Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

[D6700]

What happened, was this Covid related or something else? Weather related? Weather was certainly very benign here last weekend.

Given the mention of Heathrow, I suspect the answer will be the choice of airline...

https://www.computerweekly.com/news...nd-short-haul-flights-due-to-technical-issues

Passengers due to fly with British Airways on Saturday 26 February were faced with flight cancellations and baggage handling issues because of unspecified ‘technical issues’

 

[Butts]

Given the mention of Heathrow, I suspect the answer will be the choice of airline...

https://www.computerweekly.com/news...nd-short-haul-flights-due-to-technical-issues

Indeed, pleased to report my bag had it's own little holiday travelling to Dusseldorf without me.

Currently it is on it's way back (hope it visited duty free) having just arrived back in London.

They say it is going to be couriered up from T5, but surely they will put it on a flight to Edinburgh and deliver from there ????

 

[TheAlbanach_]

Arrived in Amsterdam today. At the border the guard didn’t want to see any of my documentary’s (vaccine proof, health deceleration and negative test). They just stamped the passport and that was it. Here in Amsterdam it feels like life in normal. No one is wearing masks outside, in shops. Only on public transport. What a difference to Scotland.

 

[kristiang85]

I just flew to Frankfurt from Heathrow. Heathrow wasn't too much of an issue, nobody asked me to put a mask on until the gate. Lufthansa are full on masktivist (presumably due to German law), and were constantly announcing mask reminders.

Frankfurt airport is just like going back to the bad old days. Social distancing in place, full on masktivism, checking both passport and vaccine pass to sit down to eat, details being taken and most of the informal restaurants are still shut, so the rest are really crowded (ironically).

 

[Butts]

I just flew to Frankfurt from Heathrow. Heathrow wasn't too much of an issue, nobody asked me to put a mask on until the gate. Lufthansa are full on masktivist (presumably due to German law), and were constantly announcing mask reminders.

Frankfurt airport is just like going back to the bad old days. Social distancing in place, full on masktivism, checking both passport and vaccine pass to sit down to eat, details being taken and most of the informal restaurants are still shut, so the rest are really crowded (ironically).

Nice smoking lounge - wonder if you have to show anything to get in there

 

[yorkie]

Arrived in Amsterdam today. At the border the guard didn’t want to see any of my documentary’s (vaccine proof, health deceleration and negative test). They just stamped the passport and that was it. Here in Amsterdam it feels like life in normal. No one is wearing masks outside, in shops. Only on public transport. What a difference to Scotland.

It's the same in Switzerland

Frankfurt airport is just like going back to the bad old days. Social distancing in place, full on masktivism, checking both passport and vaccine pass to sit down to eat, details being taken and most of the informal restaurants are still shut, so the rest are really crowded (ironically).

France and Germany are best avoided.

Does anyone have any idea what the situation will be like in Spain in 4 weeks time? I am hoping they will have seen sense on things like masks by then.

 

[danm14]

The Republic of Ireland has dropped all foreign travel restrictions, effective from midnight. There is no longer a requirement to complete a passenger locator form or supply proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test.

I expect this to force the hand of the UK to do the same, as it is now possible (albeit illegal) for any unvaccinated person to evade UK testing requirements by rerouting via Dublin.

 

[duncanp]

The Republic of Ireland has dropped all foreign travel restrictions, effective from midnight. There is no longer a requirement to complete a passenger locator form or supply proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test.

I expect this to force the hand of the UK to do the same, as it is now possible (albeit illegal) for any unvaccinated person to evade UK testing requirements by rerouting via Dublin.

Great, as I am going to Ireland next month on the way to the United States.

As you say, it can't be long before the UK drops the Passenger Locator forms either.

Now then President Biden, about these COVID tests to enter the US.

How about making the limit three days instead of one day, or abolishing them altogether, along with the federal mask mandate on public transport.

 

[TheAlbanach_]

I’m so confused with the UK passenger locator form. It makes absolutely no sense. It says I need to provide details from where I’ve been for the past ten days but I’ve only been in The Netherlands for three days…. Can’t continue the form cause it won’t accept my depart date. The Dutch one took two minutes to complete. Has anyone else worked out how to complete this?

