Quarantine reintroduced for those returning from Spain

Iam64 I understand from my Greek friend who lives in Athens that there is some bad feeling towards tourists who are bringing infection with them.

Greece has done well so far, and she says she accepts they need the money from tourism but they are not happy about the British visiting as we have such a high infection and death rate.

maddyone - indeed we should have closed our borders at the start of all this. When I first heard of the virus in China I thought we would be fine as we are an island and we will simply close our borders. It was beyond credence that we did not do so. So many unnecessary deaths. Just wicked.

Interesting point re: closing borders. Italy was amongst the first to implement this yet still had a large death rate

I can't remember the dates of Italy's border closures. Did they leave it too late? Even a week can make a huge difference. I seem to remember it was mainly around the ski resorts in the north.

When the hotspots in Italy were first revealed, pupils from my local school were on a ski trip. They came back through the most infected area. It wasn't until they were home that they (and their parents) realised the situation. They had never been warned, stopped or tested anywhere. A number of parents immediately kept their children away from school as a precaution.

Japan didn’t close borders, do much testing or have a lockdown and have less than 1000 dead - go figure!

I have friends that live in Corfu,if you catch the virus your shipped of to mainland Greece to a very basic hospital! All Greek islands would be the same.UK for us this year rain or shine?☀️

Kids from my grand-daughter's international private school came back after half-term from all over the world, including USA, India, China, as well as all over Europe. No checks, no warnings, no testing- nothing.

Professor Chris Whitty was spot on, ‘doing nothing is not an option’ - I fully support this decision, based on scientific knowledge - good man, you've saved lives here.

Apparently, the decision to quarantine people returning from Spain was prompted by 10 people who tested positive after return. Goodness knows how many people they've already infected.

I keep an eye on the figures for my local authority and they've been slowly creeping up for about two weeks. We don't have anywhere where it could spread like it did in Leicester or on the Herefordshire farm, but the rise has been consistent. Something needs to be done to get this under control. Putting holidaymakers in quarantine is a good step.

my biggest nightmare would be a self-catering place in Wales with the rain lashing down and having to cook

I'm laughing ??? - that's home.
Actually it's been sunny today and due to get hotter.

Ps but it's not in Barry
( I will say no more about Barry).

Actually, I agree with the rest of your post. It's possible to stay in a really good all-inclusive hotel and to visit local historic sites, take trips to see the beautiful scenery etc. The two are not mutually exclusive.
We've not done it often but it's interesting to meet other people which is not always possible in self-catering accommodation. Some just like to lie beside the pool, relaxing and that's their choice too.

Those posts were to GillT57

Tourists are randomly tested on arrival in Greece. So far the Greek authorities are have no concerns about the very low level of people from the Uk who test positive.
I appreciate the argument for people to stay put in their home countries. I don't understand why people flying into Heathrow and other airports from Covid hotspots aren't automatically tested. those on long haul flights from countries with a high incidence can surely afford the £100 it would cost to test them at the airport.
If I can afford to fly to Greece, which fortunately I can, I'd be happy to pay £100, to be tested on arrival or wherever requested.

Oh I love Barry island . My son lived in st Athans We were always lucky with the weather, the beach is lovely as are the views. Lots of great little pubs near by., such happy happy memories of being in charge of five little grandchildren sitting on the sand with a book while they played. The locals were really nice, playing crazy golf, eating fish and chips. I’d have happily moved to live there but my son was posted. I too visit a little village on mainland Greece once a year Iam64 we booked and paid in June 2019 because September is very popular so you need to book early. I’d really like to go and from what I can gather they would welcome us. The locals have given us such a warm welcome for over a decade and honestly I’ve asked and they’d really welcome us once again. To be fair the area mostly attracts the middle aged so there’s no nightclubs, the tavernas are independent and people mostly sit outside. Will I go ....I’m not sure. If I do I’m determined to spend more than I would normally would to support the wonderful locals. I often think I may have been Greek or welsh in another life. If the holiday company cancelled my holiday to Greece and gave me a refund Barry island here I come.

Sorry delayed reply. We’re in Cornwall now-have said this in other post-drove down, 3 wee breaks, everyone masked and distanced. Now in mobile home not used since last season, aired and thoroughly cleaned before our arrival. Been to enormous NT grounds and big beaches, click and collect supermarket shop.
To answer question about vented face masks should we be able to fly to Menorca-the masks are the ones our SIL uses in his job as consultant anaesthetist in Intensive Care caring for Covid patients-if he thinks they’re good enough so do we! Although it does look like we won’t be going at the mo.

Morethan2 - I wonder if we go to the same village? The facebook group I'm in for that village is full of positive comments about visitor and locals abiding by masks, distance etc. The village depends on tourism, as do the farmers, tomato growers etc. I begin to think it's the least I can do....to support them.
I read this morning though that Mr Johnson fears a spike in two weeks time. There's a surprise, coming as so many predicted after he opened everything up before for example, saying masks were essential.
Maybe the flights will be cancelled and I'll keep calm and carry on with long local walks at quiet times. I'm very lucky to live near a city but on the edge of open countryside.

gagajo
Weather getting better, hope your friends are still having a lovely time.

We go to Stoupa on the Peloponnese Iam I live in Kent so lots of lovely countryside and not far from the coast. So I won’t complain too hard if our holiday is cancelled. Though with one thing and another we haven’t been any further than Folkestone this year. Nice walks along the Lee’s to get the sea air and blow away the gloom

Belgium, Luxembourg, and Croatia are the latest possibilities for imposing quarantine after visiting.

Stoupa is a lovely place morethan2, like you I love it. The Peloponnese is beautiful isn't it. You're lucky to live in a beautiful part of England. We're in the north west. Yesterday was cold, wet and windy. The idea of being somewhere warm where I could walk without being covered from head to toe in waterproofs, and even better could pop into the sea at the end of the walk began to appeal.

And despite people saying that there are plenty of beautiful places to visit in Britain, which is absolutely true, nonetheless many people like to holiday where the weather is more reliable. And warm. I don’t blame them. Being on holiday when it’s wet, windy, and rain is lashing down sounds like a punishment, not a holiday. I loved Iceland, it was bitterly cold, but the sun shone brightly. However we went for a short four day break, not a summer holiday. I guess that’s why so many rushed off to Spain, and of course Spain is cheap compared to similar accommodation in the UK.

Maddyone is correct about the weather and the financial cost. I had a week in a four star all inclusive, with children’s play centre and pool last year. Me, their mum, 8momth old, 3 year old. We went to Menorca, beautiful island, decent hotel and food. Great time with no cooking or cleaning needed, we just focussed on the children and the odd street market. The cost was less than the hire of self catering on the coast here. The flight was 2 1/2 hours.
I’d never done that kind of holiday but had a great time and given the chance, would do it again.

We have accommodation booked in a remote part of France at the beginning of September. Watching the updates and wondering, but fingers crossed we will make it! Not so worried about quarantine on the way back if we have to, could live with that.

Good to know we aren't alone B9 exchange