Best place to spend winter during a potential second wave of COVID?
Oct 30, 2020, 10:53 pm
#631
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Thank you for all the feedback on entry with EU passport or non-EU (Canadian) passport which is very helpful.
That is too bad that you are not able to wear a mask for a longer time period. Would it be possible for you to have somekind of note from your doctor stating that you are not able to wear one? If so, I believe many countries do make exceptions in these cases.
If not, that would probably limit your choices quite a bit since many countries do require the wearing of masks unless you maybe stay in an all inclusive resort where you usually only have to wear a mask when moving from one place to another within the resort but usually not for example in the pool or beach area as well as other parts but not sure if that is attractive for you.
Another country that came to mind is Costa Rica which allows entry to everyone as of NOV 1st. There are a lot of beautiful smaller resorts which could work and where you would probably only have to wear the mask moving from one place to another within the resort but not when going for walks in nature, beach, pool area etc.
The only problem I would foresee is the transfer from the airport to the accommodation but if you can get somekind of exemption, it could work very well.
That is too bad that you are not able to wear a mask for a longer time period. Would it be possible for you to have somekind of note from your doctor stating that you are not able to wear one? If so, I believe many countries do make exceptions in these cases.
If not, that would probably limit your choices quite a bit since many countries do require the wearing of masks unless you maybe stay in an all inclusive resort where you usually only have to wear a mask when moving from one place to another within the resort but usually not for example in the pool or beach area as well as other parts but not sure if that is attractive for you.
Another country that came to mind is Costa Rica which allows entry to everyone as of NOV 1st. There are a lot of beautiful smaller resorts which could work and where you would probably only have to wear the mask moving from one place to another within the resort but not when going for walks in nature, beach, pool area etc.
The only problem I would foresee is the transfer from the airport to the accommodation but if you can get somekind of exemption, it could work very well.
Oct 31, 2020, 2:09 am
#632
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Probably yes, but it would be a hassle as The Bouncer described. Ultimately, even when the legal requirement can be waived, if people around you feel like you're a biological weapon threatening their lives, it's just no good. Therefore I still aim to spend most of my time in places where people aren't really into the thing (that's why I always ask about local customs, rather than regulations, e.g. my question about Finland above). Sweden seems to most stable in this aspect, as authorities seem to be well aware of masks' limits and disadvantages. I don't like the perspective of life being further restricted but ultimately I guess that even if they make rules tighter, staying in a mask-free location will trump staying in a more open place with a strict mask mandate.
Last edited by the810; Oct 31, 2020 at 2:38 am
Oct 31, 2020, 8:30 am
#633
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Largely similar to what you would expect in every day life, just with a mask. The beauty of Namibia is that it is a large country with only 2.5 million people, so it hardly ever feels crowded anywhere.
Oct 31, 2020, 8:33 am
#634
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Oct 31, 2020, 8:40 am
#635
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Oct 31, 2020, 11:43 am
#636
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Hungary has yet to impose restrictions on mass events, with schools and shops remaining open and football matches operating throughout the pandemic.
However, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a radio interview on Friday that authorities would hand out fines to anyone failing to wear a mask where required.
In Austria, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced new restrictions including a curfew from 20:00 to 06:00 and the closure of cafes and restaurants except for takeaway service.
He said that shops would remain open.
Greece is the latest country to announce a partial lockdown, with restaurants and other leisure activities closed in major Greek cities from Tuesday. "We must act now, before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday. Greece has not seen as many cases as other parts of Europe, but there has been a steady increase since early October
Belgium has announced a return to a national lockdown from Monday, as latest coronavirus figures show it has the highest infection rate in Europe. It means non-essential shops and businesses offering personal services like hair salons will be closed until mid-December. The country has more than half of its 2,000 intensive care unit beds already occupied by Covid-19 patients
England is set to announce a "stay at home" order lasting a month, which would exclude schools, colleges and universities.
However, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a radio interview on Friday that authorities would hand out fines to anyone failing to wear a mask where required.
In Austria, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced new restrictions including a curfew from 20:00 to 06:00 and the closure of cafes and restaurants except for takeaway service.
He said that shops would remain open.
Greece is the latest country to announce a partial lockdown, with restaurants and other leisure activities closed in major Greek cities from Tuesday. "We must act now, before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday. Greece has not seen as many cases as other parts of Europe, but there has been a steady increase since early October
Belgium has announced a return to a national lockdown from Monday, as latest coronavirus figures show it has the highest infection rate in Europe. It means non-essential shops and businesses offering personal services like hair salons will be closed until mid-December. The country has more than half of its 2,000 intensive care unit beds already occupied by Covid-19 patients
England is set to announce a "stay at home" order lasting a month, which would exclude schools, colleges and universities.
Oct 31, 2020, 2:52 pm
#637
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Sounds like Europe may be out for the purposes of this thread, except maybe Malta.
Oct 31, 2020, 3:24 pm
#638
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Nov 1, 2020, 8:09 am
#639
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To correct some of the many incorrect posts in this thread about France...
I just got back to my French home from a week long vacation in Andorra, Barcelona and Marseille. First off, Andorra and Barcelona were great. Especially the beach in Barca. Lots of people out simply enjoying themselves.
