Covid requirements and petrol shortages can’t stop Eileen Lee from feeling the love on a trip to the UK
It is so surreal to be back in England after 18 months away. It is easily the longest I’ve not visited since moving to LA 24 years ago!
It wasn’t until I landed that I allowed myself to realize just how much I’d missed it. Mostly my family of course – and whilst I will be eternally grateful for video chats it can never replace actually being in the same room as someone. I’ve not done much socially, as the purpose of this visit is to care for my elderly mum. I have managed to have my fill – and then some – of chocolates and crisps and of course the requisite fish and chips supper.
The petrol shortage is real, as I drove up the M1 I was horrified to see signs saying “No petrol available” at nearly all of the service stations between London and Nottingham. Although, my understanding is that it may have not been so extreme if the media hadn’t stirred the pot which then resulted in the ridiculous panic buying. I was shocked to read on the local Nextdoor group that petrol was being stolen from parked cars. Insane! I also read posts from neighbours offering to share petrol with those in need, so it’s not all bad.
You may remember a few weeks ago I was preparing for this trip. Like many of us I was worrying about the testing requirements and feeling overwhelmed by all of the forms that needed filling out before I was deemed to fit to fly. Thankfully it all worked out just fine, but I couldn’t have done it without all the tips and tricks our fellow members had shared on our Facebook page. Of course the rules have changed again since then! If you are planning a trip to the UK you no longer need a test before you fly but you do still need to take one at some point during the first two days of your arrival. This must be booked in advance as you also are required to enter the booking reference number on the UK government locator form, which must be completed before you check in for your flight. I used a company called Randox; it was a fairly easy process – they delivered a self-test kit to the address I was planning to stay at in England, and gave me the option to drop it for free in one of their many collection boxes dotted across the UK, or mail it back to them at my expense. I chose to send it via the Royal Mail ‘Special Delivery’ overnight service which cost £6.75. I was a bit scared as have read so many horror stories about how unreliable the post office is at the moment, so I was very impressed that they managed to get it from London to Belfast in less than 16 hours! I received my (negative) test result back that same day and then I was good to go. All in it cost roughly £50 including postage.
Another good option is to get the Day 2 test when you land at the airport. Heathrow has a test centre onsite and I am sure that many other airports do too. Perfect for those of you would rather get it out of the way as soon as you arrive, prices start at £69 so it actually doesn’t cost that much more, although if you are a family of 4 it will soon start to add up.
To find out more, visit www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test
You are still required to take a test before your return to the USA. The CDC’s current guidelines for international arrivals are as follows:
• All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.
After travel:
• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel.
• Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
• Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.
If you are not fully vaccinated follow the guidelines above but you have to quarantine for 7 days after arrival no matter what your test results is.
You can visit CDC.gov for further guidance.
I have booked my UK to USA preflight test with DocHQ (https://dochq.co.uk) for £29.75, although I am having second thoughts about this one as it apparently requires me to take the test at home via a video chat with one of their representatives. However, they do get 5 stars on Trustpilot!
I have managed to get to the grocery store and stocked up on a few British treats and plan to give some away as prizes at our weekly Pub Quiz at the Market Tavern. If there is anything in particular you are dying to try (or have again) send an email to eileen@britsin.la – and I may just grant your wish..
Lastly, if you have a product or service you want to promote please consider donating it as a pub quiz prize. In return we will assist in getting the word out amongst our members.
If you missed my previous column I refer to at the beginning of this one you can read it here https://www.british-weekly.com/?p=26909.
For details on our weekly pub quiz visit www.Britsin.la or find us on social media @Britsin.LA
Cheers!
Eileen
