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International travel and COVID

Started by Fambo Number Mive, January 14, 2021, 09:23:16 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

George Oscar Bluth II

Feels to me a lot like the govt are laying the groundwork for a global travel ban for the rest of the year. The "debate" about it at the moment feels a lot like a trial balloon.

To be honest, borders are terrible etc etc but fuck me the theoretical ability to go to Paris in the middle of a pandemic doesn't make up for the inability to see my parents

Fambo Number Mive

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds makes some good points:

QuoteThomas-Symonds asks how the government can be sure travellers will not arrive with emergent strains via countries not on the control list.

He also wants to know if discussions have taken place with hotel chains to ensure they have enough availability for those quarantining.

And he asks why enforcement is "only being stepped up now"...

Patel's response - cheap political attacks and "we are taking a layered approach"

QuoteResponding to Labour, Home Secretary Priti Patel says it is disappointing that Nick Thomas-Symonds is critical of government measures.

She says there has been a "layered" approach to rules at the border, and accuses Labour of "flip-flopping" itself over the measures.

She says "there is no simple or binary approach that can be taken".

"It is right that we manage risk in this layered approach," she says.

"It is disappointing that [he] is critical of government measures". Pathetic.

Fambo Number Mive

QuoteQuarantining all arrivals into the UK from all countries would be "unfeasible" and "not necessarily effective", the universities minister, Michelle Donelan, says.

Why don't the BBC ask Donelan why this is the case, given New Zealand, Australia and other countries managed it?

Ferris

Quote from: Fambo Number Mive on February 02, 2021, 10:15:37 AM
Why don't the BBC ask Donelan why this is the case, given New Zealand, Australia and other countries managed it?

The Canadian government will also force you to stay in a government-specified hotel at your own expense (around $2k) and get two tests during your quarantine.

Fambo Number Mive

Hancock has complained that the SNP health spokeswoman failed to praise the rapid rollout of the vaccine in her question about restricting international travel. Soon he'll only answer questions if people begin "Mr very clever Health Minister of the very clever government, would you mind if I asked you a question".


Fambo Number Mive

QuoteInternational travel had the biggest impact on Covid death rates for countries hit in the pandemic's first wave, a study suggests.

Researchers in Aberdeen focused on the world's worst affected 37 countries.

They examined factors including border arrivals, population density, the percentage of people living in urban areas, age, and health issues.

The team say early restrictions on international travel could have made a difference in the spread.

The study looked at counties including the US, the UK, Spain, France, Italy and Brazil, and focused on the early stages of the pandemic.

They found an increase of one million international arrivals was associated with a 3.4% rise in the mean daily increase in Covid-19 deaths...

Of course Johnson won't chase his mind on closing the borders as much as possible.

poo

Travel won't be back to normal for a few years.

George Oscar Bluth II

Yeah do not pin your hopes on Magaluf this year

Fambo Number Mive

Looks like our hotel quarantine plans have some flaws:

Quote...BBC science editor David Shukman found the rules in England will be looser than Australia's system, which is seen as among the best in the world.

A copy of the guidance for hotels in England's system suggested:

Guests will be allowed access to fresh air outside, escorted by a security guard, whereas in Australia the view is that staff should not be put at risk by escorting people outside
There is no guidance on the timing of meal deliveries, potentially leading to cross-infections between guests as room doors are opened at the same time
Surgical masks will be required for staff, providing less protection than the masks required in Australia's system
One Australian epidemiologist described allowing travellers quarantining in hotels to leave their rooms for fresh air as "very risky".

Prof Michael Toole said there was evidence of transmission when guests opened doors, and "with the positive pressure this kind of fog of virus went out into the corridor, travelled down and infected hotel staff"...

When asked about this, Home Office minister Victoria Atkins gave a non-answer

Quote"We are following the data in our own country and applying the measures that apply in our own country."

"Our standards are amongst the strongest in the world," she added.

BlodwynPig

Victoria Atkins is not fit for purpose. I'm calling for her to resign immediately.

(TFM, if you could screenshot this and post on your twitter please as I don't use the platform).

Gurke and Hare

The blessed New Zealand allowed people quarantining access to fresh air once a day. I have some friends who emigrated there last autumn (not out of the blue, he grew up in NZ so he was moving back there rather than choosing a weird time to pick a random country to move to) and during their hotel quarantine they were allowed to walk round a yard for an hour a day like they were in prison in an American film.

jamiefairlie

And how many lives did that save? Seems like a fair trade to me.

Jasha

Imagine having to shell out £1700 to stay at a Premier Inn for 10 nights, and probably have to pay the extra for not dogmeat wifi

BlodwynPig

Quote from: Jasha on February 12, 2021, 05:11:22 PM
Imagine having to shell out £1700 to stay at a Premier Inn for 10 nights, and probably have to pay the extra for not dogmeat wifi

Free dogmeat meals though, tbf.

Gurke and Hare

Quote from: jamiefairlie on February 12, 2021, 04:30:47 PM
And how many lives did that save? Seems like a fair trade to me.

