I have just about had enough of these contradictory covid19 regulations.

the Law is one thing, common sense, morality and care for others, another

And when those who are making the laws behave in accordance with common sense, morality and care for others, so will I. Until then... jog on.

Although if we take a football to church we could say its a football match so we can sing? Not sure how to swing dancing at the reception though.

Crazy times!

the Law is one thing, common sense, morality and care for others, another.

Well we are going to a wedding next week. You cant sing in church or dance at the reception, yet football crowds act like nothing is amiss! Something is VERY WRONG.

Personally I would not wish to travel with testing and quarantine, and put other people and countries at serious risk.

No one is twisting your arm to travel anywhere kali2; you should do as you see fit, within the parameters of the law at that time. Just as I, and others, will do. If you feel strongly enough that personal choice should be taken away again, you need to lobby your MP. although he'll probably be away on holiday in the Maldives at the earliest opportunity

It is not about 'bothering' me- it is a serious concern that those countries are making a choice, on economic grounds, they are likely to seriously regret later, with even worse economic consequences. Personally I would not wish to travel with testing and quarantine, and put other people and countries at serious risk.

Kali2 it is down to individual Governments to set their own entry requirements, I guess (and this is only my opinion, not verified) that UK tourists are wanted/required to keep some European resorts from going under, therefore they are happy to welcome them. An item on BBC news pointed out that UK tourists make up 80% of the visitors to Ibiza each year.

If this is bothering you maybe email your MP?

All well and good if you remain in UK. If you have to travel, for whatever reasons- then it is a different kettle of fish!

And my point was, and still is- that there is absolutely no reason why people coming from much lower infection rates, including DV, have to go through the procedures and cost described above- and not UK travellers going t'other way round.

Chewbacca

Whatever kali2, it makes no odds to me now. I'll be following my own roolz from now on a and will leave others to do the same.

That is exactly what us and our family and friends have decided Chewbacca .

We shall wear our masks when required, have always been scrupulous around hand washing (pre Covid), will give strangers space, other than that it’s back to normal.

I will not let ANY Government dictate who I can hug or invite into MY home ever again!

Whatever kali2, it makes no odds to me now. I'll be following my own roolz from now on a and will leave others to do the same.

My point being that it would be very difficult to ignore the rules. The tests have to be pre-paid and pre-booked and the results sent to Track and Trace - and whether you fly or drive all your forms are checked, locator form, residence permits, booked tests info including providor- and daily phone calls, with a warning that personal visits are possible, and a fine of £10000 per person in case of rules broken. So if that person did this, then they truly need their heads looking at, and I personally would have had no hesitation in giving them a piece of my mind.

From France, but it is irrelevant- as it is the same rules for all amber countries, eg most countries in Europe- and for my neighbour, USA.

Quite agree with you kali2 but my acquaintance very probably didn't follow any of those guidelines; she's one of those people who likes to pontificate to others what they should be doing, whilst doing precisely what she likes and then justifying it as "essential". But, to be honest, I'm at the same stage now myself. If international sports teams, politicians and z list slebs can ignore "guidelines" with impunity and a clear conscience, whilst we can't watch our GC in the school's egg and spoon race, why we should believe a damned thing they tell us?

Incidentally, you didn't mention which European country your acquaintance was from?

My next door's neighbour's wife came home from the USA yesterday, and she is now on day 2 of isolation and had her day 2 PCR test today. She can isolate with her husband, just as the people you mention could have isolated with their family- until released by their 2nd PCR test on day 5, if they opted to pay the extra approx. £150 each for day 5 test.

So possibly they did go through the process, and got day 5 early release PCR neg test- and then could travel the country.
They would have had to do PCR test before return and isolate again on return. FACT, not hearsay.

Most European countries, including Switzerland. On amber list. That means that currently they have to have PCR test before departure, and then PCR tests on day 2 and day 8- and quarantine for 10 days. With the option of having extra test on day 5 and be released early if negative. And with telephone calls every day from Track and Trace- and with a locator form sent to official site with very full details given, name, DOB, passport number, results of PCR tests, and address where they will be isolating.

So if those people did not follow this- they were breaking the Law, big time. Not sure how they could have got away with it- tbh, and were risking £10000 fine too.

Maybee, you can buy a smartphone online, but you would need to know which one you would like. Probably your son/daughter would set it up for you. Really you just need a new SIM card to put in, also available online. I was very nervous about getting a smartphone some years ago but once I got one I found it to be easy to use.

Which country?

Switzerland Kali2. Which country were the people you heard about travelling from?

For Track and Trace, any mobile will do.

The above is not hearsay, but the reality for most Europeans wanting to visit the UK currently. My best friend is on day 4 of quarantine right now.

As Uk's rate and increase of Delta variant is much higher than the rest of Europe- I do not think that is is fair and correct that UK residents can travel to Balearics, Malta, and many others, with doing the same. Not as 'retaliation' but to keep their people safe.

I don’t have a proper mobile phone. The one I have is an ancient Nokia used for emergencies only. I was going to get a smart phone prior to the pandemic but didn’t want to go to a shop to buy one and wouldn’t be able to set one up if I bought it online. It doesn’t really matter at the moment because I don’t actually go anywhere but I will have to venture out at some point. Not sure what to do moving forward.

With a warning with each call from Track and Trace that breaking rules and quarantine would result in £10000 fine.

Kalu

Chewbacca

I know of someone, who lives in another European country, who very recently came to the UK for a holiday and to see family for the first time since lockdown #1. They travelled around the UK, visiting places of interest in COVID high risk areas and then flew back to their home country. It works both ways doesn't it?

Yes, it does work both ways. I was told recently of someone coming from another European country coming to the UK to meet up with family members here.

Which country? Most European countries are on amber list. That means that currently they have to have PCR test before departure, and then PCR tests on day 2 and day 8- and quarantine for 10 days. With the option of having extra test on day 5 and be released early if negative. And with telephone calls every day from Track and Trace- and with a locator form sent to official site with very full details given, name, DOB, passport number, results of PCR tests, and address where they will be isolating.

So they can visit, but it is very complicated and very expensive.

Greta

I think the government is afraid of football/Ascot or rather what people would do if these events were cancelled. Restricting weddings, funerals etc is a much safer bet.

They also have shares in the horses, which is why Cheltenham 2020 was allowed to proceed and the first lockdown was too late to be effective!!

Forecasts for 2021 show that the number of overseas visits to the UK is expected to rise to 11.3 million, a 10 percent increase on 2020 visits, but still a significant drop over 2019.
Statista

They can't all be politicians and sporting VIPs

Chewbacca

I know of someone, who lives in another European country, who very recently came to the UK for a holiday and to see family for the first time since lockdown #1. They travelled around the UK, visiting places of interest in COVID high risk areas and then flew back to their home country. It works both ways doesn't it?

There's definitely one ex pat on our radar who did just that.

Chewbacca

I know of someone, who lives in another European country, who very recently came to the UK for a holiday and to see family for the first time since lockdown #1. They travelled around the UK, visiting places of interest in COVID high risk areas and then flew back to their home country. It works both ways doesn't it?

Yes, it does work both ways. I was told recently of someone coming from another European country coming to the UK to meet up with family members here.