[2020] Negative PCR-Test Now Required for Transit in NL from Dec 29
Dec 25, 20, 7:26 am
#1
formerly Sleepy_Sentry
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 601
[2020] Negative PCR-Test Now Required for Transit in NL from Dec 29
https://www.schiphol.nl/en/messages/coronavirus-update
This will disrupt plans for many travelers. I have a flight booked for 30 December and was surprised not to hear from KLM regarding this.
The requirement is for all countries, not just the UK.
Are you travelling to Schiphol from abroad and are you 13 years or older? Then, with effect from 00:01 on 29 December 2020, you are required to show your airline a declaration that you tested negative for COVID-19. The declaration must be brought with you throughout your entire journey. This can also be done digitally. Your negative test declaration may be checked when you arrive at Schiphol. This obligation applies to all passengers flying to Schiphol, transfers included. This is also mandatory for Dutch citizens.
The requirement is for all countries, not just the UK.
Last edited by danielflyer; Dec 25, 20 at 8:08 am
Dec 25, 20, 7:28 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: CDG, ORY, MRS
Programs: FB:Plat ALL:Plat
Posts: 142
https://www.schiphol.nl/en/messages/coronavirus-update
This will disrupt plans for many travelers. I have a flight booked for 30 December and was surprised not to hear from KLM regarding this.
This will disrupt plans for many travelers. I have a flight booked for 30 December and was surprised not to hear from KLM regarding this.
i have a flight tomorrow and its displayed once checked in..
Dec 25, 20, 8:41 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
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Posts: 2,357
This is already discussed at length in Self-quarantine in netherlands
Dec 25, 20, 8:54 am
#4
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 466
If this rule stays for long it will kill KLM, sadly.
Dec 25, 20, 9:44 am
#5
formerly Sleepy_Sentry
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 601
This is already discussed at length in Self-quarantine in netherlands
Or maybe mods could change the thread title and delete this? I see a lot more information in your thread.
Last edited by danielflyer; Dec 25, 20 at 9:56 am
Dec 25, 20, 5:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 903
Ive got a return flight on Jan 3 and I wont be able to do a test.
Can I ask Delta/KLM to route me differently, to avoid Amsterdam?
Can I ask Delta/KLM to route me differently, to avoid Amsterdam?
Dec 25, 20, 6:07 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 903
When I was buying my ticket, I specifically chose Delta/KLM because they didnt have those nonsensical requirements.
The change flight is free of charge, and no extra fees?
Dec 25, 20, 7:32 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,261
The trend is to ask for a test before boarding a flight. With the spread of the new strains that are much more transmissible, my bet is that it will quickly generalize to all major airlines
A large number of countries are now making a pre-departure test request.
The type of test will not be harmonized, enforcement will not be systematic, but it will be required.
A very few countries might resist to attract tourists, but major airlines with a transit hub need to institute uniform rules for their hub.
With the disparity and strengthening of test requirement of all destinations, a rather strict transit requirement is to be expected.
Frankly, it is too much to ask outstations agent (often third parties) to check the updated requirement for each final destination to allow transit in the hub.
Another argument is that mixing tested and tested pax n the plane and at the airport is "dangerous". Some airports can segregate arriving pax and transit pax (e.g. SIN or HKG), but that cannot be done at most airports.
If longhaul travel is to pick up from its near-zero current level, systematic testing before flying is one of the must, whatever the EU says . EU bureaucrats seem to live in another unreal world and should not be surprised that their "recommendations" (eg. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/def...rs-12-2020.pdf) are not followed by most member states.
Apologies for ranting.
A large number of countries are now making a pre-departure test request.
The type of test will not be harmonized, enforcement will not be systematic, but it will be required.
A very few countries might resist to attract tourists, but major airlines with a transit hub need to institute uniform rules for their hub.
With the disparity and strengthening of test requirement of all destinations, a rather strict transit requirement is to be expected.
Frankly, it is too much to ask outstations agent (often third parties) to check the updated requirement for each final destination to allow transit in the hub.
Another argument is that mixing tested and tested pax n the plane and at the airport is "dangerous". Some airports can segregate arriving pax and transit pax (e.g. SIN or HKG), but that cannot be done at most airports.
