Family Florida holiday, back on track!

[Daisy]

Glamm - it doesn't seem 5 years since you were getting ready to go out to Las Vegas for the wedding. I hope you can get a direct flight when you come to book. It's much easier than changing within the UK. Although I don't mind changing planes within America - it always seems much easier than here.

[Gemini]

We are not at all excited about this holiday as up to now Joe Biden shows no sign of letting anyone into the country.
As I said to DD today, all we can do is expect the worst and hope for the best!

[Daisy]

Gem - your Florida holiday is still seven months away, so anything could happen - Joe Biden might change his mind, the country might change Joe Biden, the USA might be begging for people to visit to boost their coffers. As you say you can only expect the worst and hope for the best. I do hope it IS the best.

[Gemini]

At last the USA are allowing us in! Fully vaccinated, from November.

We do realise things could change again, and we need to be sure unvaccinated under 12's are allowed in, but nothing is 100% certain for anyone with any holiday ever ,so we will remain optimistic

[Oma]

Gem all you can do is keep your fingers crossed , It may all be normal by then with luck xxx

[Plantaholic]

I really hope your holiday to Florida will happen Gemini after a worrying time about your mum and the house sale.

[Nanto2girls]

Fingers crossed for you Gem.

[Daisy]

Gem - surely this time it will all be plain sailing (or flying!) and you will have a wonderful time. xxx

[WeeGranny]

Fingers etc crossed for the holiday Gem!

[Gemini]

A young man who with his wife and small son was on the first flight to Orlando out of Manchester, kindly reported on the DIBB.

It was a party atmosphere in both airports (with lots of welcome back balloons and banners and giveaways in Orlando airport) and all went smoothly. They need your covid passport, negative test proof and declaration at immigration but that's it. He has reassured a lot of us, especially those with children.

We were all following him all day yesterday, we felt as though we were all on that flight with him! He is going to report on the holiday and his return flight in three weeks time.

[Daisy]

Gem - thank goodness all went smoothly for that young man and his family.

Is a Covid passport just the little card which we were given at the first jab, and it was updated at the second?

[Gemini]

No Daisy. We either need an app on phones or printed off proof of being fully vaccinated, that card won't do.
You can get your covid passport from the NHS.
I am waiting until OH and I have had our boosters before sorting this out.

[Lizzie48]

I have just read this Gem.

What about children?

Children under 18 travelling with a fully vaccinated adult are exempt from the requirement to be fully vaccinated, but those aged two to 17 must take a lateral flow or PCR test within three days of departure. Children under 18 travelling solo need to take a test within one day of travel.

[Gemini]

Yes, we all need a supervised lateral flow test 3 days before going (can be done via a video link or at test centre) Unvaccinated children also need a test 3 days into the holiday. From what those arriving yesterday tell us, there are no reminders of this once you land. It seems you can take some LF tests with you and just record those of the 3rd day.

Of course as it is 150 days until we go, it could all be different by then!

[Daisy]

No Daisy. We either need an app on phones or printed off proof of being fully vaccinated, that card won't do.
You can get your covid passport from the NHS.
I am waiting until OH and I have had our boosters before sorting this out.

Thanks, Gem. I thought it couldn't be that easy just to have the little card!