Summer Holidays 2021

[dmahon]

Pete102 said:

Any questions, feel free to ask as I keep a pretty close eye on it.

I am not doubled vaccinated but don’t mind quarantining.

France currently say you need a compelling reason to enter.

Do you know how well they police that, and do you think they would let us transit through without the compelling reason?

[Amateurish]

Phil. said:

Amateurish said:

Border force at Calais do check every single PLF and people who haven't completed them are the reason for the long delays.

The French sector of Geneva airport is currently closed.

I think the Home Office database is now linked the the PLF database because we didn’t need to show any paperwork last week returning to the UK and when offered the paperwork he said he could see all our forms on his system.

Interesting. So I guess they would still stop you at Calais if you hadn't completed the PLF.

[interstellar]

P-Jay said:

Well... I'm off to France on Wednesday morning. It's really proven to be a case of pig headedness over sense.

Frankly it's been on/off/on/off since we first booked in Dec 2019 to go in June 2020, if someone asked me today if I wanted to go Wednesday, there's no way I'd say yes, it's only the fact it's been such a battle to get here and I'm too stupid to quit, I feel like Alec Guinness "what have I done?"

So I leave home Weds at 01:30, I won't arrive until about 20:00, we were supposed to be flying to Geneva, but obviously Switzerland is still 'closed' there was a healthy debate whether we could leave via the French exit, but no one could really say if you could or couldn't, the flight lands on the same runway, but depending where they park the plane, depends on whether you're in France or Switzerland. Anyway, Easyjet made it easier by cancelling the flights, you'd think you'd get a refund if THEY cancel, but no... because we used a voucher from the flights they cancelled last year, you can't...

So it's the Ferry, and an 8 hour+ drive down to the Alps. Tests before we go, tests when we're there, tests when we get home. The tests cost more than the ferry and frankly as great as Mountain Biking in the Alps is, it ain't worth £150 a day or whatever it worked out as, I'm only there 5 nights.

So I return late Monday, I hoping, without much cause to really that they review the rules to match the EU and I won't have to isolate due to my 'fully vaccinated' status, if not, I'll be in the house until Sunday morning, who knows they might even make France 'green' I guess we'll find out on Thursday... I doubt it. Ironically, if they do, we might have to wait around in Calais for a few hours so we arrive back in the UK on the 29th and not the 28th because I don't think the rules are relaxed retrospectively. Who really knows.

Some people who are traveling for the same event aren't planning to complete a PLF, supposedly 'Border Force' are only able to check 1 in 10, and if you don't they'll give you a chance to complete one before entering. I guess if you don't fill it in, they won't know you've been. Sounds like a way to get a fine to me.

Have a great trip. What race are you going for?

I am booked for a week in August in Tignes. Have ridden there before and love it but not sure we will go. There are five of us with the kids. I am not paying £1500 for tests even if it’s green!!

Edited by interstellar on Monday 21st June 22:02

[P-Jay]

interstellar said:

Have a great trip. What race are you going for?

I am booked for a week in August in Tignes. Have ridden there before and love it but not sure we will go. There are five of us with the kids. I am not paying £1500 for tests even if it’s green!!

Edited by interstellar on Monday 21st June 22:02

Thanks,

We’re riding Pass’Portes du Solie, it’s a tour more than a race. I don’t think it’s timed or anything.

Tests are a ballache… but you can save a bit. Our LFTs were £60, our Day 2&8 are £80 from the cheapest provider from the list of government approved ones that my browser didn’t block, so £140. LFTs in France are free as pharmacies and I’m told at least they comply with Border Farce’s rules. Under 11s don’t need tests (I think).

We’re merely looking at £420… for the 3 of us in August…

I hope they see sense and allow different rules for vaccinated people.

[Phil.]

Amateurish said:

Phil. said:

Amateurish said:

Border force at Calais do check every single PLF and people who haven't completed them are the reason for the long delays.

The French sector of Geneva airport is currently closed.

I think the Home Office database is now linked the the PLF database because we didn’t need to show any paperwork last week returning to the UK and when offered the paperwork he said he could see all our forms on his system.

Interesting. So I guess they would still stop you at Calais if you hadn't completed the PLF.

I entered via an airport but I expect border control have the same system whether in Calais or elsewhere. That wasn’t the case last September, but don’t ask me how I know.

[tgr]

Too right. If you’re much less likely to contract the disease you’re also less likely to infect others

[Pete102]

dmahon said:

I am not doubled vaccinated but don’t mind quarantining.

France currently say you need a compelling reason to enter.

