Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

[Watershed]

With immediate effect, Switzerland has lifted all test and vaccine requirements for entry and all domestic vaccine pass requirements. Mask requirements are dropped except in public transport and healthcare settings, where they will be dropped by the end of next month.

Great news - they must be one of the first central European countries to be dropping masks on trains? Sadly the latter is coming a month too late for my trip

 

[yorkie]

With immediate effect, Switzerland has lifted all test and vaccine requirements for entry and all domestic vaccine pass requirements. Mask requirements are dropped except in public transport and healthcare settings, where they will be dropped by the end of next month.

That's disappointing for me as I am visiting Switzerland this month.

I don't get this demonisation of public transport; I don't need to wear a flimsy mask in the shop, but I do on a train?!

Fortunately I have a mask that is deliberately designed to be as breathable as possible and advertised as a "fake mask" but complies with mandates as a pure box ticking exercise.

Does anyone have any news on Spain? I go there on 31 March.

 

[TravelDream]

Poland has been a real dictatorship in the life time of most of the population, and as the country where the fightback against communism really stared, it's no surprise that compliance with what were seen as overbearing government mandates was low. On the flip side of that you also see a particularly low uptake of the vaccine and a relatively high death rate in Poland, which is not as admirable. The country was also heading for a 5th wave a few weeks ago and has numerous anti vaccine people in government.

Going a touch off-topic, the government there is in a really tricky situation.
Polish cities actually have a reasonably high vaccination rate. They vote for the opposition. The government supporting rural/ provincial areas have a much lower vaccination rate.
This means the government finds it impossible to have things like vaccine passports as it mostly affects their voters.

You also have the farcical situation of bars having a big sign at the entrance saying something like maximum capacity 24 when there are 150 people inside.

The positive for anyone traveling there is that things are very likely to be open (legally or not) and they are not going to have vaccine passports for anything other than entering the country.

 

[Butts]

No PLF required for entry to Germany from tomorrow.
No Tests either way.

Just the pesky UK PLF to come back !!

 

[westv]

No PLF required for entry to Germany from tomorrow.
No Tests either way.

Just the pesky UK PLF to come back !!

I thought the UK PLF was going to at some point.

 

[joncombe]

I thought the UK PLF was going to at some point.

I've seen reports that there is due to be an announcement on Monday and this is rumoured to be part of what will be announced.

 

[superalbs]

Just gonna report, no problems entering Georgia or Armenia with NHS vaccine documents on my phone.

Quite niche, but still, good to know.

 

[davetheguard]

Just gonna report, no problems entering Georgia or Armenia with NHS vaccine documents on my phone.

Quite niche, but still, good to know.

I was due to visit Georgia in April as part of an orgainsed tour, but it has been cancelled due to the low numbers booking.

Instead, I'll look forward to watching any forthcoming superalbs videos from the country!

 

[TravelDream]

I was due to visit Georgia in April as part of an orgainsed tour, but it has been cancelled due to the low numbers booking.

Georgia is absolutely stunning and very cheap compared to the UK.

TBH, I would consider looking into hiring a driver/ guide to tour the places you want to go. Prices were around £100 a day per car a couple of years back. I imagine they'll be pretty similar given the lower demand.

 

[Berliner]

Georgia is absolutely stunning and very cheap compared to the UK.

TBH, I would consider looking into hiring a driver/ guide to tour the places you want to go. Prices were around £100 a day per car a couple of years back. I imagine they'll be pretty similar given the lower demand.

I second this. Georgia is a hidden gem really and I was surpsied at how much I enjoyed my time there. It's very cheap and I think one of the best ways to see the country wouldn't be with a pre-arranged tour, but by arriving solo and spending a day seeking out a local driver or tour company to copy the same itinerary you had booked.

Certainly getting between cities in the shared taxis is extremely easy, cheap and popular and it is one of the few countries where tourists don't seem to be ripped off by taxi drivers etc.

 

[davetheguard]

Georgia is absolutely stunning and very cheap compared to the UK.

Georgia is a hidden gem really and I was surpsied at how much I enjoyed my time there. It's very cheap and I think one of the best ways to see the country wouldn't be with a pre-arranged tour, but by arriving solo and spending a day seeking out a local driver or tour company to copy the same itinerary you had booked.

Thanks for your comments. I'm sure we'll still get there, it'll just be postponed for -yet another- year.

 

[1D54]

I thought the UK PLF was going to at some point.

With all restrictions being scrapped today did i miss the announcement on the above or is it still with us?

 

[yorkie]

With all restrictions being scrapped today did i miss the announcement on the above or is it still with us?

A few more weeks yet; I think it may not be confirmed yet...

Grant Shapps pushing to scrap passenger locator forms for Easter

www.standard.co.uk

Grant Shapps is pushing for passenger locator forms to be scrapped in time for the Easter holidays, it has been reported.

