We’ve just got back from a 16-day trip to Spain and England. So how hard was it, travelling in these Covid-scary times?
Well, the first issue we had to deal with was literally making sure we could get on the flight out of Vancouver.
We were going to Barcelona via Munich, so the issue was 1) did we need a negative Covid test to get on the Lufthansa flight out of Vancouver and 2) did we need proof of a negative Covid test when we got to Munich, even though we are only transiting.
It took a while to get clear answers to both questions.
Since we are both fully-vaccinated, Lufthansa did not require proof of a negative test to get on the flight, nor did they want proof of a negative test when we got to Munich, since we were going on to Spain, which accepts double-jabbed travellers and only requires them to complete the Spanish Health declaration.
This is a simple form that we were able to complete online, but it is totally necessary to do and get a QR code back, something we had to show when entering Spain.
Everything went perfectly smoothly. Vancouver airport was virtually deserted when we left with only six international flights on the board.
We did, of course, have to wear face masks all the time on the plane, except when eating or drinking.
This was a little wearisome towards the end of the flight. It’s not very comfortable breathing into a face-mask for nine hours, something to which I am sure many health-care workers can testify.
In Spain, the process was very simple. There were multiple kiosks set up to receive passengers and process their QR code health declaration.
We sailed through and were in our taxi on the way to the hotel very quickly.
In Spain, regulations are pretty similar to Canada. People in shops and stores expect you to wear a mask. Hotels ask guests to wear masks coming and going in public spaces – lobbies, elevators, lounges – but not in common areas such as roof-decks and beside pools.
We were very comfortable everywhere we went. Restaurants and bars were spacious and uncrowded and we felt safe in the streets. Taxis were well-equipped with screens. It was really simply a matter of observing the same protocols that we observe here in Vancouver.
Before leaving Spain for England, we had to take a PCR test and complete a Passenger Locator Form for entry into the UK.
The Covid test was done in our room at the hotel and the results delivered by email the next day.
The Passenger Locator Form is easily accessed on the UK government site. You first need to create an account and then you can start the process, which cannot be completed until 48 hours before your flight’s departure.
It all goes very smoothly and you get a confirmation code emailed or texted to you. We made photos of the documents which were easy to show at the airport
Leaving Spain was a little problematic because agents at the check-in at the British Airways counter needed to check all our documents – negative Covid test details, dates and times, as well as the Passenger Locator Forms.
However, the plane was still on time. Everyone was processed and the flight got off without delay. We had heard stories of passengers almost driven to riot because of frustrating delays.
In London, the process was straight-forward. The immigration officer simply looked at our passports and checked that we had filled in the Passenger Locator Form and then waved us through with a smile. Since passenger traffic was light, it was the easiest transition we have ever had.
Two days after arriving in the UK, we were required to take a Day-2 Test, which had to be booked and paid for in advance. It is a requirement on the Passenger Locator Form that you must show you have done this.
We booked our tests at the Hale Clinic on Harley Street, close to our hotel in Bloomsbury.
The clinic sent us confirmation codes once we had booked and paid for the tests. This code is what you use on the Passenger Locator Form.
The next hoop we had to jump through was getting a PCR test done 72 hours before boarding our return flight to Vancouver.
We again went to the Hale Clinic in Harley Street for this.
This clinic processes dozens of people a day. It was extremely busy when we were there because of the London Marathon, but you simply make an appointment and the clinic honours the time very diligently and you can be on your way in 15 minutes.
We did not find it a major disruption to our day. We booked all our tests for 9:30 AM, which turned out to be the most popular time. Apparently, everyone wants to get their tests done early in the day. Nevertheless, we still were processed efficiently with no delay and without discomfort.
The last part of the COVID travel puzzle was to download the ArriveCan app and fill in the form 72 hours before our flight home from Heathrow.
Again, this was straightforward, with no problems.
Once submitted, we received a code via email, which again we turned into photographs for easy access at the airport.
At Heathrow, Air Canada agents checked all our forms – negative Covid test, especially dates and times, as well as the code sent by ArriveCan.
At YVR, the immigration agent simply looked at our passports and seemed to already know we had filled in the ArriveCAN form. He waved us though without delay.
The cost of all the tests?
Well, PCR tests in Spain and the UK were not cheap – about 125 euros each in Spain and 125 pounds each in London. The D-2 test, which has now been changed for double-vaccinated passengers to a lateral flow test, costs about 100 pounds each. All of these tests costs would be a significant outlay for, say, a family of four or a group.
If all tests are negative – (as they were for us) and all the forms are filled in correctly and on time (as they were with us) then your trip can proceed without a problem.
Some general observations.
In Spain, people are more aware of the need to wear face-coverings and socially distance than people in the UK.In London, there is a much more relaxed atmosphere with many people not wearing masks, although the majority do on the Tube and trains. Some pubs are crowded and people are acting as if there is no pandemic at all.
It is still smart in my opinion to stay out of crowded places, especially crowded pubs and restaurants. No Covid Passport system is operating.
This doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun. Tourism is still very much down compared to pre-pandemic days.
London feels very quiet and at times even empty compared to the busy, bustling pre-pandemic days of two years ago.
The bottom line, from our perspective: It’s safe to travel, if you follow the rules, maintain your own personal Covid hygiene protocols and don’t balk at the demands to take tests and complete forms.
I must also say that I felt much better when I was in places where I knew people had shown proof of vaccination and were following all the basic courtesy and hygiene rules.
Happy travels.