 

[Peterthegreat]

I’m so confused with the UK passenger locator form. It makes absolutely no sense. It says I need to provide details from where I’ve been for the past ten days but I’ve only been in The Netherlands for three days…. Can’t continue the form cause it won’t accept my depart date. The Dutch one took two minutes to complete. Has anyone else worked out how to complete this?

Do you not put the UK in (assuming that's where you were before entering the Netherlands)?

 

[TheAlbanach_]

Do you not put the UK in (assuming that's where you were before entering the Netherlands)?

Managed to get it sorted after watching a YouTube video thank you. There is absolutely no need for that form to be complicated haha.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Managed to get it sorted after watching a YouTube video thank you. There is absolutely no need for that form to be complicated haha.

What was the answer please?

 

[306024]

It's the same in Switzerland

France and Germany are best avoided.

Germany isn't. No great hassle on both my recent trips. NHS paper Covid document is the easiest to show, no faffing with a phone. Masks, yes on public transport but not worth cancelling the trip for.

They had even dropped the locator form by the second trip, just want the UK to do the same as it wouldn't upload to my flight booking so couldn't check in on line.

 

[Butts]

Germany isn't. No great hassle on both my recent trips. NHS paper Covid document is the easiest to show, no faffing with a phone. Masks, yes on public transport but not worth cancelling the trip for.

They had even dropped the locator form by the second trip, just want the UK to do the same as it wouldn't upload to my flight booking so couldn't check in on line.

It's got to go by the end of the month surely ?

Especially as Ireland have dropped theirs - 1st Time Ireland have had less travel restrictions than the UK for ages.

 

[306024]

It's got to go by the end of the month surely ?

Especially as Ireland have dropped theirs - 1st Time Ireland have had less travel restrictions than the UK for ages.

Not obvious to me what point the UK locator form now serves, but happy to be told by someone in the know.

 

[AlterEgo]

Over 70s are banned from several malls here in Abu Dhabi. I am not sure if that is the law or a private rule by the mall owners, but it is the law to have a vaccine passport on your mobile phone to enter most indoor spaces.

 

[Butts]

Over 70s are banned from several malls here in Abu Dhabi. I am not sure if that is the law or a private rule by the mall owners, but it is the law to have a vaccine passport on your mobile phone to enter most indoor spaces.

Are paper versions acceptable ?

 

[AlterEgo]

Are paper versions acceptable ?

I do not know, but I suspect there isn't a paper version of the UAE vax pass.

You must download the AlHosn app and input a code given to you at immigration to verify your vaccine status. It is very easy.

 

[duncanp]

Not obvious to me what point the UK locator form now serves, but happy to be told by someone in the know.

I am not sure what purpose it ever served, never mind about now when most restrictions have been abolished.

When I returned from France last November, the only check was from Eurostar staff to see that I actually had a form.

No-one checked the details on the form, especially the French and UK immigration staff.

I have seen reports that the UK passenger locator form will be abolished in time for the Easter holidays.

However that is over a month away, and there really is no need to wait that long.

The requirement to complete a PLF, as well as taking a COVID test, has been abolished for journeys starting in Russia or Ukraine.

There are obvious humanitarian reasons for this, as acceptance of refugees from the war in Ukraine is rightly seen as more important than worrying about whether they have COVID.

But if that is the case for Russia and Ukraine, then surely similar logic can be applied to everywhere else in the world, given that most adults in the UK have a good level of immunity from vaccination or previous infection.

 

[island]

The Republic of Ireland has dropped all foreign travel restrictions, effective from midnight. There is no longer a requirement to complete a passenger locator form or supply proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test.

I believe this makes Ireland the first EU country to have completely removed all COVID restrictions from law.

 

[nw1]

Over 70s are banned from several malls here in Abu Dhabi. I am not sure if that is the law or a private rule by the mall owners, but it is the law to have a vaccine passport on your mobile phone to enter most indoor spaces.

