Holidays abroad illegal from Monday 23rd March

It doesn't matter what your 'reasons' are for wanting to travel. As my mother would say, 'wanting isn't needing', and if it is dangerous to go abroad, then nobody should be able to travel.

As soon as we start prioritising one group's wants over another, it all becomes untenable, as one person's wants are as important as another's.

In actual need, such as travel for urgent medical treatment, maybe there could be exemptions, but only rarely, and on a case by case basis.

Sadly GrannyGravy there are always going to be people who we think should be exempted, where does it end. I live in France so haven't seen my family since 2019 along with many many more people. I don't expect to be exempted yet.

Crossed posts Doodledog I agree completely.

Exactly Doodledog. Couldn't agree more. It WAS very hard at Christmas, when I realised with only 2 days notice that I couldn't go home to the UK to see family, but despite being upset, I understood.

The title of the OP is wrong.It will be Monday 29th March but this is only if MP’s vote for it ( on Thursday I think.)
So it’s jumping the gun at the moment.
If it does come into law, it could well be a really good move as the last thing we need are holiday makers bringing more Covid cases here.
The new laws to be voted on include allowing protests to go ahead ( to be exempt.)

What a bunch of idiots we are putting up with this crap. You can't have anyone in your house unless it's a housekeeper/cleaner/nanny/tutor, you can't go away unless it's to pretend to care for your second home, you can't travel back from abroad unless you are a high value earner. I am sure there is more. But please don't visit your elderly Mother in frail health or sit with a dying relative, we can't have that!

I don't mind the banning of travel for holidays abroad by the way. I mind that it is always two tier

I am sure that those of us with families abroad are not looking for special treatment .

We have been under house arrest and living under restrictions for one year over half the population have been vaccinated, the virus is not going to miraculously disappear we have to learn to live with it and make our own risk assessments.

It is rare that lemongrove and I agree on something. But I do agree with her. The virus doesn't travel. People make it travel. No travel, much less virus.

OTHER COUNTRIES haven't been vaccinated GG13. Neither have most Brits. That is the point. You may be ok if vaccinated. You can get covid and recover. But the person you give it to when you return may not.

I am in your position so I do know how you feel. Doesn't make it OK to have exemptions.

The need to want to see your relatives is different from 'needing a holiday' or 'visiting property', we all want to see our relatives I imagine.

Why can people see their cleaners but not their Mothers?
Why can a resident in a care home see 15 different carers but can't see their son or daughter?
This can't just be about virus control

Can you trust people to do their own thing? Sensibly? Really?
I don’t have that faith and it only takes a few, and their poor decisions affect everyone else.
At some point in future of course, but not now.

I too am puzzled by the 'preparing second homes to rent'. We have a second home just across the Channel in Normandy, which we have never rented out, It has now gone through a whole winter without occupation and warmth. Someone is checking it regularly, but I am still worried about mildew and mould in the bedding etc.

Should I arrange a couple of rents in order to be able to go there?

Actually I am in complete agreement with dragonfly46 when she says that those with family overseas , should have priority over second home owners.

In truth, it should be all or none as COVID does not check on why you are travelling before infecting you.

The second home thing is a godsend to the Made in Chelsea characters among others. And will the “influencers “ still be exempt as they are travelling for work ?

To be fair JaneJudge I was allowed to sit with my dying mum for three days last week in the care home. In that respect things have improved.

People can’t distinguish between want and need.

Oh for a world where people could make that judgement “I won’t travel this year because I dont need to”.

Instead of looking for excuses to get what they want

Our second home in Wales has not been occupied for over a year it's for sale. On the home front cleaners are a priority over loved ones? We cannot see our families indoors still even though we have all followed the rules. But those who have cleaners can have them in their home what a load of bxxxxxxt!

Dragonfly ?
GagaJo, you are very stoic in your attitude, and I admire you for it. Also Sodapop. I’m not sure I would be as brave in your situation.

IMO there should be no exceptions for holiday homes or visiting family abroad. Our son is in Aus. so I know how hard it is but we're an island and our best protection at this time is for our borders to be closed.

You're spot on Lillie. We owned a property in Florida and had a management team who looked after it in our absence through out the year including a weekly pool service.

It's good that the government has taken this decision but allowing people to go abroad because they own a property over seas is a mistake IMO.

JaneJudge

Why can people see their cleaners but not their Mothers?
Why can a resident in a care home see 15 different carers but can't see their son or daughter?
This can't just be about virus control

Good point JJ.

Actually, we are allowed to go abroad to visit the dying. Aren’t we ALL dying ??

?

My doctor nephew has spent the last three months treating people who met up with their families at Christmas, Redhead. For the last time. People are still dying.

You’re staying apart for all of you, not just because it’s the rules. It’s not bxxxt. Believe me.

Why are people looking for ‘ways round”?

Do we still not get it?

Apologies if my comment seemed crass dragonfly. I didn’t see your post about the death of your mum.
?

My post was only a joke.

I too am puzzled by the 'preparing second homes to rent'.

You cannot be serious, MOnica?

You really don't know why this exemption is being proposed?

Think 'Stanley Johnson', 'Greece', 'holiday home'... It then becomes completely clear.