When will we be allowed into another country to see our grandchildren?

I’m so lucky that the Dutch government has a special exemption for grandparents of newborn grandchildren. We are fully jabbed, got fully tested, got copies of birth certs and filled in all the forms needed- and got to meet our first grandchild a fortnight ago. It was such a sensible approach

"reikinana" I agree a lot of money has been made all around the world by and for good and bad reasons. Thats the way of the world I'm afraid people are very quick to take advantage. I'm lucky in that my grandchildren are all in this country but I can feel for you all. Although I don't get to see two of them much as one is working away and the other is too busy to visit me.

Another one here with a son and his family in South Australia. He has been there almost 9 years and we managed to see each other once a year. It’s been over 20 months now and we think it is unlikely we’ll see him this year. Australia has tight border control, limited flights and there are still over 30,000 Australians waiting to go home. He is still waiting for his first jab at 42. I’m expecting my grandson to be taller than me by the time I see him again.

I heard on the radio that Canada and USA are opening the border on Aug 9th. I, too am waiting for Thise living in USA to be able to visit their families in England. I have dual citizenship and am living in USA (who handled the pandemic crazily) and am anxious to come be with my British family

I have accessed the USA from the UK to visit my family by going to Mexico for 2 weeks first. Once you have been out of the UK for 14 full days you can fly into the USA on day 15. I was tired of waiting for the UK/US restrictions to be lifted so found this alternative (legal) route. I am now finally reunited with my daughter and granddaughter in Florida.

I haven’t seen my son and his family in the US for over two years. In that time, they’ve moved house to another state so I can’t even visualise where they live now.

Picturebookwriter

Like many, I’ve been prevented from visiting my grandchildren since March 2020 because they live in another country that I am refused entry to (In my case UK and USA). I have patiently and sadly accepted these circumstances, but am growing increasingly upset for my grandchildren, who ask when I can go and see them, and for myself. A year and a half is a huge proportion of their young lives. With no end in sight, isn’t it time we petition governments to put double-vaccinated grandparents on the exemptions list - along with businessmen, sports people and celebrities?

its not up to this gov't, its up to the USA

There are lots of families who are split due to work in distant countries or simply wanting to live in another part of the world. Many families can't visit loved ones for financial reasons never mind Covid and these were in place long before the flight restrictions. Lots of people just have to make do with social media and photos of their loved ones growing up. Count yourself lucky that you have been able to visit the USA and see grandchildren. Surely protecting their health is more important than a short visit.

Australia and New Zealand may grant exemptions for someone to come back to the UK for the funeral of a close relative or may let an expat Australian into Australia to visit a dying relative or for a funeral.

However, it is getting back either way which is the problem as flights are few and going back t NZ or Australia means booking a quarantine hotel for which there is a waiting list and co-ordinating a flight with that.
Unless someone is not working or can work remotely from anywhere it is not easy as this could take weeks to arrange.

I’m waiting for NZ to open up. I heard from my daughter who lives there that they are finally starting vaccinations. I just don’t know how long I’ll have to wait until I can see them all in person. Cost may also be an issue as there’s no way I could afford to quarantine for 2 weeks plus the flights. It’s very difficult for all of us not knowing when we will be able to meet again.

I haven’t seen my three gorgeous GC since August 2019. They live in Australia which has no intention of letting anyone into the country until at least next year and that was before their current new wave of the virus.
It makes me very sad but I just try not to think about it if I can and concentrate on the two beautiful GDs I have here and can see.

Karen888 did you have any problems organising insurance for yourself? This is the problem my brother is having trying to be reunited with his wife, getting insurance that is guaranteed to cover him.

Same here my children and grandchildren live in Australia. FaceTime has helped but hardly the same as spending blissful weeks with them. Sadly like for so many on here, age and ailments will soon put a stop to such long haul journeys.

I, ve not seen my DD and family since July 2019. We have managed by Facetiming but it is not the same. It looks as if one grandchild will be a teenager by the time I see them they were playing with dolls when I did last. So many of us are in the same situation. All countries make their all rules. I console myself by saying well they are on the other side of the world, I would be really upset if they were in France or Spain so near but so far out of reach.

Same here grandchildren in USA not seen since summer 2019 and in Singapore not seen since jan 2020, see the newest twins once at 3 months old they are now nearly 2
We just have to wait, there is no other way.
I miss my adult children terribly. But don’t drone on to them as they are finding it all so hard themselves with wfh and home schooling.

My daughter and 3yr old gd live in Japan. I haven’t seen them for over 2 years now. I find I am constantly pining for my daughter and our lovely little gd is growing so fast. No idea when Japan will open its borders again. I am definitely struggling with the situation and am sad and fearful. I am thinking of all of you in similar situations and send us all courage and patience to wait this out.

My daughter and her husband and children only moved to New Zealand this May. They are doctors and had enough of the Covid situation in the NHS and the way some patients have reacted towards GPs. They have only been gone for two months but already we are missing them terribly. Like everyone else here we have no idea when we will be able to go out to see them as New Zealand’s vaccination programme is delayed due to not being able to obtain sufficient Pfizer vaccines to vaccinate their entire population. They were hoping to complete the vaccination programme by September but now it will not be completed until the end of the year. Who knows if it will even happen then, and New Zealand have said they will not open there borders until all their population is fully vaccinated. So at the moment there is absolutely no hope of seeing our daughter and grandchildren in the foreseeable future.

springishere

So when will expats be allowed into this country?

I thought we were allowed to go back to the UK if we wanted/needed to. But, like my sister in the UK, I am holding back. No need to unnecessarily pass through airports and risk people's health and possibly lives.

I will now have to check what the situation really is.

I haven’t seen my Daughter and grandson since 2019 she lives in Luxembourg. I am desperate to see them . We are all jabbed. Luxembourg have ‘their’ rules as well as we have rules. I hoped I could see her this year but as the weeks go on I think the weather will change and winter will increase cases, then maybe more lockdowns. Then of course cost of tests added on and I am getting older . I don’t have any useful answers ?

I am so so sorry for all,of you who are unable to,see your loved ones, and hope,that it will not be too much longer.

I can’t see any end to it anytime soon with regard to Australia and New Zealand. Both countries have just withdrawn from the World Rugby League Cup saying it’s too dangerous to come to Britain.

JaneJudge

where are you? I thought the UK were letting anyone in tbh

Where did you get that info?

At the moment, even people who live just across the water in Northern France have to have PCR test, double vaccination, then re book and pay day 2 and day 8 PCR tests and isolate, with the option of getting extra PCR test on day 5 for early release. So it is possible, but very complicated, and very expensive.

A friend has recently visited the UK for a special wedding- but the conditions, tests, quarantine in Hôtels both ways, etc- was massively complicated and HUGELY expensive. For 1 week with family in UK, they were away for nearly 5 weeks!

From NZ I meant to say.

Another one here waiting to be admitted to New Zealand! They have done an amazing job keeping the virus out, but seem to be dragging their heels with the vaccination programme.
We were lucky to be in NZ last year when the pandemic struck and elected to stay on rather than take a govt. rescue flight home. We stayed for 7 months and had such a lovely bonding time with our 1 year old GS. His little brother was born yesterday and we'd love to get there to see them all (not least because their wedding has been delayed twice and now scheduled for February - but that is looking very doubtful).
Thank heavens for the Internet and Skype/Facebook!