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That is my concern. I do have travel insurance to help with some of the cost, so that part is taken care of.BTW there are pilgrims very recently who have contracted Omicron while we were walking. So far all of them we heard about were staying in communal rooms…
That is my concern. I do have travel insurance to help with some of the cost, so that part is taken care of.
I'm coming from the US and I have all these same concerns. As far as I can tell, most people have made it unscathed, so the odds are in my favor.I haven’t looked at medical travel insurance lately, and I’m from the US so my comments are country-specific. I had a good plan last year, high medical expenses limit, evacuation and repatriation, covid coverage, etc.
A couple of things to be on the lookout for: Most plans, I believe, cover medical expenses related to covid. Maybe things have changed, but last year were only a few that covered the accommodation/meals/etc cost of a covid isolation or quarantine. With so many people contracting covid abroad now, I expect that the plans will adapt to the changed landscape.
More worrisome for me than the cost of a more or less one week confinement in Spain are the issues surrounding how I will get back to the US if I have had covid overseas. I know the CDC regs cover it, but it requires some attention to detail, particularly with regard to testing and medical reports.
There have been more posts of boosted people catching-omicron, now, then pre omicron. When we walked in Sept during the Delta variant and there were rarely reports of quarantines on this website as I recall.I'm coming from the US and I have all these same concerns. As far as I can tell, most people have made it unscathed, so the odds are in my favor.
I haven't seen any actual numbers or even anyone posting that they did catch it on the Camino. My nerves are getting the best of me.
There have been more posts of boosted people catching-omicron, now, then pre omicron. When we walked in Sept during the Delta variant and there were rarely reports of quarantines on this website as I recall.
Yes, I think that’s right. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the predominant covid question on the forum shifts from “how do I get into Spain” to “how do I get home from Spain if I get covid on the camino?”
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm happy that it was mild for you!We traveled out of the country and got Covid in April (I canceled my Portuguese Caminho scheduled for May because of fatigue). I recommend reading the CDC guidelines ahead of time to familiarize yourself with what's required. Friends who we traveled with and who were leaving the country before us tested positive. Our symptoms were very mild and we wouldn't have gotten tested ahead of time but did and found we were positive. We thought we had bad colds. We ended up going to a doctor (we had difficulty finding an English speaking doctor in a Spanish speaking country, but did) nine days after our symptoms started. By the time we went to the doctor, we did not have symptoms (but were still testing positive). He examined us and wrote a letter of recovery from Covid so that we were able to fly on day 11 after the onset of symptoms. He also gave us our medical report as supporting documentation. Have the CDC requirements on your phone when you go to the doctor (so the doctor knows what information to include) and when you go to check-in to leave. We still had difficulty with the airline check-in folks and had to explain the CDC provisions to them. It's understandable as English isn't their first language. I don't regret traveling out of the country but understand your concerns about communal sleeping. We got ours on a small boat on the Amazon, where we were in close contact with fellow passengers for a week.
I have similar reservations. I am planning my Camino for May, 2023. I would love to hear of your experiences.I finally leave on May 16 but I am getting a little nervous about staying in albergues with so many people in the same room. My worries are probably a little more than they need to be as I am fully vaccinated and had covid in January of this year. I know I have the option to stay in private rooms, but I don't want to break the bank or miss out on all the snoring, people waking you up at 5a, the community.
Anyone out there on the trail that can ease my mind?
Before anyone mentions it, I know its a personal decision. I am interested in hearing from people that are out there now or have recently walked.
I have just walked Lisbon to Porto and felt safe in all the Albergues I slept. Only elderly and pharmacists and on public transport are u reminded that covid is still present. Walk relax and enjoy. Just stay careful. Dont stress. Bon caminoI finally leave on May 16 but I am getting a little nervous about staying in albergues with so many people in the same room. My worries are probably a little more than they need to be as I am fully vaccinated and had covid in January of this year. I know I have the option to stay in private rooms, but I don't want to break the bank or miss out on all the snoring, people waking you up at 5a, the community.
