Coming to Spain - Page 28

jtp890 wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:01am:

Only in your view yet again Mathew.\

James

jtp890 wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:01am:

Only in your view yet again Mathew.\

James

Matthew wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 9:46am:

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 Ital...

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...y. 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. 

Matthew wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:05am:

At least James, I have an opinion and I can back it up. Let's hear your opinion.

Andymac1951 wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:12am:

Well said Mathew, not often I agree with you but on this occasion you are spot on.  I believe Spain runs the risk of a 2nd wave if it is not careful, as I commented earlier, the risk from travellers from China, where they already have a 2nd wave, is great and anyone coming from from, or via ...

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...China should have to self isolate, better still simply ban all flights from China, and any other Nation that remains a risk.  We have spent 3 months in lockdown here, following the guidelines, and it would be a tragedy should we now import the virus from the U.K., China or anywhere else for that matter. 

DarioMartin wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:25am:

Interestingly China reports that the strain causing the second wave appears to be closer to the strain found in Europe / America etc than the original Wuhan strain. If that is verified by international Scientists, then it could mean that China’s second wave was imported ...... from a foreign tr...

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...aveler.

I think Spain is opening its borders too soon to still-infected countries.  We need the tourist income a whole lot less than we need to stay free of infection.

Many businesses here are turning inwards, and there has been an upsurge in support for local businesses by the community.

grahamerv wrote on Thu Jun 18, 2020 12:18pm:

I know a lot of expats don’t want me to come to Spain to visit our property. However, as long as the Spanish government and the airlines allow it we will be there as soon as possible. My wife and myself have adhered rigidly to the rules here in the UK and will continue to adhere to Spain’s ru...

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...les on social distancing etc while we are there. My wife works from home here and will do also in Spain while I continue with the shopping and gardening. A previous poster stated

 “Spanish supermarkets have strict codes regarding wearing face masks and plastic gloves”

Can someone currently residing in Spain confirm that gloves are required. I have masks, will I need to source gloves before I travel?

Many Thanks