France went into confinement while we were in Barcelona. We then drove to Marseille. Zero border control, zero police controls anywhere at all. In Marseille at our hotel we enjoyed the spa, steam room, sauna and pool. We had room service and one night walked out to grab take out food. Again, no police control. And then we drove 4 hours to get home and again no police control. So it's really not too much of a burden. School restarts tomorrow and life goes on.
I just got back to my French home from a week long vacation in Andorra, Barcelona and Marseille. First off, Andorra and Barcelona were great. Especially the beach in Barca. Lots of people out simply enjoying themselves.
France went into confinement while we were in Barcelona. We then drove to Marseille. Zero border control, zero police controls anywhere at all. In Marseille at our hotel we enjoyed the spa, steam room, sauna and pool. We had room service and one night walked out to grab take out food. Again, no police control. And then we drove 4 hours to get home and again no police control. So it's really not too much of a burden. School restarts tomorrow and life goes on.
Nov 4, 2020, 2:15 pm
#640
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Greece is going on full national lockdown starting Sat 6am for 3-4 weeks, details to be announced tomorrow noon. It will be a full lockdown, you need a permission slip to get out of the house for approved reasons, as in last March.
Nov 4, 2020, 2:24 pm
#641
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The price for not taking it seriously. Pay a little now or pay a whole bunch later was their population's decision. Coming to a city near you.
Nov 4, 2020, 3:58 pm
#642
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The mistake - that we see everywhere - is that people seem to think they can declare victory and go back to normal. We cannot go back to normal because the virus is still with us and there is no magic cure. The mistake is opening indoor restaurants and bars, opening theatres and stadiums, and not requiring strict quarantine for exposed and sick people. This is what happened almost everywhere in Europe and USA this summer and now community spread is rampant.
The solution is not a total lockdown, but to implement common sense measures and insist that people wear masks and not have large parties indoors. The border closures are pointless but a nice way for politicians (and the public) to scapegoat foreigners instead of taking responsibility for their own actions and inactions.
Nov 4, 2020, 4:23 pm
#643
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Au contraire, Greece took it very seriously from Day 1 as was reflected in the very low numbers compared to the rest of Europe. Greece was an early success story.
The mistake - that we see everywhere - is that people seem to think they can declare victory and go back to normal. We cannot go back to normal because the virus is still with us and there is no magic cure. The mistake is opening indoor restaurants and bars, opening theatres and stadiums, and not requiring strict quarantine for exposed and sick people. This is what happened almost everywhere in Europe and USA this summer and now community spread is rampant.
The solution is not a total lockdown, but to implement common sense measures and insist that people wear masks and not have large parties indoors. The border closures are pointless but a nice way for politicians (and the public) to scapegoat foreigners instead of taking responsibility for their own actions and inactions.
The mistake - that we see everywhere - is that people seem to think they can declare victory and go back to normal. We cannot go back to normal because the virus is still with us and there is no magic cure. The mistake is opening indoor restaurants and bars, opening theatres and stadiums, and not requiring strict quarantine for exposed and sick people. This is what happened almost everywhere in Europe and USA this summer and now community spread is rampant.
The solution is not a total lockdown, but to implement common sense measures and insist that people wear masks and not have large parties indoors. The border closures are pointless but a nice way for politicians (and the public) to scapegoat foreigners instead of taking responsibility for their own actions and inactions.
Nov 4, 2020, 4:31 pm
#644
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Au contraire, Greece took it very seriously from Day 1 as was reflected in the very low numbers compared to the rest of Europe. Greece was an early success story.
The mistake - that we see everywhere - is that people seem to think they can declare victory and go back to normal. We cannot go back to normal because the virus is still with us and there is no magic cure. The mistake is opening indoor restaurants and bars, opening theatres and stadiums, and not requiring strict quarantine for exposed and sick people. This is what happened almost everywhere in Europe and USA this summer and now community spread is rampant.
The solution is not a total lockdown, but to implement common sense measures and insist that people wear masks and not have large parties indoors. The border closures are pointless but a nice way for politicians (and the public) to scapegoat foreigners instead of taking responsibility for their own actions and inactions.
The mistake - that we see everywhere - is that people seem to think they can declare victory and go back to normal. We cannot go back to normal because the virus is still with us and there is no magic cure. The mistake is opening indoor restaurants and bars, opening theatres and stadiums, and not requiring strict quarantine for exposed and sick people. This is what happened almost everywhere in Europe and USA this summer and now community spread is rampant.
The solution is not a total lockdown, but to implement common sense measures and insist that people wear masks and not have large parties indoors. The border closures are pointless but a nice way for politicians (and the public) to scapegoat foreigners instead of taking responsibility for their own actions and inactions.
Nov 5, 2020, 4:35 am
#645
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Ok, so for the purposes of this thread, Greece is more or less a non option.
Does anyone have any idea what the situation is like on the ground in Costa Rica? The entry requirements are all public knowledge, but I mean what to expect once you get there, in terms of restrictions and mask requirements?
Does anyone have any idea what the situation is like on the ground in Costa Rica? The entry requirements are all public knowledge, but I mean what to expect once you get there, in terms of restrictions and mask requirements?