DON'T USE THE BLF " EXEMPT FROM WEARING A FACE MASK " DOCUMENT AT AIRPORTS !! ........AND DON'T TRUST ALL " TESTING " RESULTS EITHER

[vittorio]

Yes folks , as you may know , this Document is issued by the " British Lung Foundation " ......as we , who have COPD and EMPHYSEMIA Etc have difficulties enough in breathing , - wearing these "Covid " masks makes it almost impossible .. .... but on my return from Sicily, a few days ago , I was nearly stopped getting on the Aircraft for not wearing one , I showed them the "BLF " CARD , and was told , this card was no longer recognized , in European Countries , and that a " Certificate or letter from your Doctor " Exempting you for medical reasons " is now required .........- I just about got away with it on this occasion. AND BEWARE ..... not all " COVID " TESTS CAN BE TRUSTED EITHER ......... I was " Tested " at the " Catania " AIRPORT before being allowed to leave it .... _ " POSITIVE ", was the result ) = "THAT WILL BE 85 EUROS PLEASE " ......... ..so I had stay a few more days under Italy's regulations ...... LOST MY FLIGHT , my car was being looked after by a company near Gatwick Airport , and had to pay extra money for extra " looking after " etc , - MORE EXPENSE ETC , .... I then had to have yet ANOTHER " TEST " , ( £ 50.00 please ) . AND THAT WAS FOUND TO BE = " NEGATIVE " .... and I was told , = the previous " POSITIVE " TEST RESULT WAS A ...=... " A MISTAKE " ......., AND THERE WAS NO RECOURSE TO GETTING ALL MY EXPENCES BACK AS A RESULT ...............BEWARE FOLKS , ......... AND FOR A FURTHER £ 50.00 , - A DAY LATER UPON ARRIVAL IN LONDON , I HAD TO TAKE YET ANOTHER GOVERNMENT " TEST " ,,,,,THIS WHOLE COVID AFFAIR IS TURNING INTO A MONEY MAKING RACKET UNDER THE GUISE OF " MEDICAL PREVENTION " ...................... " CARRY ON COVID " .... (.might make an amusing comedy film one day .....)

[sassy59]

Oh dear Vittorio, sorry to hear of your problems. I don’t think the BLF exemption certificate is meant for use abroad. It was just to use in shops and similar places if challenged for not wearing a mask. The cost of testing can be costly unfortunately and it’s not great if you had a positive result in error. Hope that never happens to you again. Stay safe and well. Xxx💜

[CDPO16]

Sorry you had problems but I tend to agree with sassy about the BLF exemption being intended for use in UK shops etc. As far as I know doctors here will not issue exemption letters. Perhaps in other countries they will.

You did well if you were allowed to fly to Sicily without wearing a mask. Hope you had a good holiday.

[Carol_ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation]

Hi vittorio, sorry to hear of your recent experience whilst travelling. Our facemask exemption cards where only to help people explain why they are not wearing masks, they were never intended to be used as a exemption for flying or travelling to other countries. Please see link for more information blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

[Caspiana]

I'm a bit surprised you thought the BLF exemption badge could be used for aeroplane travel, especially across international borders. The simple fact of the matter is if you cross into any country they will want you tested and rightly so. 🤔

[skischool]

Sorry almost laughable that you consider wearing a mask a terrible inconvenience whilst traveling abroad,the fact that you have the ability to even do so pales into insignifacance whilst other here even sometimes struggle to put out the refuse bins.i think maybe you need to put things into perspective?

🙃

[Caspiana in reply to skischool]

Well said.

[mylungshateme in reply to skischool]

Couldn't have put it better myself to be honest. And if one does go abroad you have to allow extra money to allow for potential quarantine, lockdown, different flights, tests etc it's just the way it is. Just my view anyway hence why not travelling abroad! Plus the thought of being in that tight space with that many people breathing the same air fills me with dread! 🥴😆x

[teddyd]

I think if flying there is a lot of correct information that is required so research is a must. I dont think others can be blamed its up to the individual to gather the info.I dont think being asked to wear a mask is a great inconvenience . I have no intention of going abroad anytime soon as I think the additional stress of tests, extra paperwork etc etc is too much for me . Wearing a mask is the least stressful part.

I would also be classed as exempt but for the safety of others and myself I would wear one. My rule has been I only go to places that I believe I could tolerate wearing a mask.

[mylungshateme in reply to teddyd]

Agree 100% x

[Anselm198]

I think your main point is really valid. A false positive seems a bit too convenient and a very helpful way for governments to make additional money from tourists. I wish I could think of a solution other than staycations.

[Christina-59]

My brother in law had the same problem coming back from Cyprus. You're home now sweetheart so that counts for something. Have a beautiful and blessed day👍

[Lfcpremier]

So stressful & expensive. Agree people are cashing in, & we the consumers pay the price. 😣

[skischool]

Please note Vittorio my reply was not a personal pop at you as i know you where visiting family. But during this time of pandemic foreign travel is a luxury that will inevitably come at great expense and inconvenience. 🙃

[Ergendl]

How awful, vittorio.

[Maximonkey]

Hi Vittorio, I am so sorry you had such negative experiences. We went to Tenerife on 3rd Dec and of course the rules changed which meant we had to have a further Covid test before leaving Spain. We found this without problems, yes it cost us £80 for two for the Covid test and £8 for the relocation forms but it was worth it to have a holiday in the sunshine. As for the BLF exemption certificate not being recognised I bought a Sunflower lanyard with an exemption from face mask card. It is not recognised by the airports nor the travel companies but it is Internationally recognised, when we arrived at our hotel I was wearing my lanyard and the reception staff told me there and then that if I did not want to wear a mask anywhere in the hotel I could, as I was exempt. I did wearr my mask in the lifts but elsewhere I didnt and it was so nice to not be challenged by anyone. Friends we met at the hotel were wearing Scottish lanyards which are not internationally accepted and they were told they had to wear masks indoors. Maybe you should invest in the Sunflower lanyard. Take care, Maximonkey

[Hidden]

Think yourself lucky not going in/out of thailand they have a massive fiddle going on showing positive when negative to get cash out of you there using others to do test then saying your positive and charge you a lot!

[Alberta56]

Sorry you had such a rotten experience.