Gran Alacant Forum

Gran Alacant Forum => Travel and Transport => Topic started by: BeachLife on November 24, 2020, 22:39.

Title: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: BeachLife on November 24, 2020, 22:39.
..... proof of having had a vaccination for COVID.

Sorry, that was a bit of "click-bait" - but today the Chief Executive of Qantas has said that "once a Covid 19 vaccine is readily available, proof that travelers have had the jab will be a non negotiable condition of flight.

Wonder when that will filter down to Ryanair and Spain ?

Mind you with the need for a (private) PCR test on the way to Spain and then - if you only want to quarantine for 7 instead of 14 days upon return another (private) PCR test adding about £280 per person for a return flight. There will only be a few hardy souls flying and business are going to have no chance this new year onwards

Good job the flights in Jan from BHX are now on £47 rtn
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: wilson on November 25, 2020, 22:46.
I think that many businesses that need customers to regain confidence will only accept vaccinated customers going forward.Whether that is an airline, cruise ship or a theatre. Whilst a test gives some confidence its like a car mot as in only good for that day. I personally would be happy to sit on a full flight with vaccinated people. Unfortunately the non vaccinated may find themselves social pariahs in the years ahead with businesses not wishing to risk dealing with them and the concerns that others would have knowing they were sat amongst them.
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: gaveteran on November 26, 2020, 09:02.
Very interesting...but how will you be able to prove it? A hologram/biometric card? Issued by who... and using what funds let alone what expertise!
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: Blue and white stripes on November 26, 2020, 13:21.
You'll probably prove it the same way as they check for locator forms at Alicante - with a quick scan of your phone.
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: BeachLife on November 26, 2020, 13:46.
B&W - you are right.

My neighbor who works in the Logistics side of the NHS says that there are talks ongoing about using the already established NHS tracking app that lots of people have. So that when you are vaccinated you will get a QR code that proves you have had it done. This is scannable by airlines down to restaurants etc to prove you have it.

Hope that's the case. Its no big deal then for me and my family for sure. We all have the app (even my 86 yo mum) on the phones so would be a natural progression. If you think about it - it would only be neeeded for a year or so as hopefully once we get past the magic 70% vaccinated (or have immunity from having it) we can take our foot of the gas as the virus will die out naturally.

I wonder what all the nutty "anti-vax ers" will do ? put themselves in bubble wrap and isolate for the rest of their days. 
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: wilson on November 26, 2020, 14:48.
Apparently the covid vaccines dont stop you catching the virus, but simply fight it once caught giving you protection from the nasty part. Theres a good possibility that vaccinated people will unknowingly spread it more as restrictions reduce. Therefore any non vaccinated person is going to at even greater risk going forward. The gold standard of vaccines is the sterilising type where the virus cant even get an initial toe hold so dies straight away. As for future checking on who is or not, all the technology is already used. Anyone travelling into the USA for example has given all the personal info prior for checking, then on arrival fingerprint and retinal scans, im sure a green vaccination tick shouldnt be to challenging to add.
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: ian-steele on November 27, 2020, 12:42.
ok, get it but if you don't have an iphone or app can you get a hard copy to show u have had the jab ?
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: Blue and white stripes on November 27, 2020, 16:53.
Having ploughed through every available web-site on the matter I have found nothing to suggest a hard copy won't be acceptable.
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: Blue and white stripes on November 27, 2020, 16:56.
Also on the Spanish locator form you have to tick whether you have had the test or not. Saying you have when you haven't could result in a 6000 euro fine.
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: DaveG on November 29, 2020, 12:56.
Just found this. reported in my paper yesterday. Interesting it's being developed by IATA and the British airways group.

https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-11-23-01/
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: DaveG on December 01, 2020, 21:54.
http://news.sky.com/story/easyjet-to-charge-for-overhead-luggage-to-improve-boarding-and-punctuality-12148127

To improve boarding and punctuality; and the accounts bottom line. Mr O'Leary missing a trick perhaps
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: sunseekers on December 08, 2020, 09:28.
Can anyone give any insight (particularly beachlife who has the neighbour in logistics and info about possible QR code) about what may happen for travel for those who are unable to have the vaccine because of being immune compromised. I have a grandson with Chrons disease (who would not get on a plane at the moment anyway and has hardly been anywhere since this began) and while there are trials with Astra Zeneca currently underway for a different method of treatment for those who are immune compromised, I wonder what will happen to him and many others if the QR code showing immunisation becomes the go to tool for access not only to travel but other areas too
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: BeachLife on December 09, 2020, 11:43.
Hi Sunseeker.

