was an impossibility was totally misplaced -since it's easy, not prohibitively expensive (especially in comparison to the ludicrous cost of keeping travel effectively closed), and has already been done in several countries already.

Not to mention as I said, Ireland has administrated over 4m tests for free already. Did I say they were for travel? No I did not. What we're talking about here, again, is you basically say its impossible and will never happen that free testing will count for travel. The only difference far as I can see would be giving you a piece a paper saying it happened rather than an SMS. Or just doing it at the airport.

As for Munich and Malta, I don't know why I'm bothering to google this as I have literally landed in both places before there was a pre-flight test requirement, and been tested for free there..

Munich - https://www.munich-airport.com/corona-tests-at-the-airport-9526455#c58f203c_2

"Incoming travellers and also other persons (citizen testing) who wish to be tested for possible infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can do so free of charge at the Corona Test Center. The Corona Test Center is located in the Forum of the Munich Airport Center (MAC) on Level 04 and is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Each person who is tested will be notified promptly and will receive a written report, regardless of the result."

Malta Airports website has moved in line with the current standard of requiring a test pre-flight, as expected, but believe me or don't I don't care but there was free testing on arrival at the airport up until January at least.

All of this is just ridiculous anyway - the fact that practically every country is already testing it's citizens for free is surely evidence enough that free testing is not something difficult to pull off within the EU travel area.

What you have done in the past is irrelevant. I arrived in Spain in the past without any testing. Not now though.

TOURISM requires private pcr tests in Germany. I can quote you again:

"Travelers who require proof of testing for their trip abroad, including their ID card number, for example, should contact one of the private test centers."

When you selective quote, it looks highly suspicious especially when the above immediately followed your own quote.

So.
Malta charges,
Spain charges,
Ireland charges,
France charges,
Italy charges.
Greece charges,
and so on.

Of course free testing is possible, I never once claimed it wasn't. it just won't happen across the board for tourism in my opinion. Some tourism areas might do it but not all of the EU. We are in a travel threat so yes, it's testing for travel we are talking about.

However, it doesn't matter what those countries do (and again, I would love free testing considering I travel between two countries all the time) because a ****ing again, IRELAND.

I'm talking about IRELAND

Your entire argument with me is based on the comment "good luck getting testing for free" which was made in regards IRELAND. Only Ireland. Nothing else. No other country, Ireland.

So I cannot fathom why you are still coming after me considering you have actually agreed with me.

wcooba · 01-05-2021 06:46PM

saabsaab wrote: »

There was no alternative for the course of action taken.

Nonsense. Why EU countries are still on the MHQ list? As other posters pointed out previously - none of them is listed as area of variant of concern by RKI. Pure political b****it.

Hellrazer · 01-05-2021 07:16PM

saabsaab wrote: »

. I don't see a tidal wave of people going abroad this year in any case.

Almost everyone I know is going abroad as soon as possible - Irish hotels and restaurants will recoup all their losses by ripping people off this year.

titan18 · 01-05-2021 07:27PM

Hellrazer wrote: »

Almost everyone I know is going abroad as soon as possible - Irish hotels and restaurants will recoup all their losses by ripping people off this year.

Ya, I think it's worth waiting until we know the EU rules and how they'll apply but as soon as that happens, I'll be starting to book holidays again.

saabsaab · 01-05-2021 07:42PM

Hellrazer wrote: »

Almost everyone I know is going abroad as soon as possible - Irish hotels and restaurants will recoup all their losses by ripping people off this year.

They can't recoup if most go abroad. People I know that go every year have said to me that they aren't going this Summer at least.

titan18 · 01-05-2021 07:58PM

saabsaab wrote: »

They can't recoup if most go abroad. People I know that go every year have said to me that they aren't going this Summer at least.

A lot will skip this summer (although not sure they'll be booking in Ireland when they see the prices), but I reckon October mid term will be busier than ever.

I'd say August on we'll see a pick up in people travelling.

