Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

Anecdotage: I've rejoined the gym in the past month for rehabby stuff and, while people aren't wearing masks, they are generally being ok about sanitising before and after use. Men seem less conscientious than women tho, and I'm the only person who wipes down mats/Bosu/Swiss balls.

I just find it absurd to put on a mask in a shop after I cycled there and everybody on the road made sure I don't forget that the death penalty is back for cycling.
Also fucking creeps hassling my wife or her way to work are back.

Thanks for this - had seen the flightpass requirement - when you say 'upload jab evidence' I've got a written letter proving both jabs and the international travel, presumably you just mean the downloadable version from the NHS app? Cheers

Yes, you've got to upload the NHS app version. We had misunderstood that the Flightpass was necessary and did this in a panicked frenzy while waiting to take off on the runway. Fortunately, it comes to you instantly, though it is a bit fiddly. Very much recommend doing it a few days before.

Amazing, thank you. Final question, re return to the UK, as I understand it the requirements are that you have a negative LFT in the three days before you fly back (presumably you can get this test from Cyprus, as long as it is one of the approved versions with a 'result' you can evidence - do you need to 'upload' this in any way to the UK passenger locator form?) and you must have evidence (booking number?) of a pre-ordered PCR for your day 2 test from return. Is there anything else I'm overlooking that is required to complete this form/other formalities?

Cheers!

You need to show the negative LFT results to the check in desk to get on the plane (assume same process as Spain), it doesn't need to be linked to UK locator form.

To complete the UK locator form you need the booking references for your pre-ordered PCR day 2 test.

Fantastic, thank you

We finally, finally had a memorial for my uncle who died of Covid late march last year.

About 35 people in a covered pub garden. Have to say it freaked me out - it's the largest concentration of people I've spent more than a few minutes in close proximity to since the very first lockdown.

On a purely selfish level I REALLY do not want covid again, no matter how mild. I have gigs starting up again that it would break me to cancel through illness.

One should always wipe down their balls after exercise.

Swiss balls.

Code for some swish Swiss clinic monkey gland treatment?

On top of what @dubtap says, you need to be careful about what you book coming back - we had booked a video test within 3 days of return, but when we dialled in they told us it had to be within 48hrs (with no leeway) of your flight take-off time, so we rescheduled. There seemed to be quite a few places doing the tests locally in Paphos - we saw a few queues outside pharmacies - but we didn't speak to anyone about this, so don't know how easy/quick/expensive this was.

We did need to show the test results and booking form for our Day 2 test at check-in when leaving. Do get there early, with everyone having to find/show so many things on their phone, it takes ages.

Fantastic, thanks again! Not the right thread, but as we're also off to Paphos any top recommendations re restaurants/things to do etc?

We have a 4-yr old and were doing all-inclusive (never again) to avoid doing too much mixing outside, so our exploration outside was limited. We did visit the Tombs of the Kings, and hire a car to go to Aphrodite's Rock, Limassol and some lovely little villages in the mountains.

Also went to the turtle conservation beach at Lara Bay, which involves a few miles of sketchy offroad, but we had a Toyota fucking Corolla m8. We were there in the week, but were told they open some of the nests and set the baby turtles off at the weekend, which would have been great - it's the height of turtle season and there were hundreds of nests on the beach.

We did eat out 3 or 4 nights around the old harbour, which has shedloads of restaurants - was able to find a few vegan options in most places, which is our main concern. They mainly majored on seafood, unsurprisingly. Most things close in the afternoon. Keep your phone with your FlightPass with you. Can tell you nothing about nightlife as we don't do that anymore...

On the train, majority not in masks. Must all be superhuman and totally immune to common sense.

This is amazing, thank you - especially the heads up re baby turtle season, had not clocked that! Any names of the charming little villages or were they all equally pleasant?

Cheers

If you eat meat I highly recommend going to Viklari (Last Castle). They do really simple BBQ food (chicken or pork + chips + local wine) in an amazing location up on a hillside, sat outside underneath grapevines overlooking the sea. It is about 30 minutes drive north of Paphos and only open at lunch. You might need to book. There is a section of unpaved road up the hill, but it is fine in a normal car and taxis will take you. Laona in the old town is good as well for mezze style food.

This looks absolutely perfect, thank you! Going to book it now...

mini_com test results are negative, thank fuck. Almost exactly 24hrs to come back.

Seeing news about Ivermectin worth mentioning - (copy paste from US website)

"The study conducted by researchers in Nigeria screened 385 patients with river blindness to investigate the effects of Ivermectin on sperm function.

The researchers found that 85 percent of all male patients treated in a particular center with ivermectin in the recent past who went to the laboratory for routine tests were discovered to have developed various forms, grades and degrees of sperm dysfunction."

Right winger nutters sterilising themselves? Who are we to stop them? Carry on lads...

Bunch of numb nuts, eh?

I see what you did there.

Just listening in to my partner's work town hall - they're announcing that all US employees must be able to show proof of vaccination as a condition of continued employment. Some of the offices are in deep red states - that'll go down well.

We were talking about that at work the other day, if it's legal here, etc. Dug this out:

https://www.ft.com/content/965dfaf0-f070-4dae-93a6-28bedbdb75da

"Ministers are deeply uneasy because they fear that such passports could lead to discrimination against people who cannot, or will not, receive a Covid-19 jab."

Discriminating against people that cannot have the jab would be awful. Discriminating against people who will not is the fucking point!