Coronavirus

[calumhibee1]

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The cost of NHS coronavirus tests for international arrivals to the UK have been reduced, the government has said.

Test and Trace tests have been cut from £88 to £68 for people arriving from green-listed countries and for those coming from amber-listed countries who are fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the price of two tests for amber arrivals who have not had both jabs has been cut from £170 to £136.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58206517

Good stuff.

[Stairway 2 7]

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No Scotland (and presumably the rest of the UK) too.

When I replied to Calum's post yesterday about requirements for travelling to Spain, I linked to a page on the Scottish Government website which said the test you had to do on your return from an amber country cost £88.

That same page now says the cost is £68.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/co...ist-countries/

That's good as I'd read Scotland was a bit of a monopoly where you couldn't do it private, just at the rip off price

[Stairway 2 7]

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It is hard to work out what is going on in the USA. They have about 128,000 cases per day at present and although they are increasing the doubling time is slowing and is about 17 days. 128,000 cases sounds a lot but with 5 times the population of the UK they have less cases per head than year. I guess the main difference is that the cases are concentrated in a handful of states and almost 25% of the most vulnerable population is not vaccinated.

https://mobile.twitter.com/VictimOfMaths/status/1425109797750333449

Decent thread on it, they have much less vaccinated older adults which is critical when fighting covid

[Sir David Gray]

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That's good as I'd read Scotland was a bit of a monopoly where you couldn't do it private, just at the rip off price

It's a step in the right direction but still a bit too high for me.

I wasn't too fussed about going on my trip to Cyprus next month which I've had booked since the start of last year and already deferred once, but paying nearly £70 for a test has pretty much made my mind up.

If I'm going to Cyprus as a fully vaccinated person, the only Covid-19 related requirement is for me to complete a Cyprus flight pass before travelling. I'd hope that we are taking note of how it's going in Cyprus and several other EU countries which have removed all requirements for providing a negative test for travellers who are fully vaccinated.

[Sir David Gray]

Some passengers have complained of being crammed into carriages with strangers refusing to wear masks on Welsh trains, despite Covid laws.

In Wales face masks remain a legal requirement on public transport, while in England they are only advised.

A number of passengers told BBC Wales people were ignoring calls to put on masks, leaving them feeling unsafe.

Transport for Wales (TfW) said it was urging travellers to wear masks on all services.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-58144669

[Pretty Boy]

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Some passengers have complained of being crammed into carriages with strangers refusing to wear masks on Welsh trains, despite Covid laws.

In Wales face masks remain a legal requirement on public transport, while in England they are only advised.

A number of passengers told BBC Wales people were ignoring calls to put on masks, leaving them feeling unsafe.

Transport for Wales (TfW) said it was urging travellers to wear masks on all services.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-58144669

I was on a couple of trains yesterday. Only short hops, Brunstane to Haymarket then Haymarket to Waverley later in the day.

I would say those of us wearing masks stood out more than those who weren't. A definite majority not wearing. The no alcohol rule was being largely ignored as well.

[calumhibee1]

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I was on a couple of trains yesterday. Only short hops, Brunstane to Haymarket then Haymarket to Waverley later in the day.

I would say those of us wearing masks stood out more than those who weren't. A definite majority not wearing. The no alcohol rule was being largely ignored as well.

Is the no alcohol rule a nationwide thing? I’m going down to London on the train next week and would have taken a few beers for the journey down as I didn’t know anything about it.

[H18 SFR]

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Is the no alcohol rule a nationwide thing? I’m going down to London on the train next week and would have taken a few beers for the journey down as I didn’t know anything about it.

You can drink from the border.

[calumhibee1]

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You can drink from the border.

[Sir David Gray]

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Is the no alcohol rule a nationwide thing? I’m going down to London on the train next week and would have taken a few beers for the journey down as I didn’t know anything about it.

The ban's in place in every station in Scotland plus all Scotrail trains. Not sure if any Scotrail trains go into England or not but if they do then alcohol still can't be consumed until you board another provider's train.

[neil7908]

I'm looking at going out to Croatia and would appreciate a bit of help on the testing side. I can see that on the way back I'll need a PCR within 2 days of return to the UK, and I have to use the 1 Scot Gov approved provider.