As I said its just a proposal at the moment. Obviously the vaccine records are held by the NHS and as there is understandably to stigmatize those that have not been vaccinated or declined the offer. The point of this thread was that certain airlines - in the is case Quantas are considering only flying those who have been vaccinated into Australia. I would think it highly unlikely that a vaccine passport would be necessary but as I said there is technology there now to produce a QR code from your NHS records showing that you have been vaccinated (or not)

There a are a lot of conspiracy theorists, flat earthers and COVID deniers that will point blank refuse to have the vaccine  - but hey its a free country. As a discussion point should they in the future be allowed to travel to areas that are COVID free ? 

It will be interesting times ahead for sure

footnote:

for Sunseeker regarding people with compromised immune systems due to illness or treatments

Can immunocompromised get Covid vaccines?

The risks and benefits for immunocompromised patients receiving a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine should be weighed on a case-by-case basis, with consideration of the incidence of infection in the community. This will depend on the approved vaccine formulation available, level of immunosuppression the patient has received

hematology.org
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: DaveG on December 10, 2020, 18:18.
From El Pais today.......................if all goes well with the Brexit negotiations the testing requirements to enter the mainland will be relaxed slightly with the choice of a TMA test or a PCR test.

https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-12-10/spain-changes-coronavirus-test-requirements-for-air-travelers-exempts-children-under-six.html

Also from today the Canaries will accept an antigen test rather than the PCR test

https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-12-10/spains-canary-islands-will-let-foreign-visitors-enter-with-an-antigen-test.html

All this testing is testing my patience.
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: BeachLife on December 10, 2020, 21:45.
I heard the same Dave - but a Google search around me in Warwickshire drew a blank for getting a private Rapid Antigen Test.

Stuck with these sort of prices at the moment - very expensive.

https://midlandhealth.co.uk/tests-and-diagnostics/covid-19/


Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: DaveG on December 10, 2020, 22:50.
Hi BL,
Manchester Airport do a variety of tests in collaboration with Boots, the antigen test costs £50. From the website it suggests EM Airport is in the same scheme if this is close to you.

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/coronavirus/testing/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=SFMC-Email&utm_campaign=INFO-MAN-20201203&utm_content=&sfmc_e=0031n00001ogbAUAAY&SFMC_JobId=154510

To pour cold water on this the Canaries have just been taken off the UK travel corridor, so it's quarantine on return. Are cases that bad there or is there some politicing going on?
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: Blue and white stripes on December 11, 2020, 11:55.
On-site TMA testing available at Manchester, East Midlands, Heathrow and Stanstead with a 90 minute turn around time. Let's hope they do the same at Birmingham although I'd still prefer to turn up at the airport with the certificate 'in my pocket'. The thought of joining 180 people at the airport waiting for a test and then the results frightens me.
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: BeachLife on December 11, 2020, 15:51.
Hi B&W

Just called this place in Solihull (Dickens Heath)

They will have the TMA kits in from Monday - £115

https://www.solihullhealthcheckclinic.co.uk/contact-us/


Big BUT though. Waiting to see if we can travel atall in January because of the Brexit mess - although Spain can override Brussels apparently (and probably will)
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: Blue and white stripes on December 11, 2020, 16:12.
These people are offering a PCR test + certificate for £99 in Birmingham, Bradford and Manchester with a 24 hour turn round. Isn't competition wonderful? Most clinics were charging £300 for a 24 turn round.

https://www.thefasttest.co.uk/services/covid-19-pcr-swab-test
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: BeachLife on December 13, 2020, 13:17.
Thanks B&W - £99 is certainly a bit more acceptable. The Solihull one is £115 as I said and may be handier for me to get to. Its not really clear where the Birmingham one is until you have paid.

Hanging fire on booking one now because I am not sure what the deal will be after the 1st Jan if Spain doesnt sort its own agreement out with the UK

Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: Blue and white stripes on December 14, 2020, 16:19.
The Spanish government has now updated it's webpage to include a TMA test as well as the PCR test

https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: chris and jackie on December 14, 2020, 18:19.
We’re hoping to come in March when hopefully the rates in both countries will be at a level to allow test & quarantine free travel which will mean travel insurance valid as EHIC cover will be no more
Title: Re: Want to travel in 2021 - you'll need .........
Post by: Blue and white stripes on December 14, 2020, 19:02.
Some friends of mine have just booked a return trip including a test for £109 each, the flights were £5 each way.