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The Future Travel for a World in Lockdown


duke007

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On 8/18/2020 at 1:17 PM, Quietguy said:

There's a possibility that Phuket might be opened to 'safe and sealed' tourists from October, where tourists are allowed in to stay at quarantine hotels and use specified section of beach. I might consider that for January/February if I couldn't get back to Jomtien.

https://loyaltylobby.com/2020/08/17/crazy-plan-to-allow-international-tourist-arrivals-in-koh-samui-thailand/

Have a good look at the rules planned before you commit QG  ,  it doesn't look like that good a trip .

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On 8/19/2020 at 1:34 PM, BigTel said:

 

Have a good look at the rules planned before you commit QG  ,  it doesn't look like that good a trip .

Yeah, it's just wishful thinking. I'd really like to get some warmth and sunshine in Jan/Feb and escape a cold dark dreary London.

I think I could handle being confined to a hotel for 14 days if there was some sort of entertainment in the evenings, but not if I was just confined to room. 

I can't see many people taking that up, unless they are intending a long stay once their quarantine ends.

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the nastiest part of this greatly restricted travel Imm policy, in any place I've seen, is the 14 day quarantine costing 5 star hotel prices. It's BAD ENOUGH being stuck in your room with not much access to anything else but to charge people huge money...well, they're just raping the wallets of those that are thick enough to go for it.  Oh you can come, stay in "jail" for 2 weeks and pay ridiculous prices for it. I really wonder just HOW MANY will do this.  You KNOW they won't be honest (rofl) about how well this is working for them.

Essentially all travel is off world wide as countries bunker down for a possibly VERY long period.  Meanwhile the junta chuckles with glee, knowing that MOST sex oriented bars will go under and their "new Thai order" will proceed much faster than they planned.  OUT with backpackers, budget tourists, "sex" tourists (this is obnoxious, I can enjoy the food, culture, sights but if I take part of one of life's joys, I'm a sex tourist? Maybe the entry requirements should specifically state that one MUST live as a celibate.) etc.  Only the 2 week millionaire type of tourist will come...and LEAVE SOON. 

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on the plus side the stresses of NO economy for the masses might just embolden many to join protests and a nationwide voice against military rule might occur.

Providing them that rule don't figure out they can infect opposition voices then stash them in special "quarantine" locations.

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Here is a study that was published in the Journal of American Medical Association about the risk of catching COVID-19 during a flight. This was also posted on the CNN website.

Quote

The odds of catching Covid-19 on an airplane are slimmer than you think, scientists say

Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN  Updated 20th August 2020
(CNN) — Sitting squeezed between a number of strangers on board an aircraft might feel like a risky position during these uncertain times.
But according to some experts who point to the very few documented cases of in-flight transmission, the chances of catching Covid-19 while on board a flight are actually relatively slim.
Fear of flying during the pandemic has drastically reduced global air traffic, which has also been restricted due to border closures. If new scientific claims are borne out, the perceived heightened risk of boarding an airplane could be unfounded.
In one case, about 328 passengers and crew members were tested for coronavirus after it was learned that a March 31 flight from the US to Taiwan had been carrying 12 passengers who were symptomatic at the time. However, all the other passengers tested negative, as did the crew members.
And while there have certainly been cases of infected passengers passing the virus on to an airplane's crew or fellow travelers in recent months, the transmission rates are low.
A study recently published in medical journal JAMA Network Open found evidence of the possible spread of coronavirus during a four-hour flight from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt in March.
Two passengers developed infections after flying with a group of tourists who had come into contact with an infected hotel manager and also became infected, according to researchers from the Institute for Medical Virology at Goethe University in Frankfurt.
The two who may have been infected were seated at the back of the aircraft, directly across the aisle from seven passengers who had unknowingly picked up the virus.
An earlier flight from the UK to Vietnam on March 2, in which one passenger seemingly spread the virus to around 14 other passengers, as well as a crew member, is so far believed to be the only known on-board transmission to multiple people.
One explanation for the apparently low risk level is that the air in modern aircraft cabins is replaced with new fresh air every two to three minutes, and most planes are fitted with air filters designed to trap 99.99% of particles.
Meanwhile, various new protocols have been implemented, such as face-coverings for both passengers and crew, which is mandatory on most airlines, temperature screenings, as well as more intensive cabin cleaning and limited movement in the cabin during flight.
Arnold Barnett, a professor of statistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management, tried to quantify the odds of becoming infected with the virus while on board a short flight in a recent study that looked at the benefits of the empty middle seat policy.
According to his findings, based on short haul flights in the US on aircraft configured with three seats on either side of the aisle, such as the Airbus 320 and the Boeing 737 -- and assuming everyone is wearing a mask -- the risk of catching the virus on a full flight is just 1 in 4,300. Those odds fall to 1 in 7,700 if the middle seat is vacant.
"Most things are more dangerous now than they were before Covid, and aviation is no exception to that," he tells CNN Travel.
"But three things have to go wrong for you to get infected (on a flight). There has to be a Covid-19 patient on board and they have to be contagious," he says. "If there is such a person on your flight, assuming they are wearing a mask, it has to fail to prevent the transmission.
"They also have to be close enough that there's a danger you could suffer from the transmission."
Barnett says he took all of these probabilities into account before determining an overall transmission risk.
These figures are specifically for two-hour flights within the United States, the country currently with the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world.
The odds will be lower for flights taken in parts of the globe with few cases and higher for long haul flights as "the ratio of proximity is a factor along with the existence of proximity," he says.
Barnett goes on to state that there isn't much of a difference in terms of risk between passengers sitting in an aisle seat on a full flight and those in the window seat.
However, the chances of becoming infected are ever so slightly higher for those in aisle seats, because they simply have more people around them.
"You're endangered by the people sitting next to you in the same row," he says. "And to a lesser extent, the people in the row behind and the row ahead.
"Statistically, the window seat is a little safer than the middle seat or the aisle seat on a plane that's full. But it's not a big difference."
Barnett's research is based on the assumption that flights are operating at full volume, but it's worth noting that many are still running at reduced capacity.
Although the US Transportation Security Administration reported that traffic through airport security checkpoints had passed 800,000 for the first time since the pandemic earlier in August, this was still a 31% decrease on the numbers for the same day in 2019.
The professor is a strong supporter of the middle seats empty policy, which has been adopted by the likes of Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways.
However, the International Air Transport Association (IATA,) describes this approach as "economically unfeasible" for airlines.
"Screening, face coverings and masks are among the many layers of measures that we are recommending," Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO said in an official statement released last month. "Leaving the middle seat empty, however, is not."
De Juniac goes on to suggest that an effective Covid-19 test that can be administered at scale, and immunity passports could also be included as temporary biosecurity measures if they become available.
"We must arrive at a solution that gives passengers the confidence to fly and keeps the cost of flying affordable," he adds. "One without the other will have no lasting benefit."
Although different airlines have slightly different measures in place, the overall guidance for passengers is to wear a mask, wash their hands regularly and check in online to minimize the risks of in flight transmission.
However, Barnett recommends that travelers take things one step further by wearing a shield.
"There are various things that can be done to take the risk, which is small, and make it even smaller," he says.
"Because it (a shield) covers your eyes, nose and mouth, it lessens the risk of others infecting you.
"The science is changing every day, but my understanding is, if you wear a mask, it greatly reduces the chance of you infecting others. But it doesn't protect you all that much, whereas a shield will protect you.
"If I were flying now, I would certainly wear a shield."
This view is somewhat supported by a new research report from the UK's University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, which concludes that using plastic barriers called personal protection seat shields will reduce the risk of Covid-19 contamination significantly, provided they are worn with face masks.
According to the "Face Coverings, Aerosol Dispersion and Mitigation of Virus Transmission Risk" report, jets of air can leak from the sides and back as well as the front of face masks.
It recommends that aircraft seats be fitted with personal protection windows (PPW,) clear plastic barriers designed by UK-based aircraft interior and exterior specialist RAS Completions, which can be secured to the back and sides of any seat on an airplane.
"Our recommendation is that airlines should make face masks mandatory, and if used in conjunction with PPW and regular cleaning of PPW, Covid-19 contamination risk is kept to a minimum," say the report's co-author Dr. Cathal Cummins, an assistant professor at Heriot-Watt University, also in Edinburgh.
"If all three measures are mandatory, together with good personal hygiene, airlines can increase passenger protection."