Anyone out there on the trail that can ease my mind?
Before anyone mentions it, I know its a personal decision. I am interested in hearing from people that are out there now or have recently walked.
You have your mask on in the Pilgrim Office.We have been so careful, but after the line inside yesterday getting our compostelas for our friends, I am concerned. But no symptoms. We will self-test in SdC before heading to MAD tomorrow for our official antigen test.
And keep 1,50 meters distance and wash your hands all the time .You have your mask on in the Pilgrim Office.
And when people are afraid don't come to Spain.
I finished Coastal and SdC/Finisterre/Muxia/SdC in April, finished Central last week and tested positive for Corona last Friday. I am still in Portugal and in quarantine in Porto. For me not a problem as I already planned to stay another three weeks. Another member of my Camino family also tested positive. Both fully vaccinated. We slept in albergues, mainly municipale. But I also hugged quite a lot of people when we reached SdC. I am not very ill. But yes it happens: people do get COVID on the way.I finally leave on May 16 but I am getting a little nervous about staying in albergues with so many people in the same room. My worries are probably a little more than they need to be as I am fully vaccinated and had covid in January of this year. I know I have the option to stay in private rooms, but I don't want to break the bank or miss out on all the snoring, people waking you up at 5a, the community.
Anyone out there on the trail that can ease my mind?
Before anyone mentions it, I know its a personal decision. I am interested in hearing from people that are out there now or have recently walked.
Don’t hug, kiss , embrace etc Don’t spread the (covid) newsI finished Coastal and SdC/Finisterre/Muxia/SdC in April, finished Central last week and tested positive for Corona last Friday. I am still in Portugal and in quarantine in Porto. For me not a problem as I already planned to stay another three weeks. Another member of my Camino family also tested positive. Both fully vaccinated. We slept in albergues, mainly municipale. But I also hugged quite a lot of people when we reached SdC. I am not very ill. But yes it happens: people do get COVID on the way.
You are right! I should have know better!!Don’t hug, kiss , embrace etc Don’t spread the (covid) news
I haven’t looked at medical travel insurance lately, and I’m from the US so my comments are country-specific. I had a good plan last year, high medical expenses limit, evacuation and repatriation, covid coverage, etc.
A couple of things to be on the lookout for: Most plans, I believe, cover medical expenses related to covid. Maybe things have changed, but last year were only a few that covered the accommodation/meals/etc cost of a covid isolation or quarantine. With so many people contracting covid abroad now, I expect that the plans will adapt to the changed landscape.
More worrisome for me than the cost of a more or less one week confinement in Spain are the issues surrounding how I will get back to the US if I have had covid overseas. I know the CDC regs cover it, but it requires some attention to detail, particularly with regard to testing and medical reports.
You have your mask on in the Pilgrim Office.
And when people are afraid don't come to Spain.
We have been so careful, but after the line inside yesterday getting our compostelas for our friends, I am concerned. But no symptoms. We will self-test in SdC before heading to MAD tomorrow for our official antigen test.
You have your mask on in the Pilgrim Office.
And when people are afraid don't come to Spain.
How are you doing now?We're just back from 18 days on the Camino Frances we walked using private accomodations all the time . Last day in Astorga we were coughfing and feeling fatigued. A test a taken as soon as we returned confirmed we were postive (we're vaccinated and boosted).
Possibly the spread of Covid was helped by a very cold week we experienced on the Camino,with snow at San Juan de Ortega and night temps close to zero for a few days. Must say however that anti-covid measures on the Camino seem at best quite relaxed, nobody is wearing a mask in albergues and seats at the tables don't certainly maintain social distancing. At the airport face mask are not required . Be careful !
Agreed.. I would be interested in how being around people, many whom are probably practicing different behaviours has made you feel? More tense, more relaxed, regretful you went, glad you went, etc?How are you doing now?
