Portugal removed and Austria, Croatia and Trinidad & Tobago added to UK quarantine list

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• Anna says:

  20 Aug20 August 18:21

  The Miami Herald reported a couple of weeks ago that people were entering the Bahamas with fake COVID negative certificates – it didn’t specify if they were returning residents, Americans or other foreign nationals though.

  • Lady London says:

    20 Aug20 August 21:45

    It was reported a couple of days ago that Hong Kong has stopped Air India flying there. Apparently too many people arriving on Air India flights were testing positive for coronavirus.

    Air India is of course required to collect test certificates from all passengers before allowing them to board. It’s not clear whether the Air India checking/collection procedure is at fault, or if passengers are providing forged certificates, or if laboratories in India are not able to perform the tests properly.

    Either way, for now apparently Hong Kong is refusing all flights of Air India.

    Are any other countries with Indian Subcontinent diaspora doing this?

• Chris K says:

  20 Aug20 August 18:27

  Irritating for those travelling/returning from there, reassuring for the rest of us.

• AJA says:

  20 Aug20 August 18:34

  The trouble with all these countries being added or subsequently removed is that it is very difficult to plan where to go as you can’t be certain that the countries may not be added back to the list. I was thinking about going to Lisbon just after Christmas and discounted it yesterday due to the quarantine and impact on insurance but today it is ok to book but it’s still 4 months away so anything can happen. What’s to stop it being added to the quarantine list again?

  • meta says:

    20 Aug20 August 18:42

    I think planning travel has changed at least for a while. You now have 2 options: a) book last minute (like Thursday after announcement) b) book lots of different holidays, but all refundable until closer to the time.

    In any case you’re are at risk if you book anything longer than a week (unless you can actually self-isolate for 14 days).

    • Riccatti says:

      21 Aug21 August 03:35

      CAREFUL on “refundable” part.

      Hotels in Greece and France will tell you that it is government regulation “prevents” them issuing you a refund in cash (but to give a voucher).

      Or book a refundable fare with Lufthansa…

    • john says:

      21 Aug21 August 15:17

      Or go away in the UK with minimal risk!

  • TGLoyalty says:

    20 Aug20 August 18:43

    Nothing to stop everywhere being closed again in 4 months time to be completely honest.

    • meta says:

      20 Aug20 August 18:51

      True, that’s why you have to adapt and book everything on points/miles or on refundable rates. You can always rebook refundable rate for a cheaper advance rate.

      • Lady London says:

        20 Aug20 August 21:51

        Speaking of which, once again this week just having a few points (I am not a big points earner) lying around has saved me once again.

        1 day car hire being quoted at this short notice at £140-£170. I kid you not!!!!!!! some old Hertz points lying around, £3.76.

        Result. Wish I was rich enough to collect loads of points like the rest of you.

  • Darren says:

    20 Aug20 August 18:56

    I’ve booked flights for early Sept so will hopefully get some sun and sardines. Thinking of booking Pisa as a back up in case there’s a quick spike.

  • Lady London says:

    20 Aug20 August 21:49

    @Savage Squirrel calls it the “nudge” methodology of discouraging travel. I call it the “jerking around” methodology.

    It has been an absolute nightmare trying to book travel this week. Land and air travel options are either disappeared completely – like there is no way anymore to do certain things – or disappear just while I’m booking something else to coordinate with an option that’s showing (happened to me with both screens open halfway through a booking).

    I am sure the jerking around/nudge theory is working to discourage anybody that’s not desperate for a holiday from booking travel, but unfortunately the perhaps unfair impression given is that the government is incompetent and it’s all smoke and mirrors… when this is a nasty illness that leaves people permanently damaged.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      20 Aug20 August 22:20

      I think he’s just putting a positive spin on some awful political policies.

      20 in 100k is being treated as some magical number for visiting a different country when multiple parts of the UK are above 20 in 100k but I’m ok to visit there.

      • John says:

        21 Aug21 August 06:28

        Well it’s the same in many other countries except that their criteria is clearer

    • Andrew says:

      21 Aug21 August 08:53

      Blame the residents of the countries!

      They’re the ones who’re choosing to boycott basic hygiene & masks and making the lifestyle choice to catch Covid.

• Simon says:

  20 Aug20 August 18:38

  Switzerland has also been added to Scotland’s list

• TM says:

  20 Aug20 August 18:42

  Unsurprising for Croatia – it’s typical lads on tour in Hvar, no social distancing whatsoever. Looking forward to it becoming much quieter here, as we are fortunate enough to not need to rush back home.

  • J says:

    21 Aug21 August 07:15

    Nothing to do with lads holidays – if the govt took a regional approach to Croatia (like Germany does) you’d see the island regions (where most British tourists are) have less cases than the UK… More political games unfortunately from the UK govt making last minute blanket announcements to hide from their own failures.

• TheThunderer says:

  20 Aug20 August 18:43

  In Portugal and was hoping this would happen, but booked to come home Saturday in case it didn’t. Problem is now can’t get through to BA Holidays (flight + car) for love nor money. Easy to get through to flights only but they can’t help. Any ideas?

  • Lady London says:

    20 Aug20 August 21:56

    calling early usually best… perhaps even before official opening hours.
    or possibly, just possibly, late in their opening hours.

    • Lady London says:

      20 Aug20 August 21:58

      PS I forgot, as you are on a BA Holiday there is always a 24-hr contact number included in your documentation. Based on my experience when I needed them and some recent comments on here, they are really good and helpful. so call anytime if you can find that number. If you find the hours have shortened, as early as you can in whatever their opening hours are, always better.

• Adam says:

  20 Aug20 August 18:50

  We are booked for Portugal on 19th Sept. booked last year. Hope it lasts at least during September!!!

  • Darren says:

    20 Aug20 August 19:00

    Fingers crossed, good planning 🙂

• Anna says:

  20 Aug20 August 20:02

  I think the FCO is playing quarantine bingo.

  • Chris K says:

    20 Aug20 August 20:45

    I think they’re doing their best in difficult circumstances. There will always be some on the margin who are debateble.

    Given the kicking so many, particularly on here, gave them (with hindsight) over Easter I don’t blame them for being cautious.

  • Lady London says:

    20 Aug20 August 22:04

    Maybe it’s not quarantine bingo but quarantine whack-a-mole?

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