High-risk groups

In July, Qatar Airways became the first airline to make it compulsory for passengers to wear a face shield in addition to a face mask or face covering.
The shields, which are supplied by the carrier, are obligatory for economy class passengers, unless they're eating or drinking, while those traveling in business class can wear them "at their own discretion, as they enjoy more space and privacy."
However, all passengers must wear them during boarding and deplaning.
Philippine Airlines followed suit earlier this month, so it seems likely other carriers may choose to implement this rule in the future.
Before boarding their flight, customers traveling with the Middle East carrier will be issued with protection kits -- including face shields, hand sanitizer, a surgical face mask and disposable gloves.
Although it's clear that such precautions can greatly limit the danger of infection, which is already relatively slim, for some travelers, any level of risk is simply too much of a gamble, particularly those in high-risk groups.
Barnett stresses that it will take the development of a vaccine or a change in the care available to Covid-19 patients for those anxious travelers to feel comfortable flying again, regardless of how many safety measures are put in place.
He is choosing not to fly himself at present due to various risk factors -- at 72, Barnett has a higher risk of contracting the virus, while men are more likely to die from the virus than women.
"I miss it quite a bit," he admits. "I think flying is beautiful and under normal circumstances inordinately safe.
"But these are not normal circumstances."
CNN Health's Naomi Thomas contributed to this story

I recently had to take 2 flights, one from an Arabian Gulf country to Montreal Canada (12 hours) and then 6 weeks later return from Montreal to the Arabian Gulf Country. The first flight was 100% full, and the return flight was 90% full. On the outward bound flight, all passengers had to wear face masks except when eating. On the inward bound flight, all passengers had to wear provided face shields and face masks. I opted to use my own N95 masks for both flights. No one on these flights contracted COVID 19. The cabin crew wore full length protective suits and hoods (almost like a biohazard suit) on the outbound flight, and on the inbound flight they wore a protective coveralls, face masks and either face shield or protective wrap around safety eye googles.

The meal service was different as each item on the meal tray was now sealed. It used to be only the hot dish was wrapped in foil, the bun/bread was loose, and a slip cover was on the salad/dessert containers. I also adjusted the air stream so it was blowing just in front of me.

 

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On 8/13/2020 at 10:11 AM, Quietguy said:

I don't think I will be travelling again even if there is a vaccine as I have a severe phobia of injections - I haven't had any since the mandatory childhood vaccinations which were what gave me my phobia.

If a vaccine were available in the form of a nasal spray, orally or by high pressure jet I would be first in the queue.

Last night there was a report on BBC tv about a vaccine being developed by Cambridge University. They are also developing a hand held high pressure innoculator as they recognise many people have injection phobias.

It has raised my hopes of a return to los! :biggrin:

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If you had told me two weeks ago that I would be holidaying in Turkey today then I would have thought you were mad, its not a destination that I have  really considered before.

However that changed when Jet2 cancelled my holiday to Benidorm on August 13th, so I took their voucher refund option and booked a 'jolly' to Gumbet, it has worked out well as I get an extra 3 days holiday plus its £100 cheaper ( which will be refunded to my bank).

Even more of a surprise was getting a message from my good pal Pentire who said he would be in Bodrum ( 5 minute taxi ride away)from yesterday.

