Has anyone travelled abroad yet?

[gr95]

Just wondered if people have travelled abroad since 2020 or more recently and if so how was it? The transportation and safety of covid and such?

[Hidden]

Hi I've been twice to Cyprus. Stayed in a relative's house and fed stray cats. It has been a godsend. I wasn't too worried about catching anything. It was lovely being outdoors and the people are very kind there. Airport was very quiet. 🌠

[gr95 in reply to Hidden]

Ah okay - did you eat at restaurants and go indoors to certain attractions?

If you don’t mind me asking what meds are you on and age perhaps?

[Hidden in reply to gr95]

Hi I'm not in the shielding category...just the slightly increased risk group but I wasn't worried. Weirdly I get claustrophobia and was actually worse with restrictions if that makes sense. However I try to understand different circumstances. Yes I ate out...great thing about abroad is all the open air bars and restaurants with terraces, of course.

We cooked a lot in the house, which I enjoy. Cyprus meals out are huge so we varied it. Lovely tavernas.

I'm early 50s on imraldi biologic for PsA and psoriasis. Also have inner ear probs and vertigo. Had a few vertigo attacks there which knocked a few days off...but still worth it.

I didn't go to anything indoors, wasn't avoiding, just the way it was...happy sitting out and walking along the front at Paphos. I deleted the cat part (cat obsessed). The heat was good for the joints 👍 xx

[Potatos]

I went skiing in Austria in early February. Masks were expected on flights if not eating or drinking, in reality some people ordered a drink and nursed it for the flight so they didn't need to wear a mask. Queues in the airport not even close to socially distant. At the time Austria had FFP2 masks in all areas you could not be 2m apart, indoors or outdoors, and covid pass checks for all indoor venues. We did find though as soon as the checks were done you were sat right next to people in cafes and restaurants. I don't know what the rules are now. I didn't feel more or less safe than in Britain, their rules were different so I kept to them. If you are concerned about catching Covid the air journey and coach transfer was where I felt it was most likely to happen. But also, the nature of being on holiday means you make many more interactions with people you do not know. I'm glad I went, the experience was different to normal but worth it for the fantastic pistes! I had covid in January, if I hadn't I might have been more apprehensive but would have gone anyway as I can't spend the rest of my life hiding, which is probably how I caught covid in January!!

[gr95 in reply to Potatos]

Glad you enjoyed it - may I ask your age and what meds you are on? Also how was your recovery?

[Potatos in reply to gr95]

I'm on methotrexate and adalimumab. I'd rather keep my exact age off the internet, let's just say early retired! Covid was mild; a low grade fever, lower backache and strange eyes. Took nine days to get a negative test but I was fine well before I was allowed out. The garden ended up getting a lot of attention whilst I awaited my escape! In the days of being at work I would have dosed myself with paracetamol and carried on. I've had plenty of colds that have been worse. I presume it was Omicron. I know other people who had Delta and suffered much more.

[Hidden]

Do you have a place in mind gr95 ?

Glad you enjoyed your trip to Austria, Potatos x

[MistysMum]

I've been to France twice since July 2021, and found no real problems. We are fortunate to have a house there, so at least we can be in control of our day to day lifestyle. Ferries, hotels, restaurants en route posed no problems, as contact with others was reduced to the minimum, & all Covid rules observed. Our biggest difficulty was trying to negotiate all the different rules & behaviours, where Covid is concerned, among French, Belgian, Dutch & German friends!. We just decided that we would do what we felt safe & comfortable with, as I am immunosuppressed, and have to live with the fact that some thought we were over-reacting. We may have strained a few friendships, but at least we didn't catch Covid! Good luck with your plans to travel - go for it & enjoy!

[Pat9442]

I flew long haul to Grenada in the Caribbean last October. Felt completely safe on the flight and Grenada had stricter Covid protocols than UK. I am afraid I simply cannot live my life worrying about what might happen. I think recent events in Ukraine have shown that. E sensible and live life to te fullest you can

[helixhelix]

I live abroad…..it’s fine here 😂🤣.

Many of my friends were alarmed at the thought of me going to the UK as didn’t think it safe!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to helixhelix]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 that last comment made me laugh.

[MadBunny in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

And me 🤣

[Sheila_G in reply to helixhelix]

They were right..