Del Griffith · 01-05-2021 08:04PM

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

What you have done in the past is irrelevant. I arrived in Spain in the past without any testing. Not now though.

TOURISM requires private pcr tests in Germany. I can quote you again:

"Travelers who require proof of testing for their trip abroad, including their ID card number, for example, should contact one of the private test centers."

When you selective quote, it looks highly suspicious especially when the above immediately followed your own quote.

So.
Malta charges,
Spain charges,
Ireland charges,
France charges,
Italy charges.
Greece charges,
and so on.

Of course free testing is possible, I never once claimed it wasn't. it just won't happen across the board for tourism in my opinion. Some tourism areas might do it but not all of the EU. We are in a travel threat so yes, it's testing for travel we are talking about.

However, it doesn't matter what those countries do (and again, I would love free testing considering I travel between two countries all the time) because a ****ing again, IRELAND.

I'm talking about IRELAND

Your entire argument with me is based on the comment "good luck getting testing for free" which was made in regards IRELAND. Only Ireland. Nothing else. No other country, Ireland.

So I cannot fathom why you are still coming after me considering you have actually agreed with me.

Coming after you? LOL - take a day off mate, you need it. This is a discussion board.

You may have noticed I was talking about tests being carried out on landing. I was giving an example of how straight forward, basic, and easy it is to provide free tests in regard to travel.

My literal first hand knowledge of which, having undertaken it myself in two countries in the EU of which I am not a citizen, is completely contrary to your baseless opinion.

I've given examples, I've also highlighted that standard non-travel testing is already free in practically every country, and I've also stated categorically that I'm not talking about today as free testing for travel is not in place (so its frankly bizarre that you keep going on about charges for tests even after that point).

But it seems like this is a lost cause so carry on... yea "that will never happen".. right..

kittensmittens · 01-05-2021 10:31PM

So how would it work if you booked a flight from Belfast being from the south? Just book and go I take it?

01-05-2021 10:41PM

Del Griffith wrote: »

Coming after you? LOL - take a day off mate, you need it. This is a discussion board.

You may have noticed I was talking about tests being carried out on landing. I was giving an example of how straight forward, basic, and easy it is to provide free tests in regard to travel.

My literal first hand knowledge of which, having undertaken it myself in two countries in the EU of which I am not a citizen, is completely contrary to your baseless opinion.

I've given examples, I've also highlighted that standard non-travel testing is already free in practically every country, and I've also stated categorically that I'm not talking about today as free testing for travel is not in place (so its frankly bizarre that you keep going on about charges for tests even after that point).

But it seems like this is a lost cause so carry on... yea "that will never happen".. right..

I'm going to just ignore you now. Go argue with a mirror.

Captain Bob · 02-05-2021 10:27AM

Hi Folks,
Just a question about inter-county travel after May 10. Does it cover travel to Northern Ireland, is it gonna be legal then?

02-05-2021 10:33AM

Captain Bob wrote: »

Hi Folks,
Just a question about inter-county travel after May 10. Does it cover travel to Northern Ireland, is it gonna be legal then?

Yes I believe so

dalyboy · 02-05-2021 11:12AM

saabsaab wrote: »

They can't recoup if most go abroad. People I know that go every year have said to me that they aren't going this Summer at least.

I agree however it’s mainly the “settled” people in my circle that are not going abroad this summer.
My single mates are all off for sun holidays from end of May onwards (open Ireland country travel via Belfast)
Nothing keeping them here tbf

dalyboy · 02-05-2021 11:16AM

Captain Bob wrote: »

Hi Folks,
Just a question about inter-county travel after May 10. Does it cover travel to Northern Ireland, is it gonna be legal then?

Totally legal.

