When considerations become plans ... and when things get complicated ;-)

[Arctic_Alex]

So I finally managed to plan my year this weekend and booked my flights to Oviedo (September 15) and from Santiago (September 30). Yay
Pre-Covid this would have been it. But is it just me, or does everything travel related still seem complicated and processes clumsy?
1. I booked via one of the larger platforms and got my flights back confirmed instantly, but my September 15 flight to Oviedo is still waiting for confirmation. Also I realised that prices have gone up a lot and that there are by far less possible connections. I will travel from one tiny place (home) to another tiny place (Oviedo) and most booking platforms would not even find connections.
EDIT: Just got the flights it confirmed NOW
2. I am of course nervous if there will be restrictions still in place or new restrictions established by the time I want to travel. Over here in Sweden the pandemic is not a big thing anymore. All got back to normal. But Spain seems to be quite different in that respect.
3. Should I try to get a third shot? I have had Covid right in the beginning of this mess and have been vaccinated twice since and the two Omicron variants are having a big party among my local friends while I do not get infected at all (no matter how hard I try ... no, kidding, of course not trying but it is really impossible not to be exposed to it right now). So technically I have a high level of immunity and there is not need for any further vaccination. But then again travel restrictions might require it ...

Sigh ... I miss those days when travel was super-easy – although in principle I do not like to travel by plane for ecological reasons. But I hardly ever fly. Trying to put aside my flight-shame just for my Caminos.

Well, this reads like a rant now ... but I guess it was intended just as a planning update spammed into this group ;-)

 

[SabsP]

FWIW I would get that booster shot. If only for the ever changing travelrules. Although I fully understand you about Omikron being all around the place here in our region and the level of immunity.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

FWIW I would get that booster shot. If only for the ever changing travelrules. Although I fully understand you about Omikron being all around the place here in our region and the level of immunity.

Yes, it really might be wise to do so. Also I might have to travel to Germany on a business trip this summer. Missing that chance would also be sad in a way.
i just realised that now they offer drop-in vaccination over here. So it might be quite uncomplicated to get boostered after all

 

[Xali1970]

1. I booked via one of the larger platforms and got my flights back confirmed instantly, but my September 15 flight to Oviedo is still waiting for confirmation. Also I realised that prices have gone up a lot and that there are by far less possible connections. I will travel from one tiny place (home) to another tiny place (Oviedo) and most booking platforms would not even find connections.

Don't discount ALSA or Renfe to get to Oviedo from Madrid as an alterntive to flying. Not ideal, but works

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Don't discount ALSA or Renfe to get to Oviedo from Madrid as an alterntive to flying. Not ideal, but works

Thank you for the hint! I actually did look into that but in the end I ended up with Luleå - Stockholm - Barcelona - Oviedo .. a loooooong day on airports and planes but the cheapest alternative ... AAAND ... I just got it confirmed this minute

 

[trecile]

Should I try to get a third shot? I have had Covid right in the beginning of this mess and have been vaccinated twice s

Yes, if it's been more than 270 days since your second shot it's required.

Spanish Tourism | Tourist information on Spain | spain.info

Tourist information about Spain: art, culture, museums, monuments, beaches, cities, fiestas, routes, cuisine, natural spaces in Spain | spain.info

travelsafe.spain.info

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Yes, if it's been more than 270 days since your second shot it's required.

Thank you for the warning! I used to be always informed and up-to-date with regulations but as where I live the whole thing is more or less declared over, I sort of became sloppy and did not think about it any longer ;-)
I got my second shot pretty late so it is still valid. But it will not be valid any more later this year ... I guess betting on a likely change in regulations will put my plans to unnecessary risk ...

 

[trecile]

Thank you for the warning! I used to be always informed and up-to-date with regulations but as where I live the whole thing is more or less declared over, I sort of became sloppy and did not think about it any longer ;-)
I got my second shot pretty late so it is still valid. But it will not be valid any more later this year ... I guess betting on a likely change in regulations will put my plans to unnecessary risk ...

Keep an eye on the Travel Safe Spain site that I linked to to keep updated.

 

[BookGirl305]

I will make a decision on May 1 (before traveling May 27) whether to booster or not booster based on Spanish travel regulations. If it is not required, I'm not getting it. Personal feeling is that the vaccine did a great job in keeping the worst health issues away while the virus worked down its severity, but the vaccine and booster have never been presented as eliminating the virus, only minimizing the effects and preventing worst case medical scenarios. With the speed that restrictions are falling away adn the less severe variations that are going around now, the vaccine may no longer be needed soon.

 

[lt56ny]

Thank you for the warning! I used to be always informed and up-to-date with regulations but as where I live the whole thing is more or less declared over, I sort of became sloppy and did not think about it any longer ;-)
I got my second shot pretty late so it is still valid. But it will not be valid any more later this year ... I guess betting on a likely change in regulations will put my plans to unnecessary risk ...

I am over 65 and next month I will be getting my 4th shot. As studies and evidence mounts it is showing, especially in high risk groups and over 65 a 4th vaccine provides excellent protection against serious illness and hospitalization. But always speak to your doctor.

 

[Bogong]

Yes, if it's been more than 270 days since your second shot it's required.

View attachment 120999

Spanish Tourism | Tourist information on Spain | spain.info

Tourist information about Spain: art, culture, museums, monuments, beaches, cities, fiestas, routes, cuisine, natural spaces in Spain | spain.info

travelsafe.spain.info

Here there’s a growing push by health authorities for the third shot, saying you’re not fully vaccinated unless you have it. There’s also discussion on the possible need for a fourth shot, particularly for the elderly.

De colores

Bogong

 

[travelwithgrace]

Thank you for the warning! I used to be always informed and up-to-date with regulations but as where I live the whole thing is more or less declared over, I sort of became sloppy and did not think about it any longer ;-)
I got my second shot pretty late so it is still valid. But it will not be valid any more later this year ... I guess betting on a likely change in regulations will put my plans to unnecessary risk ...

In the same boat so to speak. No plans for a booster and original vaccines outdated. Last year I made all my arrangements in one month so last minute may still be possible. Since Pfizer released their studies I personally don't feel vaccines have a good enough safety profile but everyone has to make up their own mind on that.