But Croatia requires a PCR test result taken within 72 hrs of departure to get in. I'm a bit unclear where I get this. Do I have to use the same Scot Gov provider? Or can I use anyone (I.e. Order a PCR through the NHS)?

Both my partner and I will be fully vaccinated before we go but I don't think that makes a difference to entry.

[Sir David Gray]

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I'm looking at going out to Croatia and would appreciate a bit of help on the testing side. I can see that on the way back I'll need a PCR within 2 days of return to the UK, and I have to use the 1 Scot Gov approved provider.

But Croatia requires a PCR test result taken within 72 hrs of departure to get in. I'm a bit unclear where I get this. Do I have to use the same Scot Gov provider? Or can I use anyone (I.e. Order a PCR through the NHS)?

Both my partner and I will be fully vaccinated before we go but I don't think that makes a difference to entry.

You're correct, the fact you're double vaccinated makes no difference in Croatia.

To be allowed entry into Croatia, all travellers from the UK regardless of their vaccination status must present either a negative COVID-19 antigen test, which must not be older than 48 hours, or a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours on arrival. People travelling to Croatia from the UK are not permitted to do these tests on arrival in Croatia. Passengers arriving without a valid test certificate will be denied entry to Croatia.

Any private test seems to be fine.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...y-requirements

[lord bunberry]

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Four Scottish health boards have now halted non-urgent procedures amid rising pressure on the NHS.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58204236

I’ve got a hospital appointment in a couple of weeks, I’ve not heard anything about it being cancelled yet. I’m not hopeful of it going ahead after reading that though.

[calumhibee1]

Can I just say a big thanks to all that post answers to the questions on this thread. Trying to book a holiday just now is a bit of an information minefield so it’s very much appreciated

[Stairway 2 7]

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Can I just say a big thanks to all that post answers to the questions on this thread. Trying to book a holiday just now is a bit of an information minefield so it’s very much appreciated

Friend is back from Croatia, said it was easy. Got a private test beside airport but could use any. Quick through airport then a test before he came home, said everywhere was advertising them for 25 euro. Then test when home, although not heard from track and trace over a week later now. Another in Spain says similar.

Adds 160 per person if Croatia about 90 for Spain, but save much more than that on the prices just now.

[Stairway 2 7]

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80,000 in the US now in hospital with covid, that number is doubling every 13 days. It should be their biggest hospital wave in around 10 days. Also of note 81% of cases are in trump states.

Although uptake is better than alot of countries, older groups and those with morbidities are much lower uptake than most in the west. So whilst our big spike in cases last month meant little hospitalisations, we had almost 100% uptake in over 60s.

Most states are fairly open even with huge cases sadly too. Stories like this is even more depressing when they have plenty vaccines

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b1900318.html

Florida mother dies from Covid-19 days after giving birth

1017 deaths in Florida alone yesterday, staggering when vaccines were open to all over 12 in May their

[Billy Whizz]

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Can I just say a big thanks to all that post answers to the questions on this thread. Trying to book a holiday just now is a bit of an information minefield so it’s very much appreciated

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/news....erson-12381039

I’m not sure if this applies to Scotland or not?

[Sir David Gray]

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https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/news....erson-12381039

I’m not sure if this applies to Scotland or not?

Yep it does.

[Sir David Gray]

Daily Scottish update;

1,383 new cases since yesterday - 5.6% positivity rate
Decrease of 17 in the confirmed cases in hospital since yesterday
Decrease of 2 in the confirmed cases in intensive care since yesterday
4,050,011 people have now received their first dose of the vaccine - 5,061 people since yesterday
3,431,062 people have now received their second dose of the vaccine - 19,011 people since yesterday
5 deaths registered since yesterday

[Billy Whizz]

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Yep it does.

Ok that’s great thanks

[neil7908]

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You're correct, the fact you're double vaccinated makes no difference in Croatia.

To be allowed entry into Croatia, all travellers from the UK regardless of their vaccination status must present either a negative COVID-19 antigen test, which must not be older than 48 hours, or a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours on arrival. People travelling to Croatia from the UK are not permitted to do these tests on arrival in Croatia. Passengers arriving without a valid test certificate will be denied entry to Croatia.