We haven't seen each other since 69 Bar a few years ago so it was great to catch up last night in Gumbet for a couple of drinks and a chinwag.:drinks:

We shall be meeting up again for a few drinks this afternoonon, this time on  Pentire's turf in Bodrum's marina area, which is beautiful.B)

Just goes to show what a small world we live in. :biggrin:

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11 hours ago, bumblebee said:

There is a small scene there, I recall seeing a documentary about it a few years back.  Happy hunting Duke. :character00274:

Pentire says 'Hi' back, we had a lovely long walk along Gumbet Bay and Bodrum Marina yesterday afternoon, I did forget to mention that I brought my Yacht with me. :wink:

What Lockdown? :drinks:

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17 hours ago, Tomcat said:

nice Dave .. I think i met Pentire last time at one of Stogie Bears 49th birthday parties... Stogie was 49 for at least 4 years as i recall

I will never forget the meet up Pentire organised at Leicester Racecourse in a Private Box years ago (July 2009).

Myself, Stogie, Kateoylover, Seamus, Socrates, titleist, Kev the New York Copper plus a few others from the Asian TS forum turned up..., Seamus turned up with his Flipper ladyboy girlfriend, she was absolutely stunning. :spiteful:

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 9/12/2020 at 12:48 AM, Jimmy Cargopants said:

When do guys expect to travel to Thailand again? Earliest possible dates..

I'm in  Sweden and friday a spokes person for the biggest insurance company for travel agencies in Scandinavia,  announced his company are cancelling the insurances. Force majeure kind of.  His prediction is, and hes all for getting going asap, 2022 for tourism as we know it. We can forget about 2021,  according to him.  Not very uplifting.

Personally I'm more optimistic. Never travel charter, just buy a seat and book lodging separately. I was hoping for this upcoming winter, but its not very realistic now.  Second part of 2021, maybe?

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Maybe this could be something for you expats in Pattaya. Its not April 1, is it?:biggrin:

With travel limited, plane cafes take off in Thailand

https://www.yahoo.com/news/travel-limited-plane-cafes-off-050929980.html

With millions around the world stuck at home due to the pandemic, "plane cafes" in Thailand are offering customers the chance to pretend they are in the sky -- and the idea seems to have taken off.

On board a retired commercial airplane in the coastal city of Pattaya, coffee drinkers make themselves comfy on first-class-style seats and pose for photos by the overhead lockers.

Boarding passes in hand, some "passengers" even opt for a tour of the cockpit.

"With this cafe I can sit in first class and also mess around in the cockpit pretending to be the captain of the plane," 26-year-old Thipsuda Faksaithong told AFP. "It's a lot of fun."

 

Chalisa Chuensranoi, 25, said her visit was as good as any trip she had taken before the pandemic, which shuttered Thailand's borders in March.

"Sitting right here in the first-class section... really gives me the feeling of actually being on a plane, cruising through the air," she said.

In another cafe at the headquarters of national carrier Thai Airways in Bangkok, hungry diners appear even to have missed plane food as they gobble up spaghetti carbonara and Thai-style beef served on plastic trays by cabin crew.

 

But for Intrawut Simapichet, 38, who came to the cafe with his wife and baby, the experience is about more than a meal.

"Normally I'm a person who travels very often, and when we are forced to stay at home... it's kind of depressing," he said as fellow passengers posed with luggage by a fake airplane door.

"(The cafe) relieves what's missing."

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beyond a pool, there's gonna be some epic meet ups :) 

hmmm, something just occurred to me...could a private group book an entire hotel for use as a quarantine location?  Say, ohh, one on Nana? Have food delivered, get cam feeds from roving "reporters", stuff like that.  Obviously the government would have to have a supervisor on site at all times.  

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Excellent news. Hopefully the quarantine will be axed and affordable air fares available.

Thailand will start issuing special visas to foreign tourists starting October, easing a more than five-month-old ban on visitors to revive the nation’s ailing tourism-reliant economy.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s cabinet approved a proposal to issue visas to tourists planning to stay between 90 and 280 days in Thailand, according to government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. The tourists will undergo a mandatory 14-day state quarantine on arrival at partner hotels or hospitals and follow health and safety regulations, she said.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/thailand-moves-step-closer-welcoming-105436762.html

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