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

NewApproach · 18-05-2021 10:55PM

What exactly are the rules on returning flights into Belfast for Irish residents?

I have been abroad for the last 6 months or so and will be heading back soon enough. I will be transiting through Heathrow, ideally into Belfast. Where I am coming from is not on the UK's red list, but rather the 'grey list'... It seems I can transit through Heathrow once I have a neg PCR test, but the position once I get to Belfast isn't entirely clear.

Alternative would be that I just switch my flight from Heathrow to Dublin, but welcome thoughts!

NewApproach · 18-05-2021 11:10PM

Also, just how closely are the Irish airports being policed for the €2k fine? Is it only temporary checkpoints? Any data on the numbers being fined?

Feria40 · 18-05-2021 11:32PM

I think I know the answer already but perhaps someone here can be a bit more definitive.

Ryanair are currently allowing you to change your flight once you book by the end of June and travel before the end of October.

Am I right in saying that this only applies to the departure & arrival dates?

I.e. I am looking to book a flight to Europe in August from Dublin. Flights are also available to this destination from Belfast.

If I book to travel from Dublin but things go awry with the hoped for easing of travel restrictions, can I change to the Belfast option? Without paying a full fare fee obviously

Lumen · 19-05-2021 04:52AM

NewApproach wrote: »

Also, just how closely are the Irish airports being policed for the €2k fine? Is it only temporary checkpoints? Any data on the numbers being fined?

252 in April, 4 to 9th May.

COVID-19 Statistics - 14 May 2021
https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/coronavirus-covid-19-.html

https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/covid-fines-14-5-21.pdf

lcstress2012 · 19-05-2021 05:47AM

If worst comes to worst and this non essential travel is still here with mandatory quarantine then I’ll head to Spain through Belfast so there’s no need to quarantine! Hopefully I can get away in august!!

19-05-2021 06:07AM

lcstress2012 wrote: »

If worst comes to worst and this non essential travel is still here with mandatory quarantine then I’ll head to Spain through Belfast so there’s no need to quarantine! Hopefully I can get away in august!!

How do you mean 'no need to quarantine ' ?

Del Griffith · 19-05-2021 06:15AM

saabsaab wrote: »

The travel brought it here undeniable so it was terrible. If we didn't take the actions we did it would have been much worse. Not hard to understand that either way would be bad for several industries.

Xenophobia

Del Griffith · 19-05-2021 06:24AM

bubblypop wrote: »

How do you mean 'no need to quarantine ' ?

Presumably they mean that if the Irish government policies are so unreasonable that they force people to side step them and travel through Belfast, that'll they'll end up ignoring all of the policies instead of just the overbearing ones.

An unfortunate yet highly predictable side effect of over legislating draconian laws on people.

Much like closing pubs when groups of 6 were allowed with restrictions, we saw groups of 100 gathering outside drinking, following no restrictions at all.

Basically if (when) the Government lose the room, people won't just ignore certain rules, they'll ignore them all.

19-05-2021 06:44AM

Del Griffith wrote: »

Presumably they mean that if the Irish government policies are so unreasonable that they force people to side step them and travel through Belfast, that'll they'll end up ignoring all of the policies instead of just the overbearing ones.

An unfortunate yet highly predictable side effect of over legislating draconian laws on people.

Much like closing pubs when groups of 6 were allowed with restrictions, we saw groups of 100 gathering outside drinking, following no restrictions at all.

Basically if (when) the Government lose the room, people won't just ignore certain rules, they'll ignore them all.

Which is why you have people complaining about others travelling.

If travellers cannot be relied upon to comply with.Quarantine restrictions on their return to Ireland, such restrictions will go on and on and on.
Posters and travellers like this one is where people's anger should be directed.

Valhallapt · 19-05-2021 07:30AM

Del Griffith wrote: »

Presumably they mean that if the Irish government policies are so unreasonable that they force people to side step them and travel through Belfast, that'll they'll end up ignoring all of the policies instead of just the overbearing ones.

