What are the current rules?

[Derek]

Anyone know if you can currently drive through France into Spain and the onto GA?

Derek

[DaveG]

There is no problem getting to and across France and maybe even over the border, then the problems start. Regional borders are still closed but due to be reviewed (I think on the 13th or thereabouts). The quote below is from El Pais today regarding the Christmas period.

Despite the appeal to avoid travel, the plan will allow movement across regional lines between December 23 and January 6, as long as these trips are made to visit relatives or close friends. Illa said that this definition includes not only direct family members but also people with whom “strong bonds of affection” exist. Outside of these exceptions, borders are to remain sealed according to the plan.

I've driven across Spain in the last two lockdowns and never seen a policeman never mind a regional border check but was always coming back to UK as was allowed, don't think I'd chance the other way.

Dave

[DaveG]

Reading the PM's quote closer, it may be worth a chance if there is someone in GA with whom  you have a "strong bond of affection".

In my case various bar and restaurant owners; do they count?

Dave

[Blue and white stripes]

Taken from the French government website this morning, valid from 28.11.20

Lockdown measures are currently in force in metropolitan France and Martinique. You may only leave your residence for the following reasons and with an exemption certificate:
Commuting to and from work, school or training place; carrying out essential business trips that cannot be postponed; sitting exams;
Trips to businesses that are open, or to collect an order;
Medical appointments that cannot be carried out remotely or postponed;
Essential family reasons, assisting vulnerable persons, persons in a precarious situation or taking care of children;
Persons with a disability and their accompanying person
Individual outdoor exercise, walks with members of your household only or with pets, within 20 km of your residence and for no longer than three hours
Judicial or administrative summons; appointments for a public service;
Participating in a mission of general interest upon request from an administrative authority
Taking children to and from school or after-school activities.

You may not travel between different parts of France

Internal European borders will remain open but external borders are closed except for essential travel. All travelers arriving in France will be tested at airports and ports.

Masks must be worn at all times in public transport.

[Derek]

Hi

Thanks for the info. Looks like it is a no go for some time.

Derek

[DaveG]

Cheers BL, I hadn't kept up with the French rules; they are due to be reviewed on the 15th although the Spanish situation is the real block even if the French relax things.

I believe you can still fly into ALC with a negative pcr test,  Manchester Airport in collaboration with Boots are offering them for £90. Choose dates wisely and you can get a one way for £25.99 with RYR plus the test. You may want to go before the 737 Max comes on stream.

[Blue and white stripes]

The only legal way at the moment to get to GA is to land at Alicante airport. You can't cross between the different autonomous regions in Spain so at the moment if you entered via France, Portugal, Andorra or Gibraltar you still can't get to GA.

[BeachLife]

Even cheaper now Dave - B&W bet you have snapped up a couple of these (£12.99 each way)

Cheers BL, I hadn't kept up with the French rules; they are due to be reviewed on the 15th although the Spanish situation is the real block even if the French relax things.

I believe you can still fly into ALC with a negative pcr test,  Manchester Airport in collaboration with Boots are offering them for £90. Choose dates wisely and you can get a one way for £25.99 with RYR plus the test. You may want to go before the 737 Max comes on stream.

[wilson]

Interesting that Ryanair is buying the max, ive never considered myself a nervous flyer but a plane that thinks for itself and overrides the human pilot does make me slightly twitchy.

[DaveG]

Hi BL, yes same from Manchester, just can't force myself to book anything with all the uncertainty.

Wilson, the 737 max has 11 more seats and is 16% more fuel efficient, you would expect it to be the safest plane flying but as one pilot said "pushing the nose down on takeoff is a bit counter intuitive". Like you I would feel a bit nervous until cruising.

[Derek]

Once I was nervous when flying out of Bristol to Alicante. The Pilot came over the tannoy to tell us that they had trouble with the rudder and was returning to Bristol. We turned around and started our decent. He then came on the tannoy again and said it had been decided to divert to Stanstead airport as they had a spare aircraft there. We turned around again and on approaching Stanstead the pilot came into the cabin and said that we were not to be alarmed as they would be making an emergency landing and we might see blue flashing lights as we touched down. Once landed the engineers came on broad and after about an hour the plan was given the all clear with the pilot telling us it was a computer error. I was in such a state by then I asked to get off as I had had enough stress for one day. The Pilot and crew attempted to reassure me that we were safe to resume the flight. Off we took only to have the pilot back on the tannoy saying the fault had redeveloped but they were going to continue the journey and get the fault fixed on arrival at Alicante.

Never have I been so pleased to arrive at my destination.

Derek

[Tony Gillam]

On a flight back to the UK from Charlotte NC a glitch appeared on the instrument panel as we lined up for take off. We sat for about half an hour while they fiddled with all the switches and they eventually managed to clear the fault. By that time the pilot decided he needed a few more gallons of fuel to take account of the time spent sitting with the engines running so we trundled back to the terminal for a top up. Eventually left about an hour late. I must have been reasonably relaxed about it as I fell asleep not long after leaving and didn't wake up until dawn was breaking as we crossed the Irish sea.

[chris and jackie]

May not be allowed into EU after 31/12 so current rules won’t matter!!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55256248

[Blue and white stripes]

I think (and hope) a 'travel corridor' will suddenly appear between the UK and Spain as Spain needs our money.

[DaveG]

I'll see your travel corridor and raise you some fish?

As I said after the Brexit vote - look out for unintended consequences.