Fancy A Holiday?

[diddlydo]

In case anyone is thinking that they can just nip abroad after 17th May - they might want to look at the government list of "green" countries and compare them with the entry requirements for the intended destination as, from an article in the Times today, none of the green list countries will accept British nationals on a holiday jaunt!

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england

Another joke concession from this so-called government.

[naomi24]

I wouldn’t even think about going abroad until things are back to normal. I couldn’t be bothered.

As for the government’s guidelines, what’s the problem? When the countries on the list are ready to accept tourists they’ll let us know and we’ll know we’re able to go. As it is it’s just something else for Diddley to make a fuss over nothing about.

[murraymints]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to holiday overseas in the current climate

[bobbinwales]

Agree 100% naomi. Am not planning on going this year but will at some stage in future- but unless someone makes the first move no-one will ever go on holiday again.

[New Judge]

The problem the government has created with this ridiculous “Traffic Light” system is that in trying to be seen as “the good guys” it has presented considerable difficulties for many travellers. I made a booking for my upcoming holiday in January 2020 – well before this nonsense took flight. I’m now faced with a choice – I can take a holiday under the most inconvenient circumstances (tests, quarantine, etc.) or, leaving aside the possibility that I might “be ill”, I cancel and lose my cash. Grant Shapps said yesterday, of “Amber” destinations: “you should not be travelling to these places right now". Fine, then (leaving aside the question “why not?”) arrange for the Foreign Office to advise against non-essential travel, I won’t go and I’ll be entitled to a refund. But no, they have desisted making that advice and instead leave people to choose between travelling under ridiculous conditions or to pay for a holiday they don’t have.

If they don’t want people to travel to these countries put them on the Red List and have done with. They have had no compunction imposing the most Draconian restrictions over the past fourteen months so it should be no problem.

[THECORBYLOON]

If you follow the conditions set by the Government in England, you can travel.

If you choose not to follow them and there are consequences, that's up to you.

[New Judge]

But I booked my trip before there were any restrictions. I now find myself subject to conditions which were not prevalent - or even reasonably foreseeable when I booked.

But apart from my problems, if we "should not be travelling to these places right now", why is the government allowing it?

[teacake44]

NJ @ 20.19 the government have not created a problem, they've solved one, in favor of the travel companies. ie making it as difficult as possible for you to travel, hence you cancel. The travel company keep your money, in turn helps them to survive.

[diddlydo]

I'm not intending to go abroad myself - that isn't the point of this post. The fact is that the government has given the green light for Brits to go to certain countries who won't accept Brits. In return we have to accept travellers from those very same countries who want to come here to see the sights when infection levels in their countries are not insignificant (leaving aside any unlikely holiday makers from far flung islands!)

[New Judge]

Absolutely correct, tc. The problem is that I am probably quite unusual in that I already have a booking. The money they may make from people like me is miniscule. The travel industry needs people to book for this summer and few people will do that under the current restrictions.

[roslyn251254]

New Judge ...who is your holiday booked with? Most companies will allow you to change it without incurring any fees. We had several holidays booked with Tui which we have now changed for a different date ( one exactly the same holiday has now been changed twice from May 2020 to May 2021 and now to May 2022.....the other should have been June 2020 Spain ... now changed to Egypt Feb 2021...)

[bobbinwales]

Newjudge like diddlydo your complaining as your frustrated but you have no solution. Its a pandemic. If your allowed to travel and your desperate to go then accept the consequences and go and be grateful. Yes some countrys wont accept us Brits ( or many others) but dont blame UK goverment for that. The green light is a starting point and should give hope to travel industry and travelers and hopefully encourage other countrys to review things but if your whingeing about it just ignore it and pretend its red.

[emmie]

its not a so called government, they are trying to do the right thing by the people of this country, by dint of the excellent roll out of the vaccine for many. And to save the travel industry from completely going to the wall. If Australia is not accepting anyone then that's up to them, according to an Australian friend the place is a basket case, she at 92 still has not had a vaccine. that applies to many apparently.
she hasn't seen her daughter because she lives the other side of Oz and the restrictions are severe. No hope of going to Australia any time soon it would seem.

[youngmafbog]

Much as I like to moan about Johnson I'm not sure one can blame him for what other countries are doing or saying.

He has given a list like others will. Where there are common countries then fine. BUT, remember these countries can change in a heartbeat and there is nothing Boris can do about it. You travel at your own peril at the moment.

[naomi24]

What are the moaners who seem to allow no leeway anywhere seeking in these unprecedented times? If it's perfection it's not going to happen anywhere so best you grow up, acknowledge reality, and accept that these are unprecedented times.

[teacake44]

^I don't think anyone is that daft to expect perfection, but when a government tell people that having the vaccination is the road to freedom, and its not, that's daft. Besides this is more or less to do with the countries that are on amber, ie (you should not really visit,) leaving the pre-paid holiday in limbo land, if you should not really visit, then turn it to red so the pre-paid customer can claim their money back.

[New Judge]

//Newjudge like diddlydo your complaining as your frustrated but you have no solution.//

The solution I have is for the government either to allow me to travel to a place (where, incidentally, the infection rates are even lower then where I live – and that’s very low) unhindered or tell me I cannot travel. I stand more chance of contracting Covid in my local Tesco’s than in my chosen holiday destination. And I stand very little chance of catching it there. I might as well be ordered to test and quarantine when I come back from the barbers as the risks there are probably greater than going on holiday.

Yes thanks, Roslyn. I have explored all the options and I have choices which will not see me out of pocket. I’m simply frustrated at the pig’s ear this government is making of relaxing restrictions and the way the “Green List” is treating people like idiots. To tell people they can travel to the South Sandwich islands as if it is a great relaxation of the rules is simply crass.

//Besides this is more or less to do with the countries that are on amber, ie (you should not really visit,) leaving the pre-paid holiday in limbo land, if you should not really visit, then turn it to red so the pre-paid customer can claim their money back.//

Exactly, tc. I'm not going to be out of pocket but, fortunately for me (though others are not so fortunate) I don't have to worry about money.

[calmck]

The Algarve. We are out of lockdown and vaccinating over sixties. Restrictions still in place for numbers eating inside and out. Bars still closing earlier. Masks are mandatory for shops, petrol stations in fact all indoor areas. Strictly enforced and doctor note for exemptions!
Golf courses and gyms open. Not sure but at the moment entry to the country somewhat restricted

[ladybirder]

Yorkshire Dales will do me.

[teacake44]

^^ I'm parked up waiting to go to the Dales, just waiting on a better week forecast, not to bothered about the odd shower or so when walking, but rain and COLD, no thanks, not in the Dales.