Hop , skip , jump.
=
Hop (drive/bus to Belfast airport)
Skip (the stupid 2k fine)
Jump (onto a plane to non-rip off and hot locations)

KanyeSouthEast · 02-05-2021 11:21AM

dalyboy wrote: »

I agree however it’s mainly the “settled” people in my circle that are not going abroad this summer.
My single mates are all off for sun holidays from end of May onwards (open Ireland country travel via Belfast)
Nothing keeping them here tbf

I’m very settled and married albeit no children but we’ve absolutely zero plans to spend time in Ireland this summer autumn or winter. We’ve already several trips abroad planned. We will how ever support local retail and restaurants as we always have at every opportunity.

SusanC10 · 02-05-2021 11:27AM

I think having children makes it harder.
They won't be vaccinated if they are younger. And if they are teens, they may be able to get the vaccine in August.
And Parents are also tied to School Holidays. We always go abroad at the end of June (pre-Covid). August would be out of our budget tbh for what we like on a holiday.
Realistically, it will probably be 2022 before we go abroad now.

KanyeSouthEast · 02-05-2021 11:32AM

SusanC10 wrote: »

I think having children makes it harder.
They won't be vaccinated if they are younger. And if they are teens, they may be able to get the vaccine in August.
And Parents are also tied to School Holidays. We always go abroad at the end of June (pre-Covid). August would be out of our budget tbh for what we like on a holiday.
Realistically, it will probably be 2022 before we go abroad now.

Would agree with this Susan. Unfortunately this in some cases has meant from a few I know with kids translating itself into finger wagging and curtain twitching about those of us who can go abroad and I think some of it is jealousy and a kind of if I can’t go then you shouldn’t attitude.

dalyboy · 02-05-2021 11:34AM

KanyeSouthEast wrote: »

I’m very settled and married albeit no children but we’ve absolutely zero plans to spend time in Ireland this summer autumn or winter. We’ve already several trips abroad planned. We will how ever support local retail and restaurants as we always have at every opportunity.

Yeah. I’m very concerned about my local restaurants and bars locally and will 100% support them as they have always offered brilliant service at reasonable prices however I’ll negatively remember the hotels and resorts that have jacked up their prices by up to 400% on 12-24 month old rates.

SusanC10 · 02-05-2021 11:38AM

KanyeSouthEast wrote: »

Would agree with this Susan. Unfortunately this in some cases has meant from a few I know with kids translating itself into finger wagging and curtain twitching about those of us who can go abroad and I think some of it is jealousy and a kind of if I can’t go then you shouldn’t attitude.

Which is a daft attitude to have.
Husband and I and kids all love to travel and we have prioritised it over other luxuries over the years with zero regrets.
I would love to hop on a plane tomorrow and yes I will be envious of those who can this Summer but I will not begrudge anyone else.

KanyeSouthEast · 02-05-2021 12:42PM

SusanC10 wrote: »

Which is a daft attitude to have.
Husband and I and kids all love to travel and we have prioritised it over other luxuries over the years with zero regrets.
I would love to hop on a plane tomorrow and yes I will be envious of those who can this Summer but I will not begrudge anyone else.

Have you seen that attitude yourself? Just to be clear I absolutely wasn’t saying you were one of those people!

Gael23 · 02-05-2021 12:47PM

saabsaab wrote: »

They can't recoup if most go abroad. People I know that go every year have said to me that they aren't going this Summer at least.

If they kept their prices down they might do well and keep people here.
Bit of a catch 22

SusanC10 · 02-05-2021 12:51PM

KanyeSouthEast wrote: »

Have you seen that attitude yourself? Just to be clear I absolutely wasn’t saying you were one of those people!

Not yet tbh but I imagine that I will as the Summer goes on.

No, I know that - it's just that type of attitude (begrudgers) really irritates me !

dublin_paul · 02-05-2021 02:01PM

dalyboy wrote: »

Totally legal.

Hop , skip , jump.
=
Hop (drive/bus to Belfast airport)
Skip (the stupid 2k fine)
Jump (onto a plane to non-rip off and hot locations)

I'm planning to do this in July, can't trust Ireland's international travel policies, and want to get to Switzerland with my swiss girlfriend for a couple weeks to meet her family, etc. Has anyone read any issues doing this recently?

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

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