Originally Posted by
LondonElite
I should perhaps post this in the dedicated thread, but my friends in US diplomatic circles, both in Washington and the embassy here, tell me that there is currently no momentum or enthusiasm for loosening the Schengen proclamation. They acknowledge that in this administration any can happen overnight, however.
Originally Posted by
Xenor
What makes you so sure? The US recorded its highest daily case count of Covid-19 yesterday, the pandemic is accelerating there after the way things were reopened too quickly and the politicization of mask wearing. The thoughts running through my mind right now after my August flights were cancelled is whether I'll be able to travel to the US in Spring 2021. I'm not as sure on that as I was this time last week.
Originally Posted by
miguel0881
Agreed. And just this week, he has banned many classes of non-immigrant visas, and extended the ban on many immigrant visas, through the end of the year. Plus the China travel restrictions are still in place even though the threat there has subsided substantially. The UK/EU travel restrictions will stay in place through November, at the very least. And much longer if Trump wins, as he likely will.
I would definitely agree with this. Things in the USA are not good with a significant spike in cases. Here in NV there was a new Emergency Directive promulgated yesterday whereby face coverings are now mandatory at all times when indoors within public spaces and also in outdoor public spaces where social distancing of more than 6 foot can’t be maintained.
The challenges, unfortunately, are many. It varies from those who have an antiscientific standpoint, to those who believe that wearing masks is either a totalitarian ploy or anti-American or pro-Democrat, to the refusal by POTUS to wear a mask while also holding mass rallies in support of his reelection in 2020, to a belief that the virus will just "go away" when it gets hold / cold / humid / it's Independence Day, to the invincibility of youth!
However, I think the biggest challenge is that people are just so fed up of being quarantined and really want to get out and about, to breathe some fresh air, to see the sun and the sky or the stars, to have a beer or a meal in their favourite restaurant. Being cooped up for so long isn't good for the psyche.
I was really hoping to make it back to the UK in August to see my elderly parents but I am now having serious doubts whether that will be possible. Only time will tell. We'll probably find out soon enough if BA cancels the NCL services. Everything else is on AA and I see those flights continuing to operate.