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epowell Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4733 Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 8:07 am Post subject: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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[My hope is that this thread can become a kind of REAL-TIME info-source where people on the ground in countries all around the world can post info pertaining to whatever we need to know with regard to making van trips to and thru different places.]
That time of the year again is approaching fast, - now planning:
1) Summer trip around the Balkans in GEorge
2) Late Summer trip to B.C. to visit my other van "Antonio"
I am sure we all have slightly different opinions regarding What the Henry has happen over the last 3 months - but I'll say right from the start that I strongly prefer not even to have to take a Covid test, so if that means just staying at home all Summer and not even making my annual trip to Canada to visit "Antonio" and my elderly Mom, then so be it.
Here is Czech the lockdown was never so strict but the borders all closed. Now they are re-opening and you can leave the country, but when you return you are REQUIRED TO TAKE A COVID TEST ($150US you must pay). So until this requirement drops I won't be leaving the country.
The good news is that we are now hearing that all the EU will be opening in June and all manditory COVID testing will also be dropped... if this is the case, we will be really happy because we intend to take off in GEorge for at least all of July - head from Czech thru Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, to Albania and maybe Greece/Kosovo etc.
My hope is that this thread can become a kind of REAL-TIME info-source where people on the ground in countries all around the world can post info pertaining to whatever we need to know with regard to making van trips to and thru different places.
For example if you know for a fact that your country is OPEN (and if COVID TEST will or will-not be required), this will be great. And once the Summer progresses people actually travelling can post here describing their experiences getting thru various border crossings.
- - -
Other info that would be very nice to have will be what is happening around the world regarding AIR travel. I personally am very concerned about this - I have 2 homes half way around the world from eachother, vans in both places as well as family and other assets. Again, I strongly prefer not to have to take any COVID tests, and Vaccination (should that become available and required for travel) - so I foresee a potential problematic future with regarding to visiting my elderly mom and van in Canada...
As we know this weird situation is very confusing and changing minute by minute - so when anyone gets updated info and better yet actually realtime experience flying around the globe - can you please post your info here as well.
Thanks a lot!
I hope this post will not be considered "off-topic" because if very much pertains to our ability to travel in our vans, and travel TO our vans around the world... what is the point in having a van if you can't make trips in them or TO them???
Thanks everyone!
Ed _________________ www.edwardpowell.com |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2795 Location: North Carolina
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epowell Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4733 Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 9:06 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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Believe me, I have already resigned myself to the most likely eventuality of just staying here in Czech until perhaps Summer 2021 (let's not discuss the possibility of a '2nd wave')... but as things ease up I'm keeping my ears open.
I have no problem at all with self-quarantine, but I don't want to have to take any COVID test. The Canadian link there says nothing about testing.
I'm also wondering about what the planes are going to be like? Will they only allow 1/3 of passengers onto the planes?
---
Another question I'll sneak in --- Does anyone know if it is possible to renew BC Drivers licenses from abroad? Mine expires on Aug13 2020!
Thanks! _________________ www.edwardpowell.com |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9923 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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I'm more optimistic I'd say. Various countries are already loosening up and talking about the pace of further steps to return to more normal travel conditions over the next few months.
I already put my money where my mouth is, rolled the dice, and bought round trip airline tickets to Northern Europe for very late summer. Non-refundable type.
I'm slightly more worried about the airline still being in business than virus restrictions.
Mark |
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fishgo Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 127 Location: Madison, WI
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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And similar guidelines are why I'm not in Scotland right now.
https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control
Again, I wouldn't expect any of this to change this year, personally.[/quote]
And I was to fly into Glasgow via Heathrow on June 8 for 2 weeks. That plan got cancelled and this is a nice reminder. |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10371 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3115 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 9:56 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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One of the few places in the world with no cases, the Cooke Islands, is currently closed to entry and may be until 2022 - although the announcement I saw was pretty vague about how/when they will decide to reopen.
My fingers are crossed that all is well by 2024 when my wife and I hope to revisit the scene of our honeymoon during our 20-yr anniversary. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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epowell Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4733 Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 11:05 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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crazyvwvanman wrote: |
I'm more optimistic I'd say. Various countries are already loosening up and talking about the pace of further steps to return to more normal travel conditions over the next few months.
I already put my money where my mouth is, rolled the dice, and bought round trip airline tickets to Northern Europe for very late summer. Non-refundable type.
I'm slightly more worried about the airline still being in business than virus restrictions.
Mark |
2nd wave possibility notwithstanding I am sure travel in North Europe by August will certainly be fine - if you have no problems with taking a COVID test. However likely no testing will be required.... let's see and hope. _________________ www.edwardpowell.com |
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epowell Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4733 Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 11:13 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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Excellent! Thanks for this!