I don't know what you're getting at here. I'm putting the New Zealand example up against

QuoteOne Australian epidemiologist described allowing travellers quarantining in hotels to leave their rooms for fresh air as "very risky".

I'm not saying they should be allowed to go for a wander round town, just that they shouldn't be confined to their rooms for the whole quarantine, and that New Zealand has achieved its good results without requiring them to.

Uncle TechTip

??? Just sleep for ten days. Bliss.

Fambo Number Mive

Quote from: Uncle TechTip on February 13, 2021, 02:06:28 AM
??? Just sleep for ten days. Bliss.

You could also ring reception and ask them to make porn come on your TV if you are really bored.

Just pretend you are Alan but you can't leave your room.

Fambo Number Mive

Some people are very optimistic:

QuoteA couple among the first Britons in the world to be hit by the coronavirus pandemic after an outbreak on their cruise ship have revealed they are planning five trips away in the upcoming months.

David and Sally Abel were holidaying off the coast of Japan when a Covid-19 outbreak infected dozens of passengers on board the Diamond Princess, causing the cruise liner to lockdown on February 4 2020.

The couple, now 75 and 72 respectively, were forced to stay in their rooms on board the ship for more than two weeks. The couple then caught coronavirus while on the ship and spent three weeks in a Japanese hospital.

Despite the nightmare experience, David and Sally's love for cruises is as strong as ever and they remain hopeful that they'll be able to enjoy more trips abroad once they've had their Covid-19 vaccinations.

"We have to plan for the future," said David.

"We've got five cruises booked already. In April, we were supposed to be flying to Canada, but I don't think that will happen... we've got five booked between 2021 and March 2022."...

We all need things to look forward to but I'm not sure booking five cruises is the best idea.

https://www.itv.com/news/2021-02-04/covid-british-couple-among-first-to-be-hit-on-cruise-planning-more-trips-this-year

QuoteDavid and Sally said they "loved" their experience on the Diamond Princess - up until the point where the virus ripped through the ship.

Gurke and Hare

QuoteDavid and Sally said they "loved" their experience on the Diamond Princess - up until the point where the virus ripped through the ship.

Pretty sure that's often the case with cruises even when there isn't a global pandemic.

Chedney Honks

I can think of nothing worse than a cruise, except for five cruises.

BlodwynPig

Quote from: Chedney Honks on February 13, 2021, 04:10:48 PM
I can think of nothing worse than a cruise, except for five cruises.

with David and Sally spewing their gammon ideology into your earhole at the "Captain's table", while you are trying to get away to watch the footy.

Fambo Number Mive

QuoteArrivals in England who are required to quarantine in a hotel face an additional £1,200 bill if they test positive for coronavirus, the government says.

Not sure what the logic of this is - is it the cost of any potential medical treatment should their coronavirus infection mean they have to go to hospital? Or to encourage them to be as careful as possible when travelling to the UK.

Zetetic

It's because you have to stay in quarantine for longer. It reflects an additional 8 nights stay at a rate of £152 per night.

BritishHobo

Is it stupid and optimistic to book a holiday to the US for next January?

George Oscar Bluth II

I actually reckon that'll be ok.

I mean don't book on my say so but I reckon it will be.

BlodwynPig

Quote from: BritishHobo on February 19, 2021, 03:06:33 PM
Is it stupid and optimistic to book a holiday to the US for next January?

Ted Cruz just flew to Mexico, so I guess you could book one tomorrow

Ferris

Quote from: BritishHobo on February 19, 2021, 03:06:33 PM
Is it stupid and optimistic to book a holiday to the US for next January?

Should be grand by then I'd say. Everyone will be vaxxed out their arse.

It'll probably be largely back to normal, maybe a negative covid test to add to the paperwork in addition to your ESTA.

BritishHobo

Quote from: George Oscar Bluth II on February 19, 2021, 03:31:38 PM
I actually reckon that'll be ok.

I mean don't book on my say so but I reckon it will be.

Too late GOB. I read the first line and called up the travel agents with glee. If things go tits up this year, expect some very unhappy PMs sent from my quarantine Travelodge, if I can get on the wi-fi.

Nah, more seriously I've gone with Hays, who are offering free cancellation and full refund up to six weeks before. Having heard stories from people who gambled on late-2020 holidays, I'm wary of taking any risks.

Icehaven

Quote from: Fambo Number Mive on February 13, 2021, 03:30:36 PM
We all need things to look forward to but I'm not sure booking five cruises is the best idea.


They might as well sell their house and buy a boat. Less chance of catching a virus or getting food poisoning then too.

Shoulders?-Stomach!

Quote from: FerriswheelBueller on February 19, 2021, 03:45:17 PM
Should be grand by then I'd say. Everyone will be vaxxed out their arse.

It'll probably be largely back to normal, maybe a negative covid test to add to the paperwork in addition to your ESTA.

I agree, with the obvious caveat that a mutation that isn't caught in time in the right conditions (flu season and no distancing regulations would seem to be one) could cause a severe spike and new restricitons slapped on.

But, if that doesn't occur and if all goes well, then air travel it will be more expensive and more bureaucratic, but probably possible and practical for ordinary people by then.