Recent foreign travellers; what differences in atmosphere did you notice re: Covid?

ShineOn7 · 23-08-2020 12:32pm #1

For those of you who've traveled in recent months; what differences in atmosphere and attitude did you notice re: the pandemic?

I randomly watched a travel vlogger on Youtube taking a wander around a beautiful town in Croatia a few days back. Very busy streets, very little mask wearing (he was outdoors in fairness) and everyone just getting on with (and doing their best to enjoy) their lives

(Not a screenshot, just an idea of how lovely Dubrovnik in Crete looks)

citylife_fl_dubrovnik-71_hr_web.jpg?w=1900&h=1267

citylife_fl_dubrovnik-71_hr_web.jpg?w=1900&h=1267

I then read the reports on the Covid subforum of other countries and places (like Prague for example) and it's a similar theme to the above

And then you have Ireland; from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed you are bombarded by the media with constant Covid negativity

Yet, the countries mentioned by other posters have rising cases like Ireland too.

So something does not compute

Either:

A) The above countries (Crete, Czech Republic etc) will be savaged by April type numbers in coming weeks because of their more casual approach

Or

The Irish government (and by turns, the media) are forcing us into a constant state of unnecessary stress and fear. The government are doing it to cover their recent, very serious, missteps. And the media are doing it for clicks and $$ (although I believe certain large media outlets are just mouthpieces for the government too)

When you compare the atmosphere in Ireland to many countries in the EU, it's all a bit strange to be honest

Recent foreign travelers; what differences in atmosphere did you notice re: Covid versus Ireland?

jonnny68 · 24-08-2020 11:53am

i can only speak coming from the UK , it's similar over there to here but i noticed there doesnt appear to be as much fear and negativity in the media as Ireland.

kelso00 · 24-08-2020 10:15pm

I spent number of weeks in another EU country with similar number of cases per 100k ppl recently.

- ppl try to live as normal as possible,
- no covid posters everywhere, few at the entrances to shops, small not aggressive reminders to wear mask and sanitize hands,
- masks worn indoors and in public transport ,
- bars and nightclubs open with no dancing, quite busy, no bookings or sit at your table only policy, Hand sanitizers outside toilet to be used before and after but you are not escorted by staff.
- beer gardens and outdoor dining at full capacity, indoor restaurants have less tables - 1,5 meters left between them. No need to book unless it's a restaurant where you always book,
- usual tourist spots busy but not as crowded as normally - it's great time for city breaks,
- more checks at the airport than in Dublin (temperature is measured when entering the terminal), no distancing when boarding the aircraft.
- overall flying experience - great, everything smooth and fast, on time flights, no waiting for luggage etc.
- I would describe atmosphere as we know c19 is here but life goes on and we have to live with that.

Arrival back was a little shocking, yellow poster every 5 meters, and 15 mins walk to emigration constantly listening to messages that arrival form has to be filled in.

ShineOn7 · 24-08-2020 10:23pm

kelso00 wrote: »

I spent number of weeks in another EU country with similar number of cases per 100k ppl recently.

Great report

Can you say where?

KevinK · 25-08-2020 9:31am

Dubrovnik is the nicest part of Crete in fairness.

ShineOn7 · 31-08-2020 8:28am

Keep the reviews and reports coming guys

It's great to see people pushing through the fear and traveling in the EU, but still staying safe

a_squirrelman · 31-08-2020 8:33am

ShineOn7 wrote: »

For those of you who've traveled in recent months; what differences in atmosphere and attitude did you notice re: the pandemic?

I randomly watched a travel vlogger on Youtube taking a wander around a beautiful town in Croatia a few days back. Very busy streets, very little mask wearing (he was outdoors in fairness) and everyone just getting on with (and doing their best to enjoy) their lives

(Not a screenshot, just an idea of how lovely Dubrovnik in Crete looks)

I then read the reports on the Covid subforum of other countries and places (like Prague for example) and it's a similar theme to the above

And then you have Ireland; from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed you are bombarded by the media with constant Covid negativity

Yet, the countries mentioned by other posters have rising cases like Ireland too.

So something does not compute

Either:

A) The above countries (Crete, Czech Republic etc) will be savaged by April type numbers in coming weeks because of their more casual approach

Or

The Irish government (and by turns, the media) are forcing us into a constant state of unnecessary stress and fear. The government are doing it to cover their recent, very serious, missteps. And the media are doing it for clicks and $$ (although I believe certain large media outlets are just mouthpieces for the government too)

When you compare the atmosphere in Ireland to many countries in the EU, it's all a bit strange to be honest

Recent foreign travelers; what differences in atmosphere did you notice re: Covid versus Ireland?

