International Travel

[Mark Pearce]

Thomas Dai I must visit this other U.K. where everyone is in fear and the health service is still under stress.


I shook hands with a mate and drove him to the golf club earlier, the only unusual thing was going to my local for a couple of pints of Guinness and the landlady was smoking behind the bar. There were some (ignored) Covid  rules posted. I was on the road from 5 weeks into wave 1 Covid testing and have yet to fill up in a garage wearing gloves.

It astonishes me how many apparently intelligent people think it's clever to boast about ignoring guidance which is there to save lives.  I'm saddened to see this on here, from someone I thought had more sense.

[Mike Hendren]

I have plenty of challenge walking in my own shoes.  I try to avoid attempting to walk in another's.


Perhaps this thread should be deleted.  It's proving to be divisive and I can't fathom anyone change another's mind.


Grace and Peace.


Bogey

[Charles Lund]

I am actually interested in the perspective of the UK resident who posted here,  with whom I communicated with and met up with in the SW of England in 2017


I've done a lot of solo international golf travel and appreciate and respect the hospitality shown in the many clubs and countries I have visited.  I receive regular information about Covid-19 impact on golf at a club in Victoria and another in Donegal. 


Covid-19 has been an ordeal unlike much else in my lifetime. I'd rather return to a warm and friendly welcome later than arrive too early.  Frankly, I hope there are systems established for entry that require some kind of electronic vaccination credential for entry.


Charles Lund

[Bryan Izatt]

The "green certificate" concept the EU is proposing applies to intra-EU travel.  And, it's not here yet.  The EU site does provide the following about travel from non-EU countries.

"Could today's proposals also facilitate travelling to the EU from third countries?

At the moment, non-essential travel to the EU is restricted from third countries, except for a limited number of countries. A non-EU national who may travel to the EU can obtain a Digital Green Certificate. The non-EU national could request a Digital Green Certificate from a Member State he/she is travelling to, by providing all necessary information, including reliable proof of vaccination. The Member State would then have to assess if reliable proof has been provided and decide whether to issue a Digital Green Certificate.

In the medium-term, where the Commission is satisfied that a third country issues certificates in compliance with international standards and systems which are interoperable with the EU system, the Commission can issue an “adequacy decision” through an implementing act based on the regulation proposed today. Then, such third country certificates would be accepted under the same conditions as Digital Green Certificates.

In both cases, the rules for acceptance of proof of vaccination would be the same as for EU nationals: vaccines that have received EU-wide marketing authorisation have to be accepted, but Member States can decide to accept other vaccines in addition."

Sounds like many details and systems to be worked out yet. 

The UK is not part of the EU any more, so don't know if the EU "green certificate" approach will be adopted by the UK.

Where is the US at on the concept of a vaccination passport/green certificate?

Here in Canada it seems that discussion has started but the "privacy" commissioners are already making noise about being careful with personal data.  I don't see an approach and a supporting system being in use in the near future.  In the meantime I have a piece of paper that says I got the first Moderna shot with a date for the second shot in July.  I wonder if the EU would feel this is sufficient proof.  Or, the UK?  So many unknowns.

[Mark Chaplin]

Mark I’m very interested to know which rules or guidelines I’ve broken - I strongly object to the landlady smoking in the pub - hugging is now “legal” as is shaking hands and driving a friend to the golf club, I use the NHS app to check in. Pretty much everyone i socialise with is double jabbed, life has to carry on plans those of us who pay tax now have to start paying the bill of covid.


What am I doing against the refs?

[jeffwarne]

So, any best estimates on how the UK may proceed vs.EU as far as vaccinated passengers?
and any sort've timing?
Amazing how much dated, conflicting info a Google search reveals.
Of course it could all depend how the US reciprocates/cooperates with a Vax passport and common sense simply isn't common anymore here.

[Daryl David]

Boris Johnson hopes that President Biden will agree to exempt vaccinated British and American travellers from quarantine restrictions.
They will meet at the G7 summit in Cornwall, which begins next week, and Johnson will push for a quarantine-free air corridor with the US.
Under one set of proposals, discussed with officials in Washington and Whitehall, people from the US who had received both jabs would not have to self-isolate on arrival here, even if the US was placed on the red list or remained on the amber list.
Plans circulated within government refer to a “green channel” being set up for “fully vaccinated individuals”.

The UK is hoping that people who want to holiday in the US would be given similar exemptions.

[Dan_Callahan]

For those who are more up to speed on these things than I am ... given the announcement of an easing of travel restrictions on July 19 ...

If I am fully vaccinated and have my vaccination card, does that mean I could fly to Ireland and be golfing a day later? Or will there still be testing and/or quarantine required?

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a trip in August, but am a little worried I misread some of the news and it won't be quite as relaxed as I'm thinking.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Dan, that’s the current plan as I understand it. Things change and it’s never entirely clear. But definitely looking more positive.

[Dan_Callahan]

Thanks, Ally.