Do you know how well they police that, and do you think they would let us transit through without the compelling reason?

Compelling reasons here:

https://ambafrance.org/IMG/pdf/indicative_list_of_...

For transit, it depends on whether you're looking to transit airside only, or transit and enter France alongside your reasons for doing so.

E.g. Transit France to drive to Spain on holiday, I wouldn't like to say either way - likely down to the discretion of the border guard.

[Amateurish]

Pete102 said:

dmahon said:

I am not doubled vaccinated but don’t mind quarantining.

France currently say you need a compelling reason to enter.

Do you know how well they police that, and do you think they would let us transit through without the compelling reason?

Compelling reasons here:

https://ambafrance.org/IMG/pdf/indicative_list_of_...

For transit, it depends on whether you're looking to transit airside only, or transit and enter France alongside your reasons for doing so.

E.g. Transit France to drive to Spain on holiday, I wouldn't like to say either way - likely down to the discretion of the border guard.

That list isn't correct. Here is the current list of compelling reasons:

https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/content/download/128...

[ooid]

One of my relatives just been fined £10,000 last week entering U.K. by his car. I think he was around east europe, and missing a few bits of PCR tests (a bit old gent). So they fined him and did not allow him in the U.K. as well. His kids arranged a hotel accommodation for him near Belgium now I think.

[Chris Stott]

From what I’ve read, the majority of fines issued under covid regulations are illegal as the laws haven’t been written properly.

[GT03ROB]

ooid said:

One of my relatives just been fined £10,000 last week entering U.K. by his car. I think he was around east europe, and missing a few bits of PCR tests (a bit old gent). So they fined him and did not allow him in the U.K. as well. His kids arranged a hotel accommodation for him near Belgium now I think.

Given the max fine for arriving with no PCR test is 500, what else did he do wrong?

[Phil.]

Chris Stott said:

From what I’ve read, the majority of fines issued under covid regulations are illegal as the laws haven’t been written properly.

I think you’re correct. This was also the case for those fined during the lockdowns for being out and about.

Before returning to the UK I had a read of the legislation around quarantine and the role of the private sector Gestapo, and their powers are very limited. As they simply cold call or turn up on your doorstep, they are unable to prove they are an ‘authorised person designated by the secretary of state’ thus there is no need to even engage with them. It’s all scaremongering by government to reduce the number of travellers.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/582/conte...

[GT03ROB]

Phil. said:

Chris Stott said:

From what I’ve read, the majority of fines issued under covid regulations are illegal as the laws haven’t been written properly.

I think you’re correct. This was also the case for those fined during the lockdowns for being out and about.

My son is in the plod & he says they don't bother much with CV fines as they don't think most would actually stand up if challenged

[Pete102]

Compliance by fear and coercion, who would have thought it…

[GreatGranny]

LeroyLoser said:

Italy have imposed a 5 day quarantine on people entering from uk as well.

Hopefully will be fine by December when everyone will be vaccinated.

[Pete102]

GreatGranny said:

Hopefully will be fine by December when everyone will be vaccinated.

Won’t be anywhere near that based on France and Switzerland, I suspect that within a month they’ll move to a two jab policy for no quarantine

[Phil.]

GreatGranny said:

Hopefully will be fine by December when everyone will be vaccinated.

Vaccinations don’t seem to change anything, cases, lockdowns, variants, travel, variant scaremongering……..

And then will come the booster ste……

[The Leaper]

Phil. said:

GreatGranny said:

Hopefully will be fine by December when everyone will be vaccinated.

Vaccinations don’t seem to change anything, cases, lockdowns, variants, travel, variant scaremongering……..

And then will come the booster ste……

So, I assume you have not had the jab then, Phil?

R

[interstellar]

Pete102 said:

Won’t be anywhere near that based on France and Switzerland, I suspect that within a month they’ll move to a two jab policy for no quarantine

This will be good news but what happens for families with kids - have they said?

We want to go to France in august but not if it’s still tests x 3 per child. It’s too expensive and not worth it.

[lemmingjames]

Probably be anyone over the age of 12 will need to be double jabbed/or all the testing requirements on return.

So they can offer travel but also limit it at the same time. Its funny seeing the various breakfast presenters, previously every life mattered but now its potentially affecting their lifestyle and have been double jabbed, we should open up asap and none makes sense

Can see it being a power struggle within government though as Hancock was once again stating summer holidays are off this morning.

Part of me is glad they are going to offer this but then pissed off that its sort of only open to certain ages as in theory, the under 40's wont be able to get the 2nd jab until August. Obviously you can just turn up at a vaccine centre and hope for some leftovers.