In fairness, the Czechs shut their borders and had mask wearing from mid-March, hence why they are in a better place now and have reopened.

31-08-2020 9:05am

KevinK wrote: »

Dubrovnik is the nicest part of Crete in fairness.

goingnowhere · 31-08-2020 9:16am

I've been to both a green list and non green list country, both of whom at the time had numbers broadly similar to Ireland (both have risen since but are significantly less than our current status). I complied fully with 14 day rule on return.

EU
Mask wearing on public transport, very angry looks at any anyone not wearing a mask which resulted in compliance
Masks indoors unless seated to eat
Life goes on
Minimal posters
But compliance was getting a bit soft, people become complacent and the climbing numbers since tell a story
Medical setup at airport (big tent outside)
No entry to airport unless travelling
Strict entry rules if you ain't on the list of ok countries you won't be allowed in

Irish side
Project fear
Dublin airport is a total joke, it has more hand sanitising station than passengers
No sign of anyone in the arrivals hall from the HSE/DoH
No questioning or challenge at passport control to verify movements
No controls on terminal entry, anyone can walk in
No travel restrictions anyone from anywhere can fly in
No medical service, check on entry/exit
Contact tracing form is a joke as its trivial to hack the system, Fly Non Green To Green To IE, no one asks where you have been in the last 14 days...
No follow up on the contract tracing form (no on called me or any of my colleagues who have travelled)

In summary we have done a lot of good things in Ireland and we are right to stick with the program of restrictions but we need to tweak the setup. Immediate ban on entry to any non EEA resident from outside EEA area unless they have a clear COVID test in last 48 hours. We are not closed for business we are open if you want to play by the rules, thats a lot cheaper than 14 days in 'restrict your movements'

un5byh7sqpd2x0 · 31-08-2020 9:19am

ShineOn7 wrote: »

(Not a screenshot, just an idea of how lovely Dubrovnik in Crete looks)

Anyone who has ever been to Crete knows that that is ultra quiet for Dubrovnik. Normally you can’t move for cruise ship passengers on that street.

31-08-2020 9:22am

goingnowhere wrote: »

Immediate ban on entry to any non EEA resident from outside EEA area unless they have a clear COVID test in last 48 hours.

Same rules for everyone, or none at all.

31-08-2020 9:23am

Anyone that has been to Croatia wouldn't understand!!

goingnowhere · 31-08-2020 9:35am

bubblypop wrote: »

Same rules for everyone, or none at all.

You cannot refuse permission to a citizen to come home, throw in 14 day or get a test. Thats how Hungary plays the game.

Uriel. · 31-08-2020 9:52am

I found flying to be a much better experience.
Dublin Airport was quiet, queues nonexistent for security and security were much more helpful and nicer than normal

Plane was grand. Wearing a mask for 4 hours is a bit annoying but grand. Disembarking was great. Much more controlled as it is done row by row, with people staying in their seats until called. A few idiots of course who can't or won't listen to instruction. Got tested in arriving airport. Bit of a queue but we were last flight arriving that night - wouldn't like to be arriving with 4 or 5 other planes during peak times... Queue would be problematic.

Where I am appears chilled. Most restaurants are in outdoor season mode. Tables and chairs mostly socially distanced. All staff wearing masks... Most wearing them correctly. Shops have all staff wearing masks and most enforce customers wearing them. Sanitiser at front door of most shops.

Almost all "pubs" here serve food anyway. I think the attitude here is drink with food rather than food with drink so a different culture to Ireland. As far as I can see everyone that is out is having food and drink, either a meal or tapas.

Much busier out and about in restaurants, shops etc. Than in Ireland. People quite relaxed. Less covid signage, but you can't escape the covid message. Most big shops play a regular audio recording explaining the need to socially distant and wear masks. Beaches are busy enough and people seem, for the most part to be sensible in where they locate as against other people. While being more chilled out than Ireland I also get a sense that people are also quietly more responsible.

Medical services appear to be running mostly as normal from what I can tell. All patients in waiting rooms wear masks but no standing out doors to wait. Appointments run on time it also seems, something Irish healthcare could learn from.

31-08-2020 11:04am

of course you can't, I don't believe you should blanket ban non eea persons either.