Over 70s banned? That is a) ageist and b) should be up to the individual.

Surely it's up to the over 70s to make their own mind up as to whether they risk catching Omicron from the malls, not the mall owners or the state (whoever is responsible for the rule).

But I've seen this elsewhere, including in Europe. People over a certain age (often 60 or 70) face more restrictions 'for their own protection'. But it really is up to the individual to make decisions on their own health (as opposed to other people's health), not the state or some private entity. To me, it's the same as making the consumption of chips or hamburgers illegal if you had high cholesterol or were over a certain age.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Mar 2022 ==

I believe this makes Ireland the first EU country to have completely removed all COVID restrictions from law.

Would it be the first country full stop?

 

[LAX54]

I am not sure what purpose it ever served, never mind about now when most restrictions have been abolished.

When I returned from France last November, the only check was from Eurostar staff to see that I actually had a form.

No-one checked the details on the form, especially the French and UK immigration staff.

I have seen reports that the UK passenger locator form will be abolished in time for the Easter holidays.

However that is over a month away, and there really is no need to wait that long.

The requirement to complete a PLF, as well as taking a COVID test, has been abolished for journeys starting in Russia or Ukraine.

There are obvious humanitarian reasons for this, as acceptance of refugees from the war in Ukraine is rightly seen as more important than worrying about whether they have COVID.

But if that is the case for Russia and Ukraine, then surely similar logic can be applied to everywhere else in the world, given that most adults in the UK have a good level of immunity from vaccination or previous infection.

If you are coming from Russia and Ukraine , no PLF and no test, so I have to ask what value overall is the PLF now ?

As for UK Citizens going to the EU, Netherlands STILL require vaccination AND a negative test before you go

 

[nw1]

If you are coming from Russia and Ukraine , no PLF and no test, so I have to ask what value overall is the PLF now ?

I think it's fairly obvious why those two countries are exempt, but I do agree, the PLF needs to go.

As for UK Citizens going to the EU, Netherlands STILL require vaccination AND a negative test before you go

I suspect all this will stop by the summer. Countries won't want another bad tourist season.

 

[LAX54]

I think it's fairly obvious why those two countries are exempt, but I do agree, the PLF needs to go.

Yes, agree the reasons, but it does make the whole PLF thing rather valueless !

 

[island]

Would it be the first country full stop?

That is entirely possible.

 

[D1024]

Having just filled out a PLF for my return to the UK tomorrow, the one section that i find bizarre follows the question "address in the UK" to which I enter my home address which matches the details of who I am - it then asks "when am I leaving that address?" Don't know - might be Tuesday to do some shopping or Wednesday if I don't do it on Tuesday.....

 

[yorkie]

Having just filled out a PLF for my return to the UK tomorrow, the one section that i find bizarre follows the question "address in the UK" to which I enter my home address which matches the details of who I am - it then asks "when am I leaving that address?" Don't know - might be Tuesday to do some shopping or Wednesday if I don't do it on Tuesday.....

You can leave that part blank.

It is a silly question though and there should be an "I don't know" answer.

I've got pretty quick doing these forms now. Last time I did the form, I did so with the other members of forum I was with (well those who are not resident in Switzerland) and so if we were unsure on anything we could remind each other or look it up.

But to someone who isn't sure and doing one for the first time, it could be very daunting. If anyone has any questions, they can ask on here!

 

[D1024]

You can leave that part blank

I always just put a random future date in - didn't realise you could leave it blank....Will remember that for next weekend

 

[nw1]

I always just put a random future date in - didn't realise you could leave it blank....Will remember that for next weekend

Isn't it to account for people who might be temporarily staying in the UK and then moving on, or staying in a hotel and then moving on?

 

[Yew]

Having just filled out a PLF for my return to the UK tomorrow, the one section that i find bizarre follows the question "address in the UK" to which I enter my home address which matches the details of who I am - it then asks "when am I leaving that address?" Don't know - might be Tuesday to do some shopping or Wednesday if I don't do it on Tuesday.....

When I did the form, it felt like a relic of the days of isolation hotels etc.