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Post by balddave on Jul 8, 2021 16:34:49 GMT
We’re very happy, not only is our Skiathos trip in September now a distinct possibility, our visit to see grand munchkins in Seville going ahead, no need to test before we go, jab paperwork suffices, test needed to fly home plus day 2, we intended to book day 5 test to release as well, so possibly a £500 saving.
Made up for those flying this month, looking forward to any reports, I guess it will be a different environment than the normal July .
Just awaiting confirmation from the airlines as per flight commencement dates.
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Post by dennisn on Jul 8, 2021 18:09:03 GMT
AND I have received a notification from HM Govt that as from 5:35pm today, 8th July, they no longer advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Greece, including the islands.
I didn't see announcements today by Boris and/or Co, so perhaps they announced Greece is Green? Anybody heard anything?
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Post by balddave on Jul 9, 2021 6:30:34 GMT
Dennis I think govt relaxation due to the no longer requirements to quarantine on return. Traffic light ratings to be reviewed on the 15th
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Post by Woody (Admin) on Jul 9, 2021 9:45:33 GMT
I hope the recent news is good for everyone hoping to get Skiathos, as well as those islanders wishing to earn some income this year.
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Post by dennisn on Jul 10, 2021 7:28:35 GMT
Angela (Villa Maria) has had another TUI phone call to say TUI are opening from 23rd July and all the owners are working late to get their places ready for it. That’s such good news for Skiathos owners.
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richie88
New Member
Posts: 10
Visits to Skiathos: 8
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Post by richie88 on Jul 11, 2021 0:45:37 GMT
just booked oasis for 11th august hope all goes well as we had to cancel last two holidays just noticed my profile shows 4 visits to skiathos well out of date this will be our 9th hopefully
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Post by dennisn on Jul 11, 2021 6:48:23 GMT
Click on Profile and you can alter the number of visits.
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richie88
New Member
Posts: 10
Visits to Skiathos: 8
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Post by richie88 on Jul 11, 2021 8:23:59 GMT
cheers dennis all done
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Post by balddave on Jul 13, 2021 15:43:34 GMT
I’ve just flicked through Skiathos Facebook sites, which I do on occasion, so much contradictory information, misinformation re entry, covid test for homeward flights. So many barrack room advisers. I’m amazed that supposedly educated adults haven’t got the nouse to check out official Greek/UK sights. By government standards it’s quite clear what the requirements are. If I need important information the official sites are where I will look, if i want personal insight to tavernas, hotels, car hire etc then forums are the place to go.
To diversify, who on this forum will be the first to visit, I’m thinking Kate , but stand to be corrected. I personally enjoy reading people’s blogs/reports, call them what you will, it heightens the anticipation for our own visit.
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Post by kevb on Jul 14, 2021 9:38:14 GMT
I'm not a member on all Skiathos related FB sites but mostly I've seen pretty sensible discussions and people do post links to the .gov site. There are options regarding test for return to UK (eg buy a package here and take with you or have it done on the island) which again I think is a perfectly valid discussion to have. There's a lot of traffic on those sites, it's inevitable theres going to be a certain amount of chinese whispers. Just the other day I was told i was 'missing the point' by someone after having posted something which was 100% relevant to what they had written, it's just how some folks are. You just move on.
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Post by dennisn on Jul 14, 2021 11:01:24 GMT
I'm only on Old Boomerangers and have to admit it's a bit too much at times (usually the times when Facebook decides to shuffle stuff around, or off, or into the cloud - whatever it does to totally confuse me and make meaningful stuff unfindable), have to admit "Chinese Whispers" certainly rings true for me. I'm waiting to see flights start from Bristol so that I can ask people who should be able to report accurately. Apart from tests, where, when, PLFs and anything else, my REAL interest/concern is that TUI have different aircraft for the Bristol flights, now using a plane which loads at the front end, not middle, so I've had to reserve my window seat with absolutely no experience of where they are. I need to reserve row 12, or 13, or 14, don't mind which (leading edge of wing root), but I want my window seat to actually have a window. One year I flew all the way from Birmingham with a blank panel alongside me, it was horrible, like being shut in a can and to top it off, no view of arrival approach at Skiathos!!
