I was shielded - should I travel?

Vickymeldrew did you get to see your daughter and new baby or are you still patiently waiting?

I'm not sure you should wait. Personally, I plan to travel with my son to Africa when the borders will be opened. I haven't been there in 10 years, I wonder what has changed there. Tired of staying at home, lockdown is crazy. I'm not afraid of traveling at all.

No I wouldn’t travel abroad

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful responses. Although I wouldn’t wish my situation on anyone else, it is so helpful to hear from people who actually understand the situation. When you’re surrounded by friends enjoying their families and still complaining they can’t touch them yet, it’s hard to smile sympathetically. Good luck to us all !

Good to see so much caution and thoughtful advice on this thread. Unfortunately there seems to be a worrying tendency for a lot of people to feel that it’s all over. It so isnt!

I know the feeling . My DD and Grandson live in Luxembourg,I would love to go and visit . She has asked me to go to Mykonos with them in August, I have said no. I am 69 , and in good health. I would need to fly to Lux and then we fly together to Mykonos from Germany and the return journey the same. 4 flights for me, recycled air in the cabin! I am not going to risk getting the virus. I don’t know when I’ll get to see them both again and it’s very upsetting. Lock down on my own has been really difficult, and I have returned to the dark place of losing my Husband suddenly two years ago from cancer ., and missing him in this very lonely time.
I pray a vaccine for this terrible virus can be found quite soon.

I wouldn’t be going on a plane in the near future definitely not!

Joesoap, also to make you aware, most airlines are only flying into London. And there are few trains. I had to rent a car and drive from Heathrow to Newcastle because there were no trains.

Thank you Merlotgran

Purplepoppies, so sorry about your Mum.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sweden/return-to-the-uk

Joesoap, Have a look at the Foreign Office travel advice for Sweden. There's a section you can click on which covers returning to the UK.

Maremia, I am coming from Sweden, to Cumbria, not too sure how we are classed really because of the no lock down here.If I get a flight to Manchester there is a direct train to Cumbria.What are my chances do you think?

No, I think travelling, particularly negotiating airports and flying, is a very high risk activity. Hubby and I certainly wouldn’t consider it.

Joesoap, it might depend on where in the UK you want to be. Infection rates are probably different in each zone, not that they are telling us any more at daily briefings. From newspaper sources, the city of Leicester seems about to go back into lockdown. You don't need to be specific, but are you coming from a country with a lower risk than the UK?

vickymeldrew, if you are shielding then it's for a reason. Medics, looking at your case history, have calculated that you are one of the Public unlikely to survive Covid 19. The UK Government, not the SAGE scientists, now advises you to use your 'common sense', which is code for 'if you go out and catch Corona, it's your own fault'. Stay safe, it will pass.

I am in a dilemma,I had to leave our house in the UK very hastily in March and I really miss it and hope it is all right,my neighbour looks after it for me, but I really want to get there, I could now travel as some airlines have started to fly again, but there woold be two weekls quarantine first, which wouldnt matter really, but I would want two more weeks to do what I need to do, I am patiently waitng for Boris to ease the quarantine a bit, but how safe would it be to travel in the UK? to my home on public transport.We havent had lock down, just restrictions, its a problem.We booked our return to the UK in January and hoping our airline will not cancel that trip, but I would LOVE to visit sooner than mid September.Has anyone got good advice please Gransnetters

You got off lightly GaGaJo. I travelled Sleazyjet last week. They are not blocking alternate seats. Luckily the flight wasn't busy.
I had no choice btw, it wasn't a holiday, I was attending my mum's funeral ?

well i would leave it till a few weeks time .get all the info you can on health safety... have you asked your family what they think .if you been shielding i would be very wary of travelling abroad.. every time i been out i get a hacking cough.(only lasts a few days then goes) even though i am wear a face shield. i would give it another month at least...

I, like many grans on here, will understand how much you want to see them BUT shielding doesn't officially end until August 1st (as long as there is no second spike in the meantime). Flying is very risky in the recirculated cabin air and you could either carry something to your family or be ill yourself and take up valuable health resources in either country. Shielding takes courage and is not just about your health but that of all around you. You have stuck to it until now - in many ways nothing has changed. Don't risk it.

Bet you wish you never asked Vicky!

I also am classed as extreme vulnerable and had a letter last week stating what I can and can’t do. We were going to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary in early August, with a family party, but have decided to cancel . Not worth the risk especially if we couldn’t get out in the garden and we’re all cooped up in the house.
Can always try again next year.

It would take a lot to get me on a plane at the moment (but I think that's more me being neurotic than being scientific)

I have not been shielding but am vulnerable because I am old - its hard to foresee what will happen, but I think it likely that I"ll never fly again. Too risky. And I'm dismayed to learn that even if there is a vaccine (and along with everyone else, I much hope there will be) older people will probably get very limited protection due to our weaker immune systems. So Mr Apple and I are thinking we will do home swaps which we've done in the past and had great holidays - free! A home has only to be deep cleaned once and there are no staff or guests coming and going as in a hotel. And we will do swaps in the UK, so we can avoid public transport. We use www.guardianhomeexchange.co.uk and there are lots of great swaps available in this country and all over the world. But it may be harder to arrange a swap right now as lots of other people will probably have the same idea!

vickymeldrew

Due to previous medical history I have been officially ‘shielding”. My DD lives in France with her DH and two young children aged 5&3. She is also 7 months pregnant.
In common with all other grans, I am bursting to see this little family again and every month that goes by seems such a waste of precious time. Normally, I visit every couple of months.
Should I brave Easyjet? Should I go on the Eurostar? Should I stay home and be safe? Should I wait for a vaccine?

In answer to OP’s 4 questions.

No
No
Yes
There may be a very long wait,