An unfortunate yet highly predictable side effect of over legislating draconian laws on people.

Much like closing pubs when groups of 6 were allowed with restrictions, we saw groups of 100 gathering outside drinking, following no restrictions at all.

Basically if (when) the Government lose the room, people won't just ignore certain rules, they'll ignore them all.

Very true. I have spent the last 18 months abiding by all the rules. The 2k fine is disproportionate, I’ll go via Belfast and ignore the government from now on.

lcstress2012 · 19-05-2021 07:40AM

bubblypop wrote: »

How do you mean 'no need to quarantine ' ?

I’m sorry I must of got confused writing the post! Obviously no quarantine needed from Spain but to avoid the non essential €2k fine I’ll travel from Belfast.

19-05-2021 07:46AM

lcstress2012 wrote: »

I’m sorry I must of got confused writing the post! Obviously no quarantine needed from Spain but to avoid the non essential €2k fine I’ll travel from Belfast.

You are still required to quarantine at home when you return to Ireland

lcstress2012 · 19-05-2021 07:49AM

bubblypop wrote: »

You are still required to quarantine at home when you return to Ireland

You don’t need to quarantine if you travel from Belfast. It’s not on the MHQ list anymore?

stephenjmcd · 19-05-2021 07:51AM

lcstress2012 wrote: »

You don’t need to quarantine if you travel from Belfast. It’s not on the MHQ list anymore?

In this case the journey begins in Spain so yes you are asked to quarantine at home, test after 5 days. This applies to all travel into the state.

MHQ is different

19-05-2021 07:53AM

lcstress2012 wrote: »

You don’t need to quarantine if you travel from Belfast. It’s not on the MHQ list anymore?

You are travelling from Spain are you not?

lcstress2012 · 19-05-2021 08:06AM

bubblypop wrote: »

You are travelling from Spain are you not?

No travelling to Spain from belfast

19-05-2021 08:16AM

lcstress2012 wrote: »

No travelling to Spain from belfast

Yes spain.
Do you live in northern Ireland?

Del Griffith · 19-05-2021 08:20AM

bubblypop wrote: »

Which is why you have people complaining about others travelling.

If travellers cannot be relied upon to comply with.Quarantine restrictions on their return to Ireland, such restrictions will go on and on and on.
Posters and travellers like this one is where people's anger should be directed.

The point sailed completely over your head

pc7 · 19-05-2021 08:20AM

Ryan on Newstalk now saying we want those aviation jobs back in Cork/Shannon, yeah right Eamon.

19-05-2021 08:26AM

Del Griffith wrote: »

The point sailed completely over your head

Oh no I got your point.
I just don't agree. There are many laws that people may not agree with, that doesn't make it alright to ignore them.

JojoLoca · 19-05-2021 08:58AM

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

E, I agree but that's not what you said. What country are currently accepting them? Back your claim.

Right, so you can stop throwing mud at the public sector. Great.

Austria, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland as far as I'm aware

Valhallapt · 19-05-2021 09:08AM

My flights are booked from the 28th June to Portugal from Dublin, but getting a bit nervous. I am thinking of moving them to Belfast. But I’d prefer Dublin if at all possible, but if I leave the swap until June it’ll cost me a fortune, what to do....

Lumen · 19-05-2021 09:13AM

lcstress2012 wrote: »

You don’t need to quarantine if you travel from Belfast. It’s not on the MHQ list anymore?

Doesn't matter.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b4020-travelling-to-ireland-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

"Mandatory quarantine requirements apply to all persons who have been overseas in the 14-days prior to entering Ireland"

The penalty for ignoring this is up to 5k fine and/or prison. It's not even a fixed charge penalty, it's a court appearance.