Thank you for letting us know. It is helpful to all that we get as clear a picture of the transmission of Omicron along the various roots and hope others will do so as well.
Get well!
Getting better, no cough,no temp but still a bit fatigued. Thinking about the Camino ,would say spending days or weeks in public places is probably a bit of a risk...even using private accomodations am not sure it's enough to keepe the bug away. Only in one expensive b&b we were keppt out of the place to allow proper treatment between one guest and the next one and it was the only one place where the personnel kept face mask on all the time. Maybe i am overreacting to the situation but who knows ? How many pilgrims are actually positive on the Camino without knowing ?How are you doing now?
Thank you for letting us know. It is helpful to all that we get as clear a picture of the transmission of Omicron along the various roots and hope others will do so as well.
Get well!
I think everyone just needs to do whatever that feel comfortable with based on their thoughts of the risk to them. The rules are clearly stated and easy to follow and some folks may wish to adopt greater levels of caution and that’s fine! We do that with pretty every health issue. Whatever you feel comfortable with! For me it’s largely over (but that’s irrelevant I will still obey the rules of any given country) but appreciate others will feel differently!Having read this thread, I find myself more inclined to take as many precautions as I can to avoid getting covid, including private accommodations, the continuous use of a mask, except when eating, keeping my distance from anyone who is coughing, etc. I live alone and have followed these precautions for more than two years. I cannot see any reason to cease to do so when travelling. On the contrary. I also am inclined to walk less busy routes, and shall adjust my travel plans as best I can, to do so.
I would have thought that most people who are positive won’t know! How would they, unless they had a nasty strain?Getting better, no cough,no temp but still a bit fatigued. Thinking about the Camino ,would say spending days or weeks in public places is probably a bit of a risk...even using private accomodations am not sure it's enough to keepe the bug away. Only in one expensive b&b we were keppt out of the place to allow proper treatment between one guest and the next one and it was the only one place where the personnel kept face mask on all the time. Maybe i am overreacting to the situation but who knows ? How many pilgrims are actually positive on the Camino without knowing ?
Well, people ARE getting COVID on the Camino - but I am guessing the numbers are similar to community percent positivity rates. But there have been a few people on this forum report their illness to us in recent weeks. Getting COVID from staying in albergues is a definite risk, but being fully vaccinated and having had COVID - your risk level is lower than those not fully vaccinated. If you can - get boosted as well before going to Spain. Right now though, I am guessing your likelihood of getting sick from a cold, flu, or other illness is more likely than COVID - since right now COVID spread is fairly low. If you are concerned - definitely practice more social distancing, wear a mask, and consider private rooms and/or postponing your trip. I did travel in June/July 2021 - but albergues were at half capacity and almost everyone was fully vaccinated in order to be permitted into Spain. Now there is more of a mix of vaccinated/unvaccinated - although depending on where you are coming from vaccine requirements may still be in place. I am leaving in 7 days for my Camino. I am fully vaccinated, double boosted, and had COVID in January or February. I am less worried about COVID - but more worried about all the other crud being passed around because "sick" individuals continue to stay in albergues.I haven't seen any actual numbers or even anyone posting that they did catch it on the Camino. My nerves are getting the best of me.
Enjoy your Camino!Thank you everyone for your replies.
I decided to book private rooms so that I could actually enjoy without feeling anxious.
Eating outdoors whenever I can and keeping up the social distancing. Honestly, if it continues like this I am safer from it than I am at home!
For those that are heading over soon, they did check my vaccination card when I got to Porto. They also REQUIRED masks on the plane from Amsterdam to Portugal.
Well done for facing it down and finding a way forward! Enjoy!Thank you everyone for your replies.
I decided to book private rooms so that I could actually enjoy without feeling anxious.
Eating outdoors whenever I can and keeping up the social distancing. Honestly, if it continues like this I am safer from it than I am at home!
For those that are heading over soon, they did check my vaccination card when I got to Porto. They also REQUIRED masks on the plane from Amsterdam to Portugal.
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