Help/advice U.K.-Spain travel Dec 2020/ Jan 21

[dessiato]

We need some up to date, accurate information about travelling as above.

Mrs Dess is due to fly Málaga-Heathrow-Edinburgh on 26th December. We know about the paperwork required to enter the U.K., that isn’t an issue. The problem is will she be allowed to do the Heathrow-Edinburgh part of the journey? Obviously she doesn’t want to get to LHR and be stuck there.

Then on the return, 9th January, she is due to fly Glasgow-Málaga. Again we know about the need for PCR tests etc to come home. (We have residencia and all the associated paperwork) But what’s the situation about flights from the U.K. being allowed in to Spain?

She needs to go home, her father’s not coping especially well at the moment and being alone (there is no other family) at Xmas won’t help. But, equally, we don’t want her to get stuck in Scotland unable to come home.

 

[bimble]

I don’t think anybody can answer that, any of the bits of it even, things are changing so fast right now. Have you contacted the airlines?

 

[Steel Icarus]

Things are moving so fast ATM Dess, if it were me I'd be unwilling to travel anywhere, hard as it is.

 

[dessiato]

I don’t think anybody can answer that, any of the bits of it even, things are changing so fast right now. Have you contacted the airlines?

This is the problem. There’s no clear information and, as you say, it is changing very quickly. The airlines have no specific information at the moment.

Mrs D is having a major worry about what to do for the best.

 

[bimble]

It’s really difficult but I think the choice right now is either cancel your plans or live with the uncertainty up until the last minute when you decide whether to go to airport or not.

 

[dessiato]

I told her I’d be very disappointed if she didn’t go, two weeks on my own, drinking beer at the beach... She wasn’t amused, so I said I’d ask here.

 

[dessiato]

It’s really difficult but I think the choice right now is either cancel your plans or live with the uncertainty up until the last minute when you decide whether to go to airport or not.

I think this is what we must do, just sit it out until the last minute.

 

[Looby]

If she comes she needs to be prepared to
1. Not be allowed to travel to Scotland, although if she can show she’s travelling for caring responsibilities she might get away with it.
2. Not be allowed to return to Spain for some time.
No-one knows what the situation is going to be like in Europe by Saturday and especially not in January.
If she’s not ok with either of those then she really should stay in Spain.

 

[LDC]

I think the trickiest bit might be the bit into Scotland from England tbh, they're being quite strict about enforcement for that from what I hear.

We're back on the brink of a very unstable and dangerous situation, and TBH my advice for anyone traveling would be to just stay where they are for the moment unless they're going somewhere for caring/emergency reasons.

 

[editor]

Given what's just happened to my ex yesterday - her flight was delayed/rescheduled and eventually cancelled until Jan 6th at the earliest - I'd say it's unlikely that the whole journey could be accomplished.

 

[The39thStep]

I read somehwere in the Portuguese news that the EU are likely to make a collective announcement/proposal re UK/EU travel sooner rather than later.

 

[quimcunx]

If she is able to travel on that date is she able to drive to scotland? Is she able to fly direct to scotland? And if she does go is she prepared to have to stay longer than planned?

I dont know what the rules are or will be but to me it makes sense for travel to be allowed to either get back to your native home/family or get back to your residence as long as you quarantine.

 

[dessiato]

Problem solved. Mrs Dess has decided not to go because of the restrictions Spain has put on flights. Too big a risk of not getting there and back.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

 

[zora]

I am so sorry for Mrs Dess and her dad.

 

[weltweit]

Problem solved. Mrs Dess has decided not to go because of the restrictions Spain has put on flights. Too big a risk of not getting there and back.

I think that is the only wise decision.

How heathy is her dad? Will he be there for next Christmas?

 

[dessiato]

I think that is the only wise decision.

How heathy is her dad? Will he be there for next Christmas?

He is physically quite fit but his mental health is suffering. His last remaining brother died last year, then his wife of 50+ years, then as he was needing support covid lockdown struck. To make things worse he has lost most of his sight so he can't read, which he loved, and TV is difficult.

There's only the two of them now.

 

[weltweit]

He is physically quite fit but his mental health is suffering. His last remaining brother died last year, then his wife of 50+ years, then as he was needing support covid lockdown struck. To make things worse he has lost most of his sight so he can't read, which he loved, and TV is difficult.

There's only the two of them now.

Oh, that is sad. Is he on his own at home? will he cope for Christmas and after? - I remember my dad was a much reduced person in his 80s after loosing my mum, he needed help. Hope your wife can at least keep in touch with long phone calls.

 

[dessiato]

Oh, that is sad. Is he on his own at home? will he cope for Christmas and after? - I remember my dad was a much reduced person in his 80s after loosing my mum, he needed help. Hope your wife can at least keep in touch with long phone calls.

Unfortunately he will be alone, Christmas, New Year, and his birthday. We are letting some friends know so hopefully he will go there for at least a meal.

We have a phone package that gives us 800 international minutes a month.

It's hurting Mrs Dess to have to do this but she will go ASAP.

 

[weltweit]

Unfortunately he will be alone, Christmas, New Year, and his birthday. We are letting some friends know so hopefully he will go there for at least a meal.

That would be something.

We have a phone package that gives us 800 international minutes a month.

If you run out of them, I use skype a lot for calling France, we always chat for hours, it doesn't cost much.

It's hurting Mrs Dess to have to do this but she will go ASAP.

I bet, she must feel helpless, not being permitted to go there, awful.

Sending best wishes to you, your wife and her dad!

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Best wishes to Mrs Dess and her dad. Agree its the sensible decision as the risk of getting stranded is very high.