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Post by kevb on Jul 14, 2021 13:09:24 GMT
I'm going to be appallingly sexist here and say yes, Old Boomerangers does come off like a ladies who lunch coffee morning a lot of the time with a lot of supposition going on and a few who would be better just doing some reading of the official sites. For what it's worth this is my undersatnding of the position from July 19th and it's not all set in concrete, some of it might be wrong and I'm happy for any corrections.
IF YOU ARE DOUBLY VACCINATED THEN :
To gain entry into Greece you require proof of being doubly vaccinated (either via the NHS app or a written version available via the NHS) and need to fill out a PLF. To my knowledge at least for the UK->Skiathos bit more than one person can be included on the same form, assuming they are staying in same place for same dates. You might get tested on arrival but this seems a bit hit and miss, you do not need a formal test result to enter.
On return you will need to be tested up to 3 days in advance eg if a Friday flight you could get a test as early as Tuesday as the result would be available Weds which is 3 days. To my knowledge the requirement from UK govt is that a negative PCR test is required however I've noticed TUI now selling test kits to people who have booked their flights / packages directly with them and I don't see how these kits would be a full PCR test so the gov site needs to be firmed up on what specific test type is required for return. The full PCR test at the private medical place in Skiathos is currently 60 euros. There is a cheaper non-PCR test available for 20 euros. It is still not clear at the moment if a result from this would be acceptable for return to UK. I expect quite a lot of updates to be done to the UK gov site after July 19th and it won't be instant so I'd leave it for a week after July 19th for the editing to be done.
On return to the UK you need to get a test done on day 2. Again, my understanding is that this should be a PCR test from one of the recommended suppliers on the NHS site. You can buy the kit in advance of leaving UK so it is there at home for you when you get back. Take the test (it will be some sort of swab or saliva sample depending on which supplier it is) and post it back to company, should get results in 24 hours. Originally a further test was required on day 8 but this was relevant to those self isolating on return. Doubly vaccinated travellers to amber listed countries will no longer isolate on return after July 19th so the requirement for a day 8 test will not be required either. I had a quick look and the cost of the PCR test for day 2 is around £40-£50, some holiday companies are giving codes on their sites to use when you buy the test so you get a bit of money off, usually not much but it helps.
Another PLF will be required for the return journey. I am not 100% clear if separate forms are required for each passenger or if they can both be included on one form, again I expect some more on that on the UK gov site once flights start up again in earnest.
From my personal viewpoint I'm not flying until late August, further changes may have happened by then so I'm not making firm plans until closer to the departure date. At the moment I'm factoring in the additional cost of the test in Skiathos and a day 2 test after I come back so budgeting roughly an additional £100 for testing. My NHS app is showing my vaccination history OK so that will be fine for entry into Greece and obviously will need a PLF to do closer to departure date. I'm seriously considering putting mum on my PLF's this time as it was a pain doing 2 forms last yesr for Parga and they never even looked at them on return to UK at Manchester airport anyway.
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Post by balddave on Jul 14, 2021 13:40:31 GMT
Completely clear Kev, just a footnote, the code/details of your day 2 test on return need to be added to your return PLF
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Post by kevb on Jul 14, 2021 14:15:05 GMT
Thanks for the extra info Dave, I hadn't looked into some finer details of testing. I was going to leave any ordering until closer to departure in case the type required is relaxed and cheaper tests are permitted. Likewise I might take the gamble of getting tested on the island as the rules might change while I'm out there meaning I could get away with the cheapo 20 test. Although my flight is with TUI it's via another operator so I don't have an actual TUI booking reference to get the full sp on the details of their 'amber package', you can get so far in but then need the booking ref to go further.
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Post by kevb on Jul 14, 2021 14:28:47 GMT
One year I flew all the way from Birmingham with a blank panel alongside me, it was horrible, like being shut in a can and to top it off, no view of arrival approach at Skiathos!!
Although TUI haven't bothered sending me an official update yet I know for a fact that my flight times have changed so won't be arriving in Skiathos until 10pm local time now. I suppose I could look at the pretty lights but I reckon I'll be so knackered by the time we get there it won't matter if I've got a window seat or not. If we're offered one I usually give it up to mum anyway if we are on the left side of the plane. First time I took her neither of us had a window seat but we were at the back near the crew and I cajoled one of the cabin crew to swap with mum for landing.
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