ShineOn7 · 01-09-2020 2:37am

Uriel. wrote: »

Much busier out and about in restaurants, shops etc. Than in Ireland. People quite relaxed. Less covid signage, but you can't escape the covid message. Most big shops play a regular audio recording explaining the need to socially distant and wear masks. Beaches are busy enough and people seem, for the most part to be sensible in where they locate as against other people. While being more chilled out than Ireland I also get a sense that people are also quietly more responsible.

Where?

acquiescefc · 01-09-2020 4:07pm

T2 morning rush hour

edit: There was meant to be a pic here but it didnt upload..lol

goingnowhere · 01-09-2020 4:31pm

Hungary has shut its borders to non citizens as of today, so no going there.

Uriel. · 01-09-2020 5:29pm

ShineOn7 wrote: »

Where?

Mainland Greece

Spanish Eyes · 01-09-2020 5:35pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

Hungary has shut its borders to non citizens as of today, so no going there.

Well that's Cagliari gone for me

SB71 · 03-09-2020 10:39am

I'm back from a lovely badly needed break in Italy ,nowhere near the same level of negativity or scaremongering there as there is here, they do take it seriously though masks are mandatory indoors except when eating or drinking (or your own home obviously) but everything is open as normal and people keeping their distance, weather was fabalous, lying by the pool with a cold beer just chilling out i highly recommend anyone considering going to go now while you get the chance you wont regret it.;)

ShineOn7 · 20-10-2020 3:57pm

This thread, for obvious reasons, will be quieter now then in August

But would love your insights if you've wandered abroad recently

stargazer 68 · 20-10-2020 8:16pm

Back from Crete recently and it was fab. Echo SB71 post to be honest. Masks in shops but that's it. Weather was outstanding. Bars and restaurants open and plenty of tourists, mostly German. Delighted we went in the end!

bigar · 20-10-2020 8:25pm

Since the middle of August I have been in Slovakia, Czech, Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and The Netherlands. All really deal the same with it as here: keep your distance and wear a mask. As I was on a road trips in these travels, I did not really mingle too much with the locals.

What I did notice is that there is much more of a social control over being responsible. I was spoken to a few times by others to keep a distance and wear my mask. This is something completely missing here.

Thelonious Monk · 20-10-2020 8:30pm

spent a fair bit of time in Spain since Covid. Everything open by the time I got there, didn't seem to be as big of a deal as it is in Ireland. They have an excellent health service though so they're not as worried about it as we are. I think Madrid might be a bit effed now but where my folks are isn't densely populated and we were able to go for drinks or food whenever we wanted and it's still the same right now.

ShineOn7 · 20-10-2020 8:37pm

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

where my folks are isn't densely populated and we were able to go for drinks or food whenever we wanted and it's still the same right now.

Where are your parents there if you don't mind saying?

Thelonious Monk · 20-10-2020 9:07pm

ShineOn7 wrote: »

Where are your parents there if you don't mind saying?

Communidad de Valencia, South of Alicante, north of Cartagena. Nice weather most of the year round!

The Buster · 27-10-2020 7:21am

Anyone been to Canaries lately. Some great value for mid November. It’s is always quite then but I’m guessing it will be absolutely dead.
I note the curfew introduced in Spain doesn’t apply to canaries but doesn’t bother me either way. I’m thinking of going for 2 weeks and might go for half board option even though I never like been tied to dinner in hotel.

ShineOn7 · 27-10-2020 7:27pm

The Buster wrote: »

Anyone been to Canaries lately. Some great value for mid November. It’s is always quite then but I’m guessing it will be absolutely dead.
I note the curfew introduced in Spain doesn’t apply to canaries but doesn’t bother me either way. I’m thinking of going for 2 weeks and might go for half board option even though I never like been tied to dinner in hotel.

The Canaries now require a clean Covid test no less than 72 hours before you land

A private test will set you back circa 180 euros

Tenzor07 · 28-10-2020 12:39am

ShineOn7 wrote: »

The Canaries now require a clean Covid test no less than 72 hours before you land

It’s not law yet, so you don’t need a test done before you arrive.

However that’s expected to change in the next two weeks.

SB71 · 28-10-2020 12:07pm

anyone know the situation with the Costa Del Sol?do you need to take a test if you were to travel there?

jaysus id love to get out of this misery until xmas time.

Recent foreign travellers; what differences in atmosphere did you notice re: Covid?

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