Chuck Norris 2021 · 19-05-2021 09:21AM

Valhallapt wrote: »

My flights are booked from the 28th June to Portugal from Dublin, but getting a bit nervous. I am thinking of moving them to Belfast. But I’d prefer Dublin if at all possible, but if I leave the swap until June it’ll cost me a fortune, what to do....

If you could afford to wait until June 2nd you'd be better off. It's a hard one to call. I was considering booking extra flights for Italy for August just incase.

I think at this point we are reliant on the 2k being a violation of EU law. Has anyone heard back following their complaints? Any updates from TDs?

Lumen · 19-05-2021 09:35AM

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

Legally, you're entirely correct. From a practical point of view, the more people see laws as over the top or unfair, the more likely they are to ignore them or try to find ways around them.

That's fine, i just think it's irresponsible to let the idea persist that "going via Belfast" to avoid quarantine on return is OK.

They may not get caught, but it is very definitely against the law and can in theory attract a criminal prosecution. If people know that and take the risk anyway then that's their lookout.

eltonyio · 19-05-2021 09:55AM

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/19/were-hoping-for-a-good-season-italy-prepares-to-welcome-back-tourists

Nice to see a plan, alongside both common sense and ambition from Italy. We could do with some of that here!

That could be about to change now that Italy has dropped Covid-19 quarantine measures for tourists arriving from EU and Schengen area countries, as well as the UK and Israel. The quarantine has also been removed for visitors travelling from the US, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates onboard Covid-tested flights. All tourists will need to provide evidence of having been fully vaccinated with an EU-approved Covid-19 vaccine, of having recovered from the virus or tested negative 48 hours prior to travelling.

Chuck Norris 2021 · 19-05-2021 10:01AM

Lumen wrote: »

That's fine, i just think it's irresponsible to let the idea persist that "going via Belfast" to avoid quarantine on return is OK.

They may not get caught, but it is very definitely against the law and can in theory attract a criminal prosecution. If people know that and take the risk anyway then that's their lookout.

I would think that the biggest factor driving people north is the fine rather than avoiding quarantine. Of course there are people who will take the **ss. I just wish the government would wake up to the fact and make their measures proportional.

dalyboy · 19-05-2021 10:06AM

eltonyio wrote: »

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/19/were-hoping-for-a-good-season-italy-prepares-to-welcome-back-tourists

Nice to see a plan, alongside both common sense and ambition from Italy. We could do with some of that here!

Just awaiting the UK (and N.I) to reciprocate this gesture from Italy and all bets are off. Belfast airport here I come..

I hope these positive movements within the EU regarding countries opening up to foreign tourists is causing our government/anti travel brigade some sleepless nights.

We are close to the finish line for reinstatement of our right to international travel thankfully

Chuck Norris 2021 · 19-05-2021 10:11AM

dalyboy wrote: »

Just awaiting the UK (and N.I) to reciprocate this gesture from Italy and all bets are off. Belfast airport here I come..

I hope these positive movements within the EU regarding countries opening up to foreign tourists is causing our government/anti travel brigade some sleepless nights.

We are close to the finish line for reinstatement of our right to international travel thankfully

Just like the lockdown lovers, what'll we talk about if they remove all the restraints? :rolleyes::pac:

Lumen · 19-05-2021 10:50AM

Chuck Norris 2021 wrote: »

I would think that the biggest factor driving people north is the fine rather than avoiding quarantine. Of course there are people who will take the **ss. I just wish the government would wake up to the fact and make their measures proportional.

I wouldn't assume much about the many ways people may misinterpret the rules.

This thread of conversation included

lcstress2012 wrote: »

I’m sorry I must of got confused writing the post! Obviously no quarantine needed from Spain but to avoid the non essential €2k fine I’ll travel from Belfast.

lcstress2012 wrote: »

You don’t need to quarantine if you travel from Belfast. It’s not on the MHQ list anymore?

There's a huge set of issues you have to navigate when planning travel right now, the scope for confusion is enormous.

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

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