14 day Quarantine
Paxing All Over The World
Thread Starter
This is edited down from The Independent today:
The UK’s border force has been labelled an “absolute disgrace” after passengers found they could enter the country without anyone checking that they had completed a contact form required by the government.
Dr Michael Crozier and his wife Lee, both of whom are retired journalists, flew to Girona in Spain on 14 July, returning into Stansted airport on 18 July.
On the outward leg, there were plenty of checks in place, says Dr Crozier. “We filled in the Spanish health control and locator form and obtained the QR Code to show on arrival,” he tells The Independent. “At Girona, the QR code or print-out was scanned and there were six medical staff for our half-full flight FR9802 (the only one arriving that evening), ready to take temperatures and treat passengers accordingly if needed.”
However, it was a different story on the return journey. The pair had completed the online passenger locator form 48 hours before arriving into the UK in line with Foreign Office rules. “You will need to show your completed form when you arrive at the UK border, either by printing a copy, or showing it on your phone,” reads the guidance.
Dr Crozier was therefore surprised to find that not a single airport or government employee asked to see the form. “We and our fellow passengers from three other flights went through passport control with no one asking to see proof we had completed the passenger locator forms, and, of course, no temperature checks or any sign of any medical monitoring staff,” he says.
Stansted airport said temperature and medical checks were currently not required by the government, and said passenger locator form checks were the responsibility of border force officials, not airport staff.
“Passengers should complete the form before arriving at the airport – it can be done 48 hours before flying – and is checked as part of the inspection at the border but there is also an opportunity to complete it at the airport if passengers haven’t already done so,” said a spokesperson for the airport.
The Independent has contacted the Home Office, which is responsible for border force, for comment.
Dr Michael Crozier and his wife Lee, both of whom are retired journalists, flew to Girona in Spain on 14 July, returning into Stansted airport on 18 July.
On the outward leg, there were plenty of checks in place, says Dr Crozier. “We filled in the Spanish health control and locator form and obtained the QR Code to show on arrival,” he tells The Independent. “At Girona, the QR code or print-out was scanned and there were six medical staff for our half-full flight FR9802 (the only one arriving that evening), ready to take temperatures and treat passengers accordingly if needed.”
However, it was a different story on the return journey. The pair had completed the online passenger locator form 48 hours before arriving into the UK in line with Foreign Office rules. “You will need to show your completed form when you arrive at the UK border, either by printing a copy, or showing it on your phone,” reads the guidance.
Dr Crozier was therefore surprised to find that not a single airport or government employee asked to see the form. “We and our fellow passengers from three other flights went through passport control with no one asking to see proof we had completed the passenger locator forms, and, of course, no temperature checks or any sign of any medical monitoring staff,” he says.
Stansted airport said temperature and medical checks were currently not required by the government, and said passenger locator form checks were the responsibility of border force officials, not airport staff.
“Passengers should complete the form before arriving at the airport – it can be done 48 hours before flying – and is checked as part of the inspection at the border but there is also an opportunity to complete it at the airport if passengers haven’t already done so,” said a spokesperson for the airport.
The Independent has contacted the Home Office, which is responsible for border force, for comment.
No one wants to get involved - they all know it's a political fig-leaf - lots of parcel passing going on - no clear guidance, no extra staff or money
Paxing All Over The World
Thread Starter
A friend of mine has pointed out the number of Covid 19 related deaths in the UK in the past week and the number in Spain. Now, it is possible that Spain is working on the infection rate and that might be rising in a way to indicate more deaths might follow in a few weeks time. Unfortunately, we shall never know.
Dr Crozier was therefore surprised to find that not a single airport or government employee asked to see the form. “We and our fellow passengers from three other flights went through passport control with no one asking to see proof we had completed the passenger locator forms, and, of course, no temperature checks or any sign of any medical monitoring staff,” he says.
If it's like API, and the answer is "No", then whether you show it or not at the UK Border is largely irrelevant as your details will already be on the system.
Apparently there's a possibility that both France and Germany might make it onto the list by the FCO. I hope not, because there's going to be a lot of people unable to get to work (assuming they can't WFH) if that's going to be the case.
Son of Slot
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No need to apologise for rant LookingForAJob, it is a ranting kind of year. During this crisis, I am happy to be more flexible on the usual PPRuNe rules.
Paxing All Over The World
Thread Starter
Five more countries have been added to the quarantine exemption list – Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The so-called 'travel corridors' pose “a reduced risk to the public health of UK citizens”, according to the Department for Transport. However, the list remains “under constant review”.