If longhaul travel is to pick up from its near-zero current level, systematic testing before flying is one of the must, whatever the EU says . EU bureaucrats seem to live in another unreal world and should not be surprised that their "recommendations" (eg. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/def...rs-12-2020.pdf) are not followed by most member states.
Apologies for ranting.
Last edited by brunos; Dec 25, 20 at 7:41 pm
Dec 25, 20, 8:45 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Posts: 156
If longhaul travel is to pick up from its near-zero current level, systematic testing before flying is one of the must, whatever the EU says . EU bureaucrats seem to live in another unreal world and should not be surprised that their "recommendations" (eg. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/def...rs-12-2020.pdf) are not followed by most member states.
Apologies for ranting.
Apologies for ranting.
conducting or requiring COVID- 19-related testing of prospective or incoming international travellers is not recommended as a tool to mitigate the risk of international spread
https://www.paho.org/en/file/79618/d...token=HiUBdv2k
The current behaviour of governments is strikingly similar to the security theatre that is hardly questioned anymore (shoes and liquids...). Its not based on sound evidence or scientific advice.
Dec 26, 20, 6:01 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: WAW
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It was nice flying with you, KLM, you'll forever stay in my heart and will be greatly missed.
(not that the idea of asking for a test itself is dumb, but I really doubt there are enough testing facilities for a reasonable price worldwide for such a measure to be rolled out)
(not that the idea of asking for a test itself is dumb, but I really doubt there are enough testing facilities for a reasonable price worldwide for such a measure to be rolled out)
Dec 26, 20, 7:11 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
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Posts: 15,261
l‘m not sure why you‘re ranting about „EU bureaucrats“ and their recommendations in this context. It‘s the various governments (NL is the latest example) that ignore sensible advice and impose uncoordinated testing requirements, simply to be seen to be doing something against COVID-19. Incidentally, „Pan-American bureaucrats“ (to use your terminology for the health experts of the PAHO) have issued very similar advice:
“conducting or requiring COVID- 19-related testing of prospective or incoming international travellers is not recommended as a tool to mitigate the risk of international spread“
https://www.paho.org/en/file/79618/d...token=HiUBdv2k
The current behaviour of governments is strikingly similar to the ‚security theatre‘ that is hardly questioned anymore (shoes and liquids...). It‘s not based on sound evidence or scientific advice.
“conducting or requiring COVID- 19-related testing of prospective or incoming international travellers is not recommended as a tool to mitigate the risk of international spread“
https://www.paho.org/en/file/79618/d...token=HiUBdv2k
The current behaviour of governments is strikingly similar to the ‚security theatre‘ that is hardly questioned anymore (shoes and liquids...). It‘s not based on sound evidence or scientific advice.
Of course, we have personal biases due, in part, to where we are based. And the experience in Asia is quite different from Europe.
I have no experience of current intra-European travel and focus on longhaul (I have flown Eu-Asia several times in 2020).
The airline industry is pushing hard for systematic 100% testing pre-departure. See for example a talk 3 months ago by De Juniac:
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/sp...2020-09-22-01/
Many countries outside of Europe are already requesting it and that seems to be the way US-UK ( and then EU) air travel can pick up.
.
But EU bureaucrats (and I guess some other bureaucratic organizations affiliated with WHO) have a very different opinion. Maybe the EU is primarily concerned with keeping the within-EU borders open.
Let's not get into a sterile discussion as to whether governments like NL do crazy things by not following "sensible" advice, or whether it is the advice that is not sensible.
The reality is that so many countries are imposing pre-departure tests that it will become a necessary (if not sufficient) condition for longhaul travel to resume. And longhaul often requires transit.
Imposing a pre-departure test for all passengers, even in transit will become the norm. The patchwork of test requirements of different countries put enormous constraints on airlines plus some loopholes, and can only be harmonized by systematic testing. Another alternative might be to strictly segregate transit pax from other pax, as done at several Asian airports. But that would not be feasible at many airports.
I understand that it can creates problems intra Europe, where some countries do not require a pre-departure test. And land travel might make stricter air measures a bit bizarre.
But with longhaul travel, there is no "land travel" alternative. Personally, I would feel much safer if I mix at airports only with pax having been tested.
BTW: Remember that even if the vaccine is 100% efficient, vaccinated people can get reinfected and infectious, although they do not develop symptoms/disease thanks to their immunity.
Dec 26, 20, 9:10 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 903
If so, this would be a significant hit in passenger numbers.
