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

You friends and relatives may not be representatives of the way many feel about going on holiday. Mine are the same, very happy to stay home this Summer, and stay safe.

I was personally quite shocked reading comments on one of our local Press site yesterday.

There may be many complaints in the media but many does not represent the whole of the British population, just as many threads about it on GN is scarcely representative of what generally older people think about the situation.

I'm not sure where you are in the UK Kali but views in your local area may not be representative of the whole of the UK.

I am definitely gradually moving over to the #I’mdone camp.

I think many people are feeling exactly the same way now. Too many instances of "what's allowable/safe for one group of people but definitely not safe/illegal for another group of people". I'm done now and, apart from wearing a mask until told we don't have to, and following hygiene guidance, I'm going to do what I think is right for me.

Of course- and it depends on age groups too, and all sorts of other factors. Fact is, people are very split on this issue of being allowed to go on holiday- as they are on many things.

You friends and relatives may not be representatives of the way many feel about going on holiday. Mine are the same, very happy to stay home this Summer, and stay safe.

That’s your proof,Kali that the majority of we Brits are not demanding holidays abroad this year. My family and friends are also happy to stay at home. I would worry if I was hearing the complaints you are reading on various sites from real people but I am not.

Yet again, school Sports Day has been cancelled - at a very small school, in a large field where self-distancing of parents and grandparents is perfectly possible
Yes, I agree, absolutely ridiculous Callistemon when those same parents/grandparents are dropping off and picking up in the playground everyday. You can actually have parents to watch in multiple groups of 30 anyway. So I guess in proportion the rules are not too contradictory?

Our DGS' school paid £8,000 to get sports day videoed and live streamed for the parents! Crazy, but at least the school made the effort, (and admittedly had the funds to do so).
It is possible to think outside the box.

I think the rules may be different in Wales, Ellianne but, yes, the school play has been cancelled (perhaps understandable) and so has Sports Day despite there being few cases in this area.

Then to read about different rules for sporting so-called VIPs is annoying to say the least.
Spitting feathers!

All our younger family and friends are staying in the UK to holiday this summer. The furthest anyone is going is Isles of Scilly or Jersey.
Those of us in the family living on the coast are putting up guests. Our DGD had a friend and parents to stay at half term, they loved it so much - beach, ice creams, donkeys, dogwalks, river picnics - they are back down again in August.
The return of the true British holiday! People making the most of it!

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?

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.

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.

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

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!!

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.

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

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.

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.

Which country?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!