Coming to Spain - Page 27

I imagine that’s what New Zealand is saying about Brits right about now ....

Where do you think the virus came from in the first instance and just how many Chinese are there currently living in, and visiting, not just Spain but other parts of Europe.

Hi Andymac1951, I don't know where your post is going. But, in fairness to you it's up there with the creepy posters who claimed there was 2 metre self distancing on the crowded beaches of the south of England recently and blamed the photographers who took all the photos from angles that would exaggerate the numbers and distances apart. Let's keep the point on the relevant facts and not be looking out for ridiculous explanations.

Bit of conflicting info re nz, reported this morning they reside in nz and were allowed to visit England on compatianate grounds to visit dieing parent 

Answers please on a postcard, 

James 

A second Covid 19 wave in Beijing is not a ‘ridiculous explanation’

Where do you think the virus is now, also, how many Brit tourists will there be coming over? It only takes one ...!! .... that holds just as much water as blaming it on the Chinese and therefore trying to make everyone suspicious of any Chinese person.

The Chinese here are just people, like you and like me.  They are not and cannot be held responsible for what happens in their country, just as British nationals who come here by and large cannot be held responsible for what happens in the UK.

Personal responsibility only arises when a person knowingly refuses to participate either in any of the various quarantine measures or knowing they are or are likely to be infected, still go about amongst the population - then that person is held responsible - not the entire populace that they represent.

Saying “it’s the Chinese’ fault, don’t let them in” is .... how do I put this? Racist? It’s certainly utterly unacceptable.

Don’t need a postcard, just the correct facts. 

The women were not tested before being allowed to leave an Auckland quarantine hotel after they arrived back home from a visit to the UK on 7 June. They had received a compassionate exemption to the compulsory 14-day isolation period for returning travellers in order to visit a dying relative 400 miles (650km) away in Wellington.  The pair made the eight-hour drive in a private vehicle on 13 June, before one of the women became unwell and both were diagnosed with Covid-19 on Monday. The women got lost driving out of Auckland and met briefly with the friends who had loaned them their car, to get directions. The women and their friends had “limited physical contact”.

Only New Zealanders, their families, and essential workers are currently permitted to enter the country, which has no other domestic restrictions in place. They should have been tested on arrival and before leaving the Auckland hotel.

320 people who are regarded as close contacts of the women are being traced, and getting tested. These include their friends, passengers on their flight to New Zealand and other quarantined travellers at their Auckland hotel, as well as hotel staff and flight crew. The women are now in isolation with a relative.

So no ‘conflicting info’. And what on earth does this story - about how New Zealand has responded to a breach of their quarantine - have to do with Brits visiting Spain? No answer, on a postcard or otherwise, necessary.

Chris

What utter crap you spout at times, really.  I never suggested that any Chinese living in Spain are responsible.  We were talking about who can and who cannot visit Spain.  China is now experiencing a second wave of the virus so I would hope and expect that Spain blocks all visits from China, as they are doing from the U.K.  it is not racist at all so please do not try and make it any issue.

Andymac wrote;
“... and just how many Chinese are there currently living in, and visiting, not just Spain ...”

I’ll just pop that there in case you forgot what you said.  Difficult to remember when you reach your dotage, I know, but do try to keep up 🤣

And British nationals are not blocked from entry into Spain - merely subject to a 14 day quarantine on arrival at the moment.  The comments made as Matthew points out on TripAdvisor, Facebook etc. by these potential holiday makers would seem to indicate that many potential British visitors lack the personal responsibility and self discipline to undertake the quarantine measures.

Last January I listened to Irish doctors advising there was a 50% chance that the Coronavirus would affect Ireland and most of them declined further answers until the near future unfolded. In February the Ireland V Italy rugby international was cancelled because of the extent of the virus in Italy. Some Italian fans travelled and caused some concern but the country geared itself for the inevitable. Some stupid Irish people travelled to Cheltenham in March for the racing festival (up to 70,000 people per day attended). By the time the Cheltenham festival even began all Irish schools were fully closed, our hotels, fitness centres, pubs, shops closed. Public transport was restricted and everybody was asked to stay at home. Those who could work from home were instructed to work from home - they were even given a tax free allowance of around €3.00 per day. Supermarkets were kept open and had to operate  with restrictions. All private hospitals were taken over by the state for a contracted period. 

The point I'm trying to make is that Personal Responsibility was conferred on everybody in Ireland and with few exceptions all bought into it. We don't have anything like the resources available that the likes of France, Italy etc have. The country moved earlier than most others. I'm not going to mention the Covid-19 death toll in Ireland as there is still some lunatics from other countries bringing up the per capita figures and it is obvious they haven't a clue (I would even say they are brain dead at best and failing even basic arithmetic). 

Suddenly, Spain opens up for tourists and every forum/facebook page from Lands-End to John-O-Groats is active with What's the earliest plane I can get to the Costas. If anybody points out the disadvantages to Spain and the UK they are branded as Killjoys and shouted down. In a sentence, they just don't want to know what is obvious. Spain has been closed to business for months as in a real lockdown. Businesses are trying to keep themselves floating while heading into the greatest of recessions. Most apartment complexes have closed swimming pools and the gardens in which the pools are. Restaurants can operate with some restrictions. Spanish supermarkets have strict codes regarding wearing face masks and plastic gloves before I mention self distancing. Schools wont open before September in Ireland, but already I read that many schools have reopened in the UK and some UK schools operated with limited numbers at all times. 

Only today the Irish government informed us that if we leave the island we'll be subject to two week's quarantine when we return. No date has been set for the lifting of this restriction. The Essential Travel Rule is still being enforced. Covid-19 is not beaten in Ireland, but it has become "manageable" - the fear being if we travel e.g. to Spain we'll be  coming into contact with people from countries some of which mishandled the Covid-19 situation.

Many thousands will travel to Spain and do I believe all the restrictions will be obeyed? Do I believe they will even care? I've seen nothing over the years to make me change my opinion. On a personal note I thought we'd get to Spain during November 2020 for a break from the Irish weather. I believe it's inevitable that there will be further serious outbreaks of Covid-19 in Spain before November. At this moment I'm not even thinking of booking flights.

I note there are British expats in Spain asking people from the UK not to travel. These former UK nationals are probably amongst the bravest people I know. They have become unpopular for doing the right thing.