 

[Ediswan]

With all restrictions being scrapped today did i miss the announcement on the above or is it still with us?

Boris gave a wobbly answer when asked.

 

[D6130]

Boris gave a wobbly answer when asked.

Doesn't he always?

 

[P Binnersley]

The Passenger Locator Form is staying at the moment, but may go by Easter

International travel regulations 133.
With the intention to continue to facilitate safe travel and sector recovery, and in the context of having significantly reduced travel restrictions, the Government will review The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) Regulations 2021 before Easter and ahead of their expiry date of 16 May.

COVID-19 Response: Living with COVID-19

The government’s plan for removing the remaining legal restrictions while protecting people most vulnerable to COVID-19 and maintaining resilience.

www.gov.uk

Also Hotel Quarantine is being stood down.

 

[davetheguard]

What is the situation regarding mask wearing on international flights now? Does it vary by airline and/or by destination country? What about at airports themselves?

I know you have to wear one on Eurostar, my usual mode for visiting the near continent, which is why I'm asking about flying.

 

[Watershed]

What is the situation regarding mask wearing on international flights now? Does it vary by airline and/or by destination country? What about at airports themselves?

I know you have to wear one on Eurostar, my usual mode for visiting the near continent, which is why I'm asking about flying.

Many countries are still mandating masks on flights, and so most airlines are simply sticking with a policy of requiring masks on all flights. When/if masks are dropped in more countries that could change, as it already has in much of Scandinavia.

 

[nw1]

Boris gave a wobbly answer when asked.

The non-wobbly translation would be something like:

"It's alright for me to have lockdown parties, because I am Prime Minister and thus above the law, but to prevent deadly killer Omicron spreading in the UK, we have to keep the PLF".

 

[island]

What is the situation regarding mask wearing on international flights now? Does it vary by airline and/or by destination country? What about at airports themselves?

I know you have to wear one on Eurostar, my usual mode for visiting the near continent, which is why I'm asking about flying.

Generally, flights will need to follow the stricter of the rules of their departure country and the arrival country, but may operate their own stricter policies. So far, most if not all airlines serving the UK have blanket mask requirements on all flights, including routes such as Heathrow to Newcastle where there is no legal requirement. BA say this is for safety and simplicity. You may draw your own conclusion.

As for airports, again in England and NI no legal requirement to wear a mask. Heathrow and Southampton are requiring them as a house rule, and Birmingham requires them at security and on buses but not elsewhere. Those other English airports whose websites I've checked have no mandatory requirements.

 

[roversfan2001]

As for airports, again in England and NI no legal requirement to wear a mask. Heathrow and Southampton are requiring them as a house rule, and Birmingham requires them at security and on buses but not elsewhere. Those other English airports whose websites I've checked have no mandatory requirements.

Manchester have regular announcements saying that masks must be worn however I've never been challenged on any of my six visits there since mid-November (including once in December when I assume they were legally required). Obviously near enough everyone wears one anyway as they have to for their flight.

 

[Mojo]

Georgia is absolutely stunning and very cheap compared to the UK.

TBH, I would consider looking into hiring a driver/ guide to tour the places you want to go. Prices were around £100 a day per car a couple of years back. I imagine they'll be pretty similar given the lower demand.

I second this. Georgia is a hidden gem really and I was surpsied at how much I enjoyed my time there. It's very cheap and I think one of the best ways to see the country wouldn't be with a pre-arranged tour, but by arriving solo and spending a day seeking out a local driver or tour company to copy the same itinerary you had booked.

Certainly getting between cities in the shared taxis is extremely easy, cheap and popular and it is one of the few countries where tourists don't seem to be ripped off by taxi drivers etc.

I must admit, I didn't think Georgia was all that cheap, maybe because I'd been to Ukraine a few months previous, and that WAS cheap - ended up converting £100 before we went (couple) and still had nearly £40 to spend at the airport duty free on the way back after 3 days away!

I went to Georgia in Spring 2019, easily managed to fill a whole week. If you wanted to prebook something, may I recommend the Budget Georgia company? They do group tours and you can also arrange private tours, we had a mixture of the both. One of the highlights of the trip was the drive up to Ushguli, one of the highest settlements in Europe and only accessible via a dirt track through the mountains, slipping and sliding in the mud and slush as we went with a sheer drop a metre away! I also enjoyed the Metro in Tblisi and spotting all the old soviet manufacturer marks.

To bring this back on topic, I've really missed my holidays, we would normally have gone abroad every couple of months, many of them longhaul. Haven't left the country since I went to Spain, two years ago last week. I don't think I could cope with having to wear masks in public or on a flight, and I'm really fearful that that restriction will never be dropped.

 

[Butts]

Generally, flights will need to follow the stricter of the rules of their departure country and the arrival country, but may operate their own stricter policies. So far, most if not all airlines serving the UK have blanket mask requirements on all flights, including routes such as Heathrow to Newcastle where there is no legal requirement. BA say this is for safety and simplicity. You may draw your own conclusion.

