France this summer?
I wonder how many people are considering a trip to France this summer in caravan or motorhome or are most people (like us) waiting to see whether the rules become more relaxed? As it stands, the requirement for testing in both countries is rather a deterrent.
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I think the key thing to consider will be whether France gives the UK the red card, or UK gives France the red card - both countries clearly have rapidly increasing COVID cases and thus the borders may just close.
That said - there is the choice of either a PCR or Rapid Antigen test which is significantly cheaper than a PCR with results almost instantly. Costs as low as £29. That instant response and a window of 48 hours to arrive in France, takes in my view a significant challenge away.
PCR tests it would seem are widely available in France - finding a pharmacy to give you a test at Euros 49 for a PCR is it seems very easy to me and if you buy an on line test for Day 2 in the UK - again it is cost effective if you take an Antigen test.
Total cost is therefore circa £100 per person which is not such a bad price for sunshine and a reasonable glass of vin rouge.
But - and a big but - is this perhaps the way things are going as we look to the future and the often heard comment from the briefing room of Number 10 that 'Covid is here to stay'?
We will go but it will be last minute in order to avoid getting caught in a last minute dash to Calais on the way home if that red card is shown.
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Not just France we should worry about
"Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca could be at risk of going back on the amber list, just weeks before schools close for the summer holidays.
The Balearic Islands have been among the most popular holiday destinations on the green list where returning Britons do not have to self-isolate.
But cases have tripled in Spain in just two weeks to 368 cases per 100,000 people, with more than 21,000 new cases on July 9."if Spain restrict travel within its internal borders, which it has done previously, being in Southern Spain could be a problem, and Northern Spain has the highest number of infections
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We did have a BF booking planned for the beginning of September but decided against before they took the rest of the payment, moving our deposit to one in May 22. Primarily our decision was based on the ongoing uncertainty both at this end and in France and the fact we wanted to get something booked up here while there was still reasonable choice. Wether we have made the right move only time will tell. Now have fingers crossed for some good weather here in September, as we did last year.
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Testing in both UK and France is already more relaxed-and cheaper.
A full PCR test before you go to France is no longer required and a simpler lateral flow test can now be had in UK for £29. For travel to Spain you don’t even need that.
A similar lateral flow test on the spot at a pharmacie in France before returning has a similar price - 29 euros.
A dearer day 2 PCR test is still required when back in UK but not the day 8 test any more.
Things are getting better.
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I think the key thing to consider will be whether France gives the UK the red card, or UK gives France the red card - both countries clearly have rapidly increasing COVID cases and thus the borders may just close.
I think that Spain is likely to be one of the first in EU to catch up with our daily infection rates.
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As far as I'm concerned it's not the "rules" it's whether it's sensible. I know 2 people who've come down with long covid - one for over a year now - and it is not something I would risk. Or risk giving to someone else. So I'm not travelling yet or indeed for the foreseeable.
It's only a holiday - they was some people talk you'd think it was life or death (which of course it may end up being for some). The main attraction of France to us anyway is freely mixing and talking to French people on campsites, in markets and in restaurants - none of which seem remotely possible at the moment.
So we've booked a couple of weeks on a CL near Cleethorpes!
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Buy British - catch your Covid at Cleethorpes instead of at Carentan.
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Yes we may be the most affected country in Europe, today, watch this space, but we are the country with the most people vaccinated, Spain are now struggling because apart from key workers under 30 yrs of age they have not yet started on this age group, whereas we are doing 18's, and it may look the safer option, but afraid people like Mr M. are not concerned with our safety, they are concerned re the numbers of unvaxed people who may prove positive and need hospital treatment or even die in their respective countries.
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I wonder whether all sites will be open as normal? Can’t be much business for them at present.
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Thats because the Brits won't be able to come as we will be in lockdown again in the Autumn/Winter with BoJo the clown handling of the situation and abandoning all the hard work we have all done. We need to unlock but not a free for all with mixed messages (again) regarding masks, meeting indoors/outdoors etc.
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Sites around us here are open and starting to look a bit busier but no UK outfits about yet although watching the tour de France spotted a UK reg Landrover parked up at the top of the mountain climbs, our nearest site had 1 dutch tent on it a few days ago so some way to go yet but it will be the annual rush to get south this weekend according to French news.
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Things are even better since I posted this morning. Now no ten day quarantine on returning from France or Spain into England.
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+1
Indeed AD, as the new avatar suggests, that is exactly what I've done. Having spent 40 odd years on sites (of all types) in the UK and then finally venturing 'over there' some years back, we have come to the conclusion our 'Utopia' is no longer on these shores. A trip to the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf is being planned this August with a view to permanently sighting in our favourite spot, subject of course, to travel restrictions.
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Sites are open as normal here in the Aude, and the two that we've visited recently have seemed pretty busy for the middle of July. Yesterday we celebrated, with friends, Bastille Day with a meal in the campsite restaurant, and were entertained by the Orchestra of the Four Winds ( a mixed generation orchestra from Cordes sur Ciel) ..... a fabulous night all round.
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Of course I'm just a simpleton, but why do some people think it's ok to travel to France and Spain when both are on the Amber list and the Govt advises against travel to Amber list countries? Are they, like the PM, exceptional and therefore rules and regulations don't apply to them? Like taxes, these inconveniences seem to be for the "little people".
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