Here in the States, I'm debating with myself non-stop whether it's too risky to buy round-trip airfare and fly into London in time for the 3 Feb gig in Guildford and the 5 Feb gig at Brixton. I bought the tickets when this tour was first announced (along with one for the Reading gig, now moved to 22 Feb; the three shows were originally all in the same week) and have been pumped with excitement through all the postponements and Covid surges.
Following the news out of the UK daily, I see that "Plan B" restrictions will be lifted in England on 26 Jan, but I expect that Covid testing post-overseas flight will still be required as of 30 or 31 Jan, when I'd be landing at Heathrow. That's assuming airline staff shortages don't get my flight canceled. God forbid I test positive, despite my double jabs and recent booster shot. Would I be stuck quarantining in my hotel or--- just shoot me now--- at the airport? If so, could I sneak out and jump a train to Guildford anyway? And will trains let me board and venues let me enter by flashing my Centers for Disease Control-approved handwritten proof of vaccination card rather than an NHS card or NHS phone app, which I obviously will not have?
My specific worries as a traveler from America are on top of my general fears that I'm sure many of you fans are having, such as the gigs getting postponed again at the very last minute once we've already made our journeys, or stronger restrictions that would squash so much of the fun of a Stranglers concert being suddenly re-imposed on indoor crowding and pub gathering. I look forward to raising pints and swapping stories with fellow fans pre- and post-shows almost as much as I look forward to the band performances.
To hold tickets for two solid years to sold out shows by my favorite live band of all time and then voluntarily not attend will feel like kicking myself in the groin. Yet the obstacles and potential nasty surprises may render my trip logistically and emotionally difficult enough that I'll wish I abandoned these specific gigs and focused instead on attending the ones in Germany/Denmark/Sweden later in the year.
Are there other members of the Family in Black contemplating travel from foreign shores for this final full UK tour? I will sincerely appreciate all feedback and advice as I weigh this decision.
Nice and Sleazy wrote:Here in the States, I'm debating with myself non-stop whether it's too risky to buy round-trip airfare and fly into London in time for the 3 Feb gig in Guildford and the 5 Feb gig at Brixton. I bought the tickets when this tour was first announced (along with one for the Reading gig, now moved to 22 Feb; the three shows were originally all in the same week) and have been pumped with excitement through all the postponements and Covid surges.
Following the news out of the UK daily, I see that "Plan B" restrictions will be lifted in England on 26 Jan, but I expect that Covid testing post-overseas flight will still be required as of 30 or 31 Jan, when I'd be landing at Heathrow. That's assuming airline staff shortages don't get my flight canceled. God forbid I test positive, despite my double jabs and recent booster shot. Would I be stuck quarantining in my hotel or--- just shoot me now--- at the airport? If so, could I sneak out and jump a train to Guildford anyway? And will trains let me board and venues let me enter by flashing my Centers for Disease Control-approved handwritten proof of vaccination card rather than an NHS card or NHS phone app, which I obviously will not have?
My specific worries as a traveler from America are on top of my general fears that I'm sure many of you fans are having, such as the gigs getting postponed again at the very last minute once we've already made our journeys, or stronger restrictions that would squash so much of the fun of a Stranglers concert being suddenly re-imposed on indoor crowding and pub gathering. I look forward to raising pints and swapping stories with fellow fans pre- and post-shows almost as much as I look forward to the band performances.
To hold tickets for two solid years to sold out shows by my favorite live band of all time and then voluntarily not attend will feel like kicking myself in the groin. Yet the obstacles and potential nasty surprises may render my trip logistically and emotionally difficult enough that I'll wish I abandoned these specific gigs and focused instead on attending the ones in Germany/Denmark/Sweden later in the year.
Are there other members of the Family in Black contemplating travel from foreign shores for this final full UK tour? I will sincerely appreciate all feedback and advice as I weigh this decision.
I can't give you any advice but I feel for you mate.
We're all on hold unfortunately.
Nice and Sleazy wrote: ↑16 Jan 2022, 22:26
And will trains let me board and venues let me enter by flashing my Centers for Disease Control-approved handwritten proof of vaccination card rather than an NHS card or NHS phone app, which I obviously will not have?
The vaccination card isn't proof of anything - I don't know what yours is like, but my UK one is something I could knock up in ten minutes given a half-decent colour printer. There are procedures in place to link non-UK vaccination proofs - some information here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countries-w ... accination
(actually when I look at that page, it says for the USA "CDC card showing you’ve had a full course of an FDA-approved vaccine in the USA", so maybe that's what you have.)
I also have no helpful advice, but I do feel for all of the people who are having to decide whether to make a significant journey to the gigs, just as I have some admiration for them putting in the miles in normal times. My biggest inconvenience is having to drive to the Manchester gig because the last train home on a Saturday night is just about on 11pm from a station that's a ten minute walk away, so I'd have to miss the end of the gig to catch it.