[Hollyhock123]

Yes, we flew to Cape Town last month. Masks on for airport and for 12 hr flight apart from eating and drinking. Flight was full, but cabin crew great at ensuring compliance with masks. Whilst out there we stayed in self catering, but ate out most days. In SA it’s still law for everyone to wear masks whilst inside until seated. Everywhere had foot pumped hand sanitiser on entry and shopping centres, airport there have temperature screening. So whilst required pre departure PCR to get into SA we didn’t need any tests to come home. However, we took LFTs out with us to know. So lovely to get away. I was on CEV list, and have had 3rd vaccine. Got my 4th 12 days before flying out! I’m nearing 50 and main meds are methotrexate tablets and benepali injections. Booked to go away in July as well!

[Mich1701]

Went to Cyprus, near Larnaca, in Oct. Felt safer there than here as everyone was adhering to covid rules. First time in Cyprus and people lovely. Had a nice relaxing time. Not so good was airport. Easy Jet staff were really bad, people had wrong paperwork etc so long queues. Not so bad getting in but leaving was a nightmare.

[Hidden in reply to Mich1701]

Yes the paperwork was a lot! Glad you liked it. I agree, the people are lovely. I'd like to see the Larnaca area. xx

[Daisy70]

Hubby and 1 came out to Bahrain last Dec 21 for a 4 month stay away from the cold. We lived there for many years and our kids now work there. The flight was only 1/3 full & BA staff were excellent at spacing everyone out. Bahrain is ahead of the game. Everyone is jabbed. Temperatures are taken entering every shop/cafe etc. Masks are everywhere. All over 60s are getting a 4th jab. We travel back to UK this week. I’m only on Sulphalazine but due to start biologics soon. How do you all manage with your injections when you travel?

[helixhelix in reply to Daisy70]

1 month is fine, as can get a supply for that long and transport them in a cool bag. More than that will be difficult. (If you do travel a lot and for a long time perhaps ask about JAK inhibitors which are tablets, and a new alternative to biologics)

(Odd to jump from Sulpha straight to biologics?)

[Daisy70 in reply to helixhelix]

The Sulpha was given for my AS. I was on methotrexate as well but reacted badly. Now I’ve got RA and Osteoporosis too. Bad neck, wrists & joints. Rheumy said it was time for biologics. But I go away each winter which would make that complicated. Plus, reading all the posts, it sounds scary.

[TytoAlba in reply to Daisy70]

I use a cool bag for travel then a Frio wallet when I get there for trips of less than an month which has covered all my air travel up until now. I took a 4 month driving trip touring France before Covid and bought a portable fridge (looks like a picnic cool box) to carry in the car and take into the accommodation. It worked brilliantly in the car but would be too big for air travel.

[Swimming20]

We have been twice am 71yrs and on Tocilizumab..although l missed it for one week as didn't want hassle taking it .we felt very safe ..also a lot stricter than here and it was mandatory to wear masks x

[Hidden]

That’s awesome! We are only 60 and neither CEV or on key medication yet I cannot convince him that it can be safe or safer abroad. Last trip to Europe summer 2019!This year we are visiting the highlands on a driving trip, I’m packing jumpers, rain coats and insect repellent!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Smidge is the way to go apparently.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[lucymead]

Yes and it was great lots of sunshine, We went on a two week cruise in October2020 .did Mediera and the Canary Islands. Small Ship was half full and masks worn in lifts and enclosed areas. All staff wore masks and they were brilliant lots of hand washing and suite was spotless. Going on another Cruise in June. I am CEV and took my Injections with me.

[Ferret18]

Hi gr95I went to Mauritius in January. Fabulous and everyone wore a mask. Felt very safe, even in the plane.

[Otto11]

Hi yes we went to Cyprus in September 2020 & 2021. We have a house there so we’re pretty desperate to check things over. The flight was ok everyone wearing masks apart from when eating or drinking. Once there we felt safer than here. You required your safe pass to enter supermarkets & any shop even local bakers. Pretty much everything is outdoors so that felt normal. With rules lifting now I would expect UK airports to be busier now x

[LinaM]

I’ve been overseas several times and always felt safe , especially on the almost empty flights at the start. The airport is the hardest bit as no one keeps their distance and airports force you into winding queues even though this makes it impossible to keep distant. However , everything is spotlessly clean and everyone in masks . I feel much safer abroad as you can eat outside and not meeting up with friends so pretty well avoiding most potential danger points. I’m in late 50s and on various meds as I’m still looking for one that helps. I find the sun and warmth help my symptoms the most and the breaks make me feel rested and stronger.ps I’ve also had covid ( delta I think) which I caught at home and it was no more than a cold … such a relief .