As for airports, again in England and NI no legal requirement to wear a mask. Heathrow and Southampton are requiring them as a house rule, and Birmingham requires them at security and on buses but not elsewhere. Those other English airports whose websites I've checked have no mandatory requirements.

This is ridiculous, there should be a common policy in England and Northern Ireland.

We don't need to ask in Scotland and Wales.

 

[nw1]

I must admit, I didn't think Georgia was all that cheap, maybe because I'd been to Ukraine a few months previous, and that WAS cheap - ended up converting £100 before we went (couple) and still had nearly £40 to spend at the airport duty free on the way back after 3 days away!

I went to Georgia in Spring 2019, easily managed to fill a whole week. If you wanted to prebook something, may I recommend the Budget Georgia company? They do group tours and you can also arrange private tours, we had a mixture of the both. One of the highlights of the trip was the drive up to Ushguli, one of the highest settlements in Europe and only accessible via a dirt track through the mountains, slipping and sliding in the mud and slush as we went with a sheer drop a metre away! I also enjoyed the Metro in Tblisi and spotting all the old soviet manufacturer marks.

To bring this back on topic, I've really missed my holidays, we would normally have gone abroad every couple of months, many of them longhaul. Haven't left the country since I went to Spain, two years ago last week. I don't think I could cope with having to wear masks in public or on a flight, and I'm really fearful that that restriction will never be dropped.

I'm not so sure. I suspect by summer, Covid will be off the agenda in much of the world as other issues such as energy price rises and the post-Covid recession take over in terms if importance.

Those countries still pursuing restrictions will I suspect wish to drop them by the summer, in order to attract the tourists they have been missing these past two years - remember this year there'll be quite a bit of competition for tourists I suspect, and countries with softer or no restrictions are likely to get more.

 

[P Binnersley]

While Non vaccinated arrivals in the UK are still required to take tests, from tomorrow they do not have to isolate if they test positive, and are only "recommended" to isolate and take a follow up PCR test.

The only requirement seems to be to give the names of the people they are living with if they test positive (if asked).

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2022

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) Regulations 2021 (“the International Travel Regulations”). They make amendments to the International Travel Regulations consequential on the revocation of the Health Protection...

www.legislation.gov.uk

 

[Watershed]

As for airports, again in England and NI no legal requirement to wear a mask. Heathrow and Southampton are requiring them as a house rule, and Birmingham requires them at security and on buses but not elsewhere. Those other English airports whose websites I've checked have no mandatory requirements.

I can confirm, having been through Birmingham earlier today, that there was signage and a half-hearted attempt to encourage people to wear masks through security. Perhaps 80% of people complied. However nothing was said to me when I passed through (unmasked). They were more interested in my T key!

Incidentally, waiting times at security were atrocious - more than an hour in total. But I've often found that at Birmingham.

Once through security, far fewer people were wearing masks and many did not put one on until requested to do so by the cabin crew, upon boarding. Bizarrely, the gate staff demanded proof of vaccination status, despite this only being a requirement for non-EEA citizens for the country I was travelling to (Switzerland).

I think I'll stick to other airports next time!

 

[nw1]

I can confirm, having been through Birmingham earlier today, that there was signage and a half-hearted attempt to encourage people to wear masks through security. Perhaps 80% of people complied. However nothing was said to me when I passed through (unmasked). They were more interested in my T key!

Incidentally, waiting times at security were atrocious - more than an hour in total. But I've often found that at Birmingham.

Once through security, far fewer people were wearing masks and many did not put one on until requested to do so by the cabin crew, upon boarding. Bizarrely, the gate staff demanded proof of vaccination status, despite this only being a requirement for non-EEA citizens for the country I was travelling to (Switzerland).

I think I'll stick to other airports next time!

Non-EEA citizens? That sounds worryingly discriminatory. Like Brexit in reverse. Not good, certainly time for this kind of nonsense to end.

 

[LAX54]

What is the situation regarding mask wearing on international flights now? Does it vary by airline and/or by destination country? What about at airports themselves?

I know you have to wear one on Eurostar, my usual mode for visiting the near continent, which is why I'm asking about flying.

Virgin Atlantic still require them (as does B.A) gets a bit bizarre really, as you do not have to wear them in the UK, you do not, for example have to wear them in the USA, but must be vaccinated and a negative test before you go, but the bit in the middle on the plane where everyone is free of Covid, you must wear a mask

 

[kristiang85]

Iceland has said all travel restrictions and testing requirements will be lifted from Friday, and thinks natural immunity is the way to go forward.

 

[johncrossley]

Iceland has said all travel restrictions and testing requirements will be lifted from Friday, and thinks natural immunity is the way to go forward.

There is still no agreement on reciprocal healthcare between the UK and Iceland, so you have to get travel insurance and hope it pays out if you need it.