Abolishing tests for entry to U.K. not in our best interests.

Kali2

This in schools and lot of key businesses, and of course in care homes and other facilities for the disabled and those with special needs, etc.

What do you suggest is the way forward Kali2 ?

This in schools and lot of key businesses, and of course in care homes and other facilities for the disabled and those with special needs, etc.

Lateral flow tests only show positive if you have a heavy viral load. I had to stay off work mid February because the PCR said I had Covid, I did three lateral flow tests in the 10 days I was off and all of them said negative..

No, I am asking if that is what you think? Correct me if I am wrong.

On the news now, staff in hospitals off sick now up hugely, with Covid admisssions rising (250% in London since New Year).

You're just making things up Kali2. Putting words in other people's mouths. That's not helpful. Or even very nice.

So, no tests for anyone, no gel, no masks, no social distancing - and hope for the best, come whatever. That's your plan, right?

So Johnson was right all along, yes?

thank you

Algerias: Right on target, as usual! Keep posting, you help keeping me sane in a world that has sadly gone mad?

Exactly what has happened and so many airlines do not have enough staff to fly and have had to cancel so many flights. But worse is, they then go on to infect others at work, school, and everywhere else.

That’s interesting Alegrias, and in terms of the virus getting into the UK I agree that the horse has bolted so it’s too late to shut the stable door. However I think passengers should provide at least a negative lateral flow test because if a person is infected they could potentially infect an entire plane load of people plus airline staff.

I don't disagree maddyone, in fact that's what I said at 15:29. But the idea that we have to test people - especially foreigners - to stop the virus getting into the country, at this stage of the pandemic, is completely nonsensical.

Esspee

Even if they drop the requirement of tests for returning nationals they could still keep them for foreigners. After all every country I want to go to requires a negative test.

I find this hard to read, sorry. Everyone should be tested, end of.

And who is 'a foreigner' - just having a British passport does not mean you are resident in UK in the first place.

So we meet again in the middle Alegrias.

Yes you’re right Alegrias I didn’t spot that comment. However, I agree with Esspee in that passengers should have a negative test in order to travel, but I don’t think it should only be non Brits. The virus doesn’t differentiate and neither should we (or any other country for that matter.) Obviously at times we’ve had guidance in the form of the red list, in which it didn’t matter who you were, you had to quarantine after arrival here. However that’s now gone, and therefore it seems to me that a negative test before boarding a plane is the correct way to go in order to protect us all. Whatever nationality we may be.

maddyone

^Oh yes, test those foreigners.^

Alegrias, this is not about testing foreigners, it is about testing everybody who gets on the plane and might be sitting next to you. Many of those passengers will most likely be returning Brits, or outgoing Brits. I don’t think this is an issue that can be made out to be racist because it’s not. It’s about safe travel, whoever you are, and whoever your fellow travellers may be.

These are Esspee's actual words:

Even if they drop the requirement of tests for returning nationals they could still keep them for foreigners.

You can make of that what you will.

Oh yes, test those foreigners.

Alegrias, this is not about testing foreigners, it is about testing everybody who gets on the plane and might be sitting next to you. Many of those passengers will most likely be returning Brits, or outgoing Brits. I don’t think this is an issue that can be made out to be racist because it’s not. It’s about safe travel, whoever you are, and whoever your fellow travellers may be.

Alegrias1

Oh yes, test those foreigners.

The UK has one of the highest rates in the world right now.

There is no point testing people coming in because the chances are that the people on the flight are less likely to have COVID than the person behind you in the queue at Tescos.

Yes we should, as they request us to be tested. Fair yes. A sop to the travel industry and Airlines.

Esspee

If the object is to encourage us to travel to help the travel industry then making non nationals test before coming here at least reduces the number of potential covid cases on the plane.
I would be much happier if everyone on the plane had been tested.

Are you serious?

If I was flying on a plane just now I'd also be happier if everyone had been tested. Irrespective of whether they were non nationals or not

But there is no reason whatsoever to try to stop the virus coming in with those nasty foreigners because its here already and at higher levels than almost any country in the world.

Alegrias1

Blooming foreigners.

Coming over here, not being as sick as us, what a liberty....

? ? ?

Esspee

If the object is to encourage us to travel to help the travel industry then making non nationals test before coming here at least reduces the number of potential covid cases on the plane.
I would be much happier if everyone on the plane had been tested.

There was a case the other day where a lady travelling long haul tested negative beforehand boarding, began to feel unwell during the flight and tested positive (LFT) they spent the duration of the flight in the loo. (Pointless really as the air circulates all round the plane including the loos)

A test only proves you are negative/not sufficient viral load to show at the time of the test.

If the object is to encourage us to travel to help the travel industry then making non nationals test before coming here at least reduces the number of potential covid cases on the plane.
I would be much happier if everyone on the plane had been tested.

Blooming foreigners.

Coming over here, not being as sick as us, what a liberty....

Madness! All and sundry from everywhere.

Wonderful ! Expect the virus to hang about forever and ever amen !

Oh yes, test those foreigners.

The UK has one of the highest rates in the world right now.

There is no point testing people coming in because the chances are that the people on the flight are less likely to have COVID than the person behind you in the queue at Tescos.