[TytoAlba]

I'm 70+ and take methotrexate, sulfasalazine and enbrel injections and am CEV. We went to Greece on a small ship cruise and spent a few days in hotels in Athens in Sept 2020. We decided that it was a risk worth taking because the incidence of covid cases in Greece was far fewer there than in the UK. There were only 30 people on a 60 passenger ship so it was easy to socially distance and they were very strict about passengers and crew wearing masks when we were inside. Our blood oxygen and temperature was checked daily and temperatures were tested again every time we got back onto the ship after visiting an island. Everyone on the islands and in Athens wore masks and socially distanced so overall, I felt far more safe than at home. The UK airport was more worrying than Athens airport but it wasn't any worse than supermarket shopping now. Passengers were well spaced on the plane out and air crew were very responsive to making sure everyone wore masks, though there were more passengers on the plane home, which I wasn't thrilled with but there were no reports of covid after we got home. In general, I think people in many other countries behave a lot more responsibly than those in the UK so I have no qualms about overseas travel and I already have a couple of trips booked to Asia and Central America for this year.

[Barrister]

My husband works in Saudi so we travel there and back several times a year (only once they reopened their borders. ) The flights have been pretty good, everyone wearing masks both at the airport and on board. Here in Saudi we have an app that shows we are fully vaccinated (not allowed in shops or buildings without a mask, temperatures checked on the way in by security guards and you must show the app). I feel safer here than back home in the U.K. although they are gradually stopping social distancing, now no longer have to wear a mask outside etc. I will continue to wear a mask whenever I’m outside the house. I take methotrexate and Benepali and also have Addison’s disease so I really don’t want to get covid.

[Hidden]

I’m sticking to the UK for now, so am using it as an excuse to visit lots of places that I’ve meant to go to for a while, but not got round to. I’m yearning to go abroad, but would find the flight too stressful. Once abroad, I think you will be fine, as other countries seem to be more regulated with regard to mask wearing etc. It’s the airport and flight bit that concerns me. Just get the best masks you can; that’s what I do on any trains I go on. I think it’s an individual decision. Personally, I know my nerves would be in bits. It’s ‘Long Covid’ that scares me; i really do not want that as well.

[happyinlove]

we tried going abroad on a cruise booked a hotel in Southampton to be on the port early booked a parking slot for our car for 7 days. i had not had my pcr test negative text although my partner had received it .

early morning of the day of embarking I rang the number and after an hour and a half holding an operator for Dam health answered and assured me that a certificate will be e mailed to me

i was pleased only wanted a text butt hought this is better

with hindsight now that I got her on the phone i should have asked for a certificate for my partner too

we went to the port they accepted me but my poor partner who paid for everything was not allowed in as the the text had no reference to his name only that it came from the provider

we joined several people on the naughty corner about 40 of them one three ladies from Scotland two sisters mum in a wheel chair another new baby mum dad and big push chair

we called the number bur no answer we called it from 2 pm to 6 pm until the ship sailed away with out all of us it was sad to see the mum and daughters' leave as they had to book a special taxi with all the suit cases and mums wheel chair they travelled back to Scotland losing all the money. we were given a letter statng we have not produced the correct documentations so not getting any refunds.

off we went got the car back went to have dinner at the same restaurant who bid us good bye the previous night

thought at least we have our good health and no accidents happen on the way home it was bit difficult to be grateful but we tried . so disappointed .

[Maggsie]

Went to Majorca in Nov 2021. Felt safe, ate out every day and did the usual touristy things. Used buses and taxis and everyone wore masks.I'm on mtx and tcz although I did miss them for 1 week as couldn't do with the extra hassle of taking them with me.

[Happy5]

No but a couple of friends he has RA went last month to the Canaries, then skiiing.Managed to get Covid he was quite poorly breathing wise, both recovered now.

As my friend said 4 flights was pushing it.