The so-called 'travel corridors' pose “a reduced risk to the public health of UK citizens”, according to the Department for Transport. However, the list remains “under constant review”.
^
I think the "eat out to save jobs in the restaurant trade" poses a bigger risk than not self-quarantining when returning to the UK from Spain or Belgium, TBH.
People in groups passing by other groups, cutlery and plates that one hopes are properly disinfected between different users handling them etc etc. Surely to minimise the risk when eating out, it should be "hand-held food" such as burgers and fries
I think the "eat out to save jobs in the restaurant trade" poses a bigger risk than not self-quarantining when returning to the UK from Spain or Belgium, TBH.
People in groups passing by other groups, cutlery and plates that one hopes are properly disinfected between different users handling them etc etc. Surely to minimise the risk when eating out, it should be "hand-held food" such as burgers and fries
6 more countries to be added from tomorrow, 15 August. This includes France and the Netherlands.
I wonder how often the list is reviewed with the intention of removing countries rather than adding them?
I wonder how often the list is reviewed with the intention of removing countries rather than adding them?
^
I hope Germany stays on the "exempt from Q" list; I'm supposed to be flying there in 2 weeks' time ! I've been following their reports as best as I can (not speaking or understanding the language) and it looks "promising" so long as basic rules and common sense are followed... but in the present climate, I am prepared for last-minute cancellation. It's so difficult to know where a "spike" may occur and when, as New Zealand recently demonstrated.
I do wonder though what has to be done for the UK to remove "Q" status from a country that they only recently awarded it to
I hope Germany stays on the "exempt from Q" list; I'm supposed to be flying there in 2 weeks' time ! I've been following their reports as best as I can (not speaking or understanding the language) and it looks "promising" so long as basic rules and common sense are followed... but in the present climate, I am prepared for last-minute cancellation. It's so difficult to know where a "spike" may occur and when, as New Zealand recently demonstrated.
I do wonder though what has to be done for the UK to remove "Q" status from a country that they only recently awarded it to
... and another "interesting" thing:
How is it, at the time of writing this, that it is perfectly OK to return to the UK from France (or The Netherlands) without having to go into quarantine, yet from 4am tomorrow morning, suddenly it is "dangerous" and you do need to go into quarantine? Surely if an announcement is made, then the change in requirement should take place immediately?
How is it, at the time of writing this, that it is perfectly OK to return to the UK from France (or The Netherlands) without having to go into quarantine, yet from 4am tomorrow morning, suddenly it is "dangerous" and you do need to go into quarantine? Surely if an announcement is made, then the change in requirement should take place immediately?
A bit cross about this. Had planned a trip from Fance to UK in September. Got onto Brittany Ferries to see what I could sort out with the bookings. Pleasantly surprised to be offered a new booking to any dates of my choice which I could change as often as i needed to, no fees. Refund available if i wanted, but there would have been a charge. Bearing in mind that the boat isn't cancelled that seems fair. Now deciding where to go instead.
Any ideas? Camper van, starting from near Poitiers. Probably staying within France, only one driver. Any really good greenways for a decent bike ride?
Any ideas? Camper van, starting from near Poitiers. Probably staying within France, only one driver. Any really good greenways for a decent bike ride?
Try looking around the Marais Poitevin for cycling routes. (https://www.af3v.org/les-voies-verte...rais-poitevin/ is a starting point.)
https://www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com/itineraires-velo
https://www.routeyou.com/fr-fr/locat...eraires-a-velo
https://www.deux-sevres.fr/nos-missi...ires-cyclables
You might like to explore the Forest of Mervent-Vouvant, La Rochelle and the coast and the Ile de Ré, and for something different, the Futuroscope Park near Poitiers is unique. You'll have a lovely time in this relatively-unexplored part of France ... and good food and wine too! Bonne Route!
https://www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com/itineraires-velo
https://www.routeyou.com/fr-fr/locat...eraires-a-velo
https://www.deux-sevres.fr/nos-missi...ires-cyclables
You might like to explore the Forest of Mervent-Vouvant, La Rochelle and the coast and the Ile de Ré, and for something different, the Futuroscope Park near Poitiers is unique. You'll have a lovely time in this relatively-unexplored part of France ... and good food and wine too! Bonne Route!
You're most welcome! Sometimes ... sometimes! ... the pandemic has shown me ways of life or beautiful places near where we live which I've never known about or taken the time to explore. I have benefited from this so much in Alsace on canal and riverside walks, even when limited geographically to initially 1 km and then 100 km from mu place of residence!
Profitez bien mais prenez soin quand-même!
Profitez bien mais prenez soin quand-même!