So they are currently sending out temporary BCDLs? Are they all a standard length of validity? How long?? _________________ www.edwardpowell.com |
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epowell Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4733 Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 11:15 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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SCM wrote: |
One of the few places in the world with no cases, the Cooke Islands, is currently closed to entry and may be until 2022 - although the announcement I saw was pretty vague about how/when they will decide to reopen.
My fingers are crossed that all is well by 2024 when my wife and I hope to revisit the scene of our honeymoon during our 20-yr anniversary. |
Interesting! Thanks
2024? ...I guess by then it could go either way. _________________ www.edwardpowell.com |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10371 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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epowell wrote: |
Excellent! Thanks for this!
So they are currently sending out temporary BCDLs? Are they all a standard length of validity? How long?? |
edited for clarity.
You're welcome.
Shortly after I renewed my license in late April via phone call, I was issued a 3 month temporary paper license. YMMV, this COVID stuff is changing daily it seems.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN
Last edited by Vanagon Nut on Thu May 28, 2020 7:38 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jeffrey Lee Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014 Posts: 1488 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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epowell wrote: |
SCM wrote: |
My fingers are crossed that all is well by 2024 when my wife and I hope to revisit the scene of our honeymoon during our 20-yr anniversary. |
2024? ...I guess by then it could go either way. |
I hope you're not referring to the marriage?! |
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epowell Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4733 Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 12:55 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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Vanagon Nut wrote: |
Shortly after I renewed my license in late April via phone call, I was issued a 3 month temporary paper license. YMMV, this COVID stuff is changing daily it seems.
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It is... hense the need for this thread.
Thanks _________________ www.edwardpowell.com |
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alaskadan Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013 Posts: 1857 Location: anchor pt. alaska
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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I think you should all stay home and not come here. More fish for me. Oh sorry, you still gotta two week quarantine once you get here. |
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epowell Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2015 Posts: 4733 Location: Czech (mostly) Vancouver (sometimes)
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 1:59 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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alaskadan wrote: |
I think you should all stay home and not come here. More fish for me. Oh sorry, you still gotta two week quarantine once you get here. |
As we know, the situation changes day by day, but according to the current rules I would not be allowed to stay at my Mom's place because she is over 65.
You are right - as long as such rules remain in place I won't be coming home... let's hope this passes by. _________________ www.edwardpowell.com |
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J Charlton Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: The True North Strong and Free
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 5:58 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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I hope that some folks start chipping in on this thread with reports about restrictions or lack of them for interstate travel in the US.
Currently in Canada, interprovincial travel is discouraged to a variety of degrees - from Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland Labrador having closed borders, 8 provinces having checkpoints, outright bans into some of the remote Northern areas and all of Canada operating with mandatory quarantine for 14 days for all travel from outside the country.
I'm particularly interested as we have a trailer load of NAHT hightops destined for Colorado, Utah, Oregon and Washington -
Pre pandemic shutdown plans had the shipment ready to roll about Ap. 1 - we slowed down production for anticipated May 1, then again for June 1 - right now our plan is to make a plan when there is some clarity - I think that we'd be crossing about 20 states and 5 provinces to make the trip. _________________ NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024 |
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seventyfo Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 916 Location: Ocoee FL
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 6:14 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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We were planning a trip out to Oregon for Descend On Bend, now it’s cancelled. Have reservations at Moraine In RCMP in late August and had planned about three weeks of road trip through CO, ID, WY, OR and CA and back. Not so sure if this will be happening now. _________________ 85 Vanagon GL Westy GW 2.2 (Rebuilt by YT)
"I don't know you well enough to care about your comments". Watkins Cravey |
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thatbaldwinlife Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2011 Posts: 777 Location: Out exploring
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:18 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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We were going to Colorado but have cancelled that and will be doing a tour of our home state, specifically the south east side. Luckily for us, Oregon is very diverse and has a lot to offer.
nate _________________ 1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5076 Location: denver
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:53 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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Our Denver to Yosemite and places between trip has been canceled so we're staying within Colorado this summer; however, everybody is staying in-state this summer so we haven't really figured out how to approach it. I've heard that even the 4-hours-from-Denver sweet spots are getting crowded.
There are mixed messages from mountain communities. Some want travelers to return due to the economic downturn; others don't want dirty city people spreading 'Rona in their towns. As a result I don't know what the hell to do, except kick myself for not having a house with a big backyard for home camping.
At least we're healthy, safe, and working. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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seventyfo Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 916 Location: Ocoee FL
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 11:24 am Post subject: Re: Summer trip? Which borders are open? Where are tests required? |
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We haven’t canceled yet still a couple months off for us _________________ 85 Vanagon GL Westy GW 2.2 (Rebuilt by YT)
"I don't know you well enough to care about your comments". Watkins Cravey |
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