back from a short "covid trip" observations

[haganap]

Ok, so I posted on another thread called France is amber/green/blue/ rainbow colored about my determination to get to Frankfurt Germany to do the European Ironman championship.

All be it, I done this in the car but some observations for those wishing to trip abroad.

Firstly, on the way out. this of course was a short trip, Out Tuesday night, back Monday night.

We arrived at Dover and approached the passport control people of France. They asked us for passports and we had them stamped. They then asked us for our "covid pass". At this point I duly flashed a piece of paper at them. They never checked it and didn't seem bothered and away we went on to the ferry. The ferry was so quiet and quieter than I have seen in 30 years of crossing the channel.

On the other side we just sailed through and hit the road. We didn't go through Belgium because we still were not allowed and instead headed to Reims for the night in a hotel. Short stop and away we went, we were not asked for anything and within the hotel it was like they had never heard of Covid.

We drove through to Germany, over the border, no checks of any sort and arrived in Frankfurt to our hotel. Germans appear really sensible about the whole thing, taking personal responsibility, no mask wearing was mandatory for the most part but in shopping centers and crowded places, most chose too.
We were tested in Germany for free for our 3 day return test so no cost and the centers are available all over the place. Germans are not stepping forward for testing (antidotal) unless they feel ill. They were really helpful at the test center and email all filled out and good to go for the return trip.

The event itself was great, not much mask wearing going on among spectators and again most people taking their own responsibility.

We headed back after the event and headed back through France. We stopped for the devils dinner that some will call a MacDonald's. When in the restaurant the young lady asked me for my covid vaccination status. I used what I had on the NHS app and she scanned it and it immediately showed I was allowed to eat. Quite ironic that you have to prove you have been vaccinated against an illness that is less likely to kill me than the high sugar high salt crap that McDonalds sell.
So in essence the covid app from the UK works in France

got to the Ferry terminal and after a long delay got to the P&O terminal office, had to show Passenger locator form, Covid Vac status and then previous test result. The receptionist was panicking as too was I. Be warned, both her and border control told me they had turned lots of people around for not having the right docs. Even things like ferry you are crossing on not named correctly.

Eventually got home, now I have two tests ready to take that we paid £48 for but actually do not need to actually take. All I needed was the actual numbers on the test boxed.

Personally, I won't be going again until we stop all this testing nonsense. Example, I took a fit to travel test 2 days before standing amongst 1800 other competitors? what's the point of that? add that to the fact I will only test on arrival home on good will, whats the point.

for a short trip it's way too much hassle filling in paperwork, says he who is off to Portugal for 4 nights in 9 weeks for Ironman Portugal.

 

[Figaro]

Eventually got home, now I have two tests ready to take that we paid £48 for but actually do not need to actually take. All I needed was the actual numbers on the test boxed.

Why will you not need to do the day 2 PCR test, I thought it was compulsory ?

Edit : I think these measures are with us for a few years so we better get used to them

 

[glenn2926]

Why will you not need to do the day 2 PCR test, I thought it was compulsory ?

Edit : I think these measures are with us for a few years so we better get used to them

As far as I’m aware you only have to buy the tests. You don’t actually have to use them. Which just goes to prove it’s all about someone, somewhere making money and nothing to do with keeping healthy.

 

[glenn2926]

Eventually got home, now I have two tests ready to take that we paid £48 for but actually do not need to actually take. All I needed was the actual numbers on the test boxed.

I hope you can help me out here. I have two tests here now that I have bought for the day 2 test when we return from France next month. What are these numbers that we need on the test boxes? Also who needs to see them?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Figaro]

What are these numbers that we need on the test boxes? Also who needs to see them?

The numbers are needed for the passenger locator form required for entry into the UK

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[glenn2926]

The numbers are needed for the passenger locator form required for entry into the UK

So we need the numbers from the tests before we go away? Is this correct? Seems a bit weird as we don’t need the test until 2 days after we return. It would also appear that we don’t even need to take the test, just to have paid for it.

 

[Landy Andy]

So we need the numbers from the tests before we go away?

No. You need the test numbers before you return.

Many people, us included, buy them before we leave just so that we are prepared, and will that way have the numbers in advance. You can order them whilst your away, and upon ordering them, the supplier will issue you the required test numbers on the receipt.

Also as I read the info the day 2 PCR Test must be done, it’s not optional.

 

[EuroTrotters]

My humble opinion.

Mostly a crock of sh1t.

All running scared of a virus that was never going to wipe us all out.

I have never said the virus was never real.
We Have lost loved ones to it.
We have like many have paid my taxes to waste money on nightingale hospitals (I have first hand knowledge of this costs of that as we were partially involved or should I say a victim of the lack of gas cylinders).
We have paid a fortune in order to travel and fund the Pharma giants to test us
We Have suffered like many others as a result of our Governments poor handling of the situation
I could go on .......

But a lot of us feel the same. Governed and controlled by the governments and medical professors.

Where are the burning pyres of India in the news?
Now we are focused on Afghanistan!
Why is China Racing Forward with a Booming economy ?
Now we have the Climate Crisis !

Well at least it gives us a break from COVID 19 Stats and the bullsh1t figures

I took my grandson to his football training match the other night, the first for a long time. I managed to get 45 minutes into the 60 alongside parents without the "C" word. Then it started...."we have had covid" "He's been tested" "we have all been Tested". "my mum had covid". "he's got Covid" "she's got Covid" he had the first Covid" "I've had it twice (I assume she meant Covid19). Seriously, to was like #COVIDOFF.

And the best one, "He/She got covid off (insert relative, friend partner). How the feck they know it didn't come off a Tesco trolley is beyond me. Why do I question this? .. Because..."Shaz lives with Baz. But she's had it and he hasn't !"

The children enjoyed the football though and I am grateful its the only "C" word I don't hear.

I hope your trip was safe and enjoyable and you have many happy and safe travels......especially haganap loved the last paragraph

 

[glenn2926]

We have received our tests (we don’t go until 12 September) I can find any numbers on either them or any email from the company we bought them from. Do I need to email the company to ask for these numbers?

 

[haganap]

We have received our tests (we don’t go until 12 September) I can find any numbers on either them or any email from the company we bought them from. Do I need to email the company to ask for these numbers?

Each company may be different. But we got emailed our numbers about 4 days before we were due to return. You ahve to put teh date of your return when you book the test.

As for those saying it's compulsory and it must be done. I don't doubt that at all. However, me being me am not going to take the Randox one that I paid £48 on. I am due a PCR Test every Wednesday anyway through my work in Health & Social care. I am therefore going to do that and report back if there was any comeback from not doing the numbered test that I needed for the PLF.

Anyone who can't see that this is nothing more than a complete money making money grabbing farce needs to get some Optrex out. In Germany speaking with those I did, they think we are bonkers over here.

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[dunnah01]

However, me being me am not going to take the Randox one that I paid £48 on. I am due a PCR Test every Wednesday anyway through my work in Health & Social care. I am therefore going to do that and report back if there was any comeback from not doing the numbered test that I needed for the PLF.

I'm not sure somebody in your sector should be encouraging people not to take the tests if they can get away with it.

 

[haganap]

I'm not sure somebody in your sector should be encouraging people not to take the tests if they can get away with it.

you know nothing about me and I you.

Also I am not sure where you see me encouraging anyone. I am merely stating a fact regarding the incompetency of the whole testing money making regime.

However, if you want to look at "mass testing" ask yourself why Germany is actually stopping mass testing and switching to symptomatic testing only as per the most recent scientific advice.