Travel back from Germany

[engelside]

I am not absolutely clear if we need to self-isolate when we come back on Tuesday. We have been in Germany for about 10 days and will travel back from Hook of Holland. Don't intend to set foot out of the van in Holland and have a cabin on the ferry. Reading the government guidance they talk about transit stops but I am not really clear if that includes us. Anyone have a clearer view of the situation?

 

[benellioldman1]

We are going the other way on the 31xt August on the hook ferry we have interpreted the rules as ref to Holland avoid getting out or for fuel but if you must use a card payment at the pump and keep away from others I don't know if this correct but you have done your bit and you should not need to isolate in the UK

 

[IanRJ]

If you get out of your car on the ferry you must isolate when home AFAIK. I think because you can't determine if others on the ferry have infections. Only if you travel by tunnel and don't exit the vehicle can you avoid it.

 

[Landy Andy]

As I understand it you will have to quarantine for 14 Days from your return as you are getting onto a ferry

 

[olsgreen]

Using ferries you have to get out and mix with other passengers / crew when you board in the Netherlands, thus requiring you to quarantine.

Ferry firms furious as passengers who drive straight through France must still quarantine

Exclusive: ‘The government has not made the ferry industry aware of this’ – Abby Penlington of Discover Ferries

www.independent.co.uk

I've been researching the same thing, going through the channel tunnel is the only option that will prevent the need to quarantine on return as you are in your vehicle at all times, see section about private vehicles on the page below:

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

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[violet]

The last three posts are correct. If you use the ferry you must isolate for 14 days on your return. We had a ferry booked and cancelled it as soon as Netherlands came on to the quarantine list. We know other people who did the same. The only way is to transit directly through Belgium /France and do not mingle with anyone or let any new occupants into your vehicle.

 

[Rob Turner]

I came back from Germany last week and went straight to the tunnel.
No bother and no quarantine. As I read it, if you use the ferry you will need to have another 2 week holiday.

 

[engelside]

Just looking at the tunnel. The website says

If your van is carrying commercial goods, dangerous goods, or is over 3.5 tonnes (AGW) please get in touch or book using our freight service

But their freight website asks you to check a box that says that the vehicle is not a campervan?

Bit confusing that!

Looking at the potential weather for our 10 pm sailing on Tuesday night we might bite the bullet and lose our ferry fare and go on the shuttle. Will also save us the 14 day isolation.

 

[Landy Andy]

Just looking at the tunnel. The website says

But their freight website asks you to check a box that says that the vehicle is not a campervan?

Bit confusing that!

Looking at the potential weather for our 10 pm sailing on Tuesday night we might bite the bullet and lose our ferry fare and go on the shuttle. Will also save us the 14 day isolation.

You are not carrying commercial goods so you just book the same way as a car does then select camper

 

[Rob Turner]

Just book yourself as a Campervan.
Do not stop in France or Belgium when coming back.
When you are going out, if you do stop before you get to Germany then your quarantine will be over there, as long as it’s 14 days or more you’ll be fine.
If not and say you are away for 10 days then you will have to quarantine for 4 days when home but only if you stopped on the way out.
Aachen is one of the shortest routes into Germany from Calais.

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[engelside]

Just booked the tunnel. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[violet]

Looking at the potential weather for our 10 pm sailing on Tuesday night we might bite the bullet and lose our ferry fare and go on the shuttle. Will also save us the 14 day isolation.

When you booked your ferry was it non-refundable or Flexi? We had a Flexi fare booked and will be refunded apart from a £3 admin charge. Even if it is not refundable you might be able to move the crossing date to another date in the future. It is worth a try.

 

[engelside]

When you booked your ferry was it non-refundable or Flexi? We had a Flexi fare booked and will be refunded apart from a £3 admin charge. Even if it is not refundable you might be able to move the crossing date to another date in the future. It is worth a try.

It was - for the original return date (Sunday) because I thought we might extend. However, when I rebooked for tomorrow night I didn't go for flexi. Do you know how far forward I could move it?
What do they do if the forecast weather for tomorrow night (F7 to F9 winds) is correct. Do they cancel crossings in such cases?

 

[violet]

It was - for the original return date (Sunday) because I thought we might extend. However, when I rebooked for tomorrow night I didn't go for flexi. Do you know how far forward I could move it?
What do they do if the forecast weather for tomorrow night (F7 to F9 winds) is correct. Do they cancel crossings in such cases?

We have been put on sailings where the weather was so bad that everything in the ship was closed. Our son and family were on a sailing from Harwich to Esbjerg one Christmas where the weather was so atrocious that our DiL was thrown out the top bunk of the family cabin, and when our son went on deck the next morning instead of the coast of Denmark the ship was hugging the coast of Holland.
However if you contact the ferry company they might, because of circumstances, agree, as a customer service, to substitute your crossing date for another one next year. Give it a go!

 

[bigtwin]

Just book yourself as a Campervan.
Do not stop in France or Belgium when coming back.
When you are going out, if you do stop before you get to Germany then your quarantine will be over there, as long as it’s 14 days or more you’ll be fine.
If not and say you are away for 10 days then you will have to quarantine for 4 days when home but only if you stopped on the way out.
Aachen is one of the shortest routes into Germany from Calais.

Isn't this key?

It is unclear where engelside was before his/her “about 10 days“ in Germany (i.e. this is less than 14 days) If that was in a non exempt country then if less than 14 days had passed before entering the UK I’d expect quarantine to apply.

Ian

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[engelside]

Isn't this key?

It is unclear where engelside was before his/her “about 10 days“ in Germany (i.e. this is less than 14 days) If that was in a non exempt country then if less than 14 days had passed before entering the UK I’d expect quarantine to apply.

Ian

Left Harwich on 14th and was in Germany the same day. Leaving Germany Wednesday 26th and driving straight through France and onto shuttle.

My understanding is that we need to isolate until 28th (I.e. 14 days from leaving Holland)

This is assuming that what I am reading about using the tunnel is correct.

 

[engelside]

Just arrived at tunnel and were told by border force that we still have to isolate for 14 days. She said that people were fibbing about where they had been.

Given that we have pretty conclusive proof of our travels (Polarsteps app) I think we will have to think about her statement and act accordingly!

 

[EuroTrotters]

Just ridiculous

My Nephew and his family. . Who will have been on two flights. Mixed with 1,000’s of tourists in a massive complex (including Russians!). Been stood next to people with no masks on a jeep safari and water fight. All in Turkey are fine . Utter bullshit

 

[suavecarve]

Left Harwich on 14th and was in Germany the same day. Leaving Germany Wednesday 26th and driving straight through France and onto shuttle.

My understanding is that we need to isolate until 28th (I.e. 14 days from leaving Holland)

This is assuming that what I am reading about using the tunnel is correct.

If i have understood what you have done correctly.

You left UK on 14th via ferry and THEN entered Holland. Presuming no socialising in Holland the ferry socialising wouldnt matter as you are in UK til you go through passport control.
Then you to to Germany where you dont have to Q14 from.
Then you transit France (without socialising ?) and get on the tunnel (without socialising) today

If that is correct then in my view i see no reason to Q14.
If you socialised in Holland on 14th you would need to Q14 for 2 days (Q14 from the 14th)

 

[jessthedog]

Left Harwich on 14th and was in Germany the same day. Leaving Germany Wednesday 26th and driving straight through France and onto shuttle.

My understanding is that we need to isolate until 28th (I.e. 14 days from leaving Holland)

This is assuming that what I am reading about using the tunnel is correct.

You are correct. You have carried out ‘virtual‘ quarantine in Germany.

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