Any private test seems to be fine.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...y-requirements

Cheers!

[Sir David Gray]

29,520 cases and 93 deaths registered in the UK today.

[wallpaperman]

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1017 deaths in Florida alone yesterday, staggering when vaccines were open to all over 12 in May their

No, that’s across a whole week, they are only releasing figures weekly now, which is causing huge controversy considering they are the biggest basket case COVID wise in the US.

[Moulin Yarns]

Meanwhile in Glasgow....

https://news.stv.tv/west-central/pie...ow-city-centre

[Sir David Gray]

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No, that’s across a whole week, they are only releasing figures weekly now, which is causing huge controversy considering they are the biggest basket case COVID wise in the US.

Yep 1,071 deaths over 7 days not yesterday so an average of 153 per day.

In contrast in the UK we've averaged around 87 deaths per day despite having more than 3 times the population of Florida.

Florida's death toll isn't quite as bad as it was previously made out to be but it's still considerably worse than ours.

[Stairway 2 7]

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No, that’s across a whole week, they are only releasing figures weekly now, which is causing huge controversy considering they are the biggest basket case COVID wise in the US.

Ah cheers weird they have changed it. So 6 times worse than ours per head. Problem is they deaths are from cases 4 weeks ago when 7 day average was about 5,500 cases per day. Cases are now at 20,000 a day so deaths should quadruple in the month, and case are going up vertical. Its brutal and mirrored in most red states

[Onceinawhile]

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I was on a couple of trains yesterday. Only short hops, Brunstane to Haymarket then Haymarket to Waverley later in the day.

I would say those of us wearing masks stood out more than those who weren't. A definite majority not wearing. The no alcohol rule was being largely ignored as well.

I've been on the train a couple of times in the last week and it was a large majority wearing masks, hardly anyone not.

The only alcohol I saw was a few celtic fans drinking on Thursday.

[Killiehibbie]

It was the daily mail that said it but will Spain be put on the red list for 2.9% of returning travellers testing positive? That is a lot less than our positivity rate.

[Sir David Gray]

Breakdown of today's cases by council area;

Glasgow - 150
North Lanarkshire - 125
Edinburgh - 122
Fife - 114
South Lanarkshire - 99
Dumfries and Galloway - 82
West Lothian - 54
North Ayrshire - 51
Renfrewshire - 44
East Dunbartonshire - 42
Highland - 40
East Ayrshire - 40
East Lothian - 38
Aberdeenshire - 35
Scottish Borders - 32
West Dunbartonshire - 31
Inverclyde - 31
Falkirk - 30
Dundee - 30
Argyll and Bute - 29
Perth and Kinross - 28
Aberdeen - 25
South Ayrshire - 22
East Renfrewshire - 18
Stirling - 16
Clackmannanshire - 16
Angus - 13
Midlothian - 12
Moray - 9
Na-h Eileanan Siar - 2
Orkney - 1

[Sir David Gray]

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Daily update - first dose;

UK - 47,215,352 (90.1% of adult population)

Wales - 2,310,898 (92.4% of adult population)
England - 39,612,597 (90% of adult population)
Scotland - 4,044,950 (89.9% of adult population)
Northern Ireland - 1,246,907 (86% of adult population)

Second dose;

UK - 40,206,029 (76.7% of adult population)

Wales - 2,132,116 (85.3% of adult population)
Northern Ireland - 1,109,693 (76.5% of adult population)
England - 33,552,169 (76.3% of adult population)
Scotland - 3,412,051 (75.8% of adult population)

Daily update - first dose;

UK - 47,254,399 (90.2% of adult population)

Wales - 2,310,898 (92.4% of adult population)
England - 39,645,073 (90.1% of adult population)
Scotland - 4,050,011 (90% of adult population)
Northern Ireland - 1,248,417 (86.1% of adult population)

Second dose;

UK - 40,372,981 (77% of adult population)

Wales - 2,132,116 (85.3% of adult population)
Northern Ireland - 1,113,944 (76.8% of adult population)
England - 33,695,859 (76.6% of adult population)
Scotland - 3,431,062 (76.2% of adult population)

** Wales no longer release any data on a Saturday. **