We never thought you were @Myhnabird 
ā¦ Welcome to the UK, so very glad it was smooth āsailingā
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As a sitter, my husband and I have done three international sits and we were accepted on both of them six months prior to the sit and everything went smoothly. The third sit was a repeat sit for one couple and we have kept in touch with them and most likely will sit for them again. I can understand the hesitancy of homeowners accepting sitters from other countries though but I donāt think that should negate choosing sitters from other countries.
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Hi @Globetrotter you are absolutely correct owners should always consider and engage the sitter who is best for them and if this means coming from another country thatās great for everyone involved, I have done many international sits.
Just for context around this topic the conversation is relevant to the current post COVID environment as international travel is still changeable and could be problematic.
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We had the same experience coming home August 2020 from the US to UK in the middle of the pandemic. Went through the gates clutching our paperwork looking round to show an official that we are legal and uninflectedā¦ā¦.no one interested. Made us realise that our health is our responsibility and no one else cares a toss. We do take measures to stay healthy and we both had our double vaccinations. We both wear masks in crowded indoor areas more for the benefits of others as some people get very stressed but as for the rest itās up to the individual to take whatever precautions they deem necessary. The Government want the control but do not take the responsibility seriously. That is only my opinion.
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I would have a Plan B always, anyway. I have two back up local hourly sitters! Iād check what the entry requirements are. For example, South Africa is on the Red List for the UK, so they would have to quarantine first in a hotel. However, if we lived in France, they would just need to stay in one place and declare where they are staying(although always check - I just family from both countries!). We had a sitter from France, of British citizenship, who needed to self isolate. She sent me the relevant links for coming into the UK so we could check that we were both meeting guidelines. Also, her arrival plans were affected by a transport cancellation at the very last minute. But we worked things out and she arrived a day late and did the sit. During these times, one needs to be extra flexible and prepared! The good thing about international sitters, Iāve found and feel, is that they really benefit from the sit and work to make sure it happens. And itās great when you can meet international travellers!
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Excellent advice and feedback @nikki thank you!
We (from Canada) are confirmed for a 3 week sit in Spain later this year and are currently looking to add other sits to extend our visit.
I guess some HOs and sitters are willing to take a leap of faith and start the travel ball rolling.
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I really appreciated you bring up this subject. I have found it SO frustrating to not be able to plan any overseas sits, though I am fully vaccinated (and will have a booster by months end). I know the best advice is to have backup plans, but insisting on proof of vaccine status is a must to even begin to consider someone. Yes, the EU is putting up some roadblocks to US travelers, but only to unvaccinated Americans. Each EU country seems to have itās own protocol so if a sitter can say what city theyāll be flying into, it might be easier to have some faith in ability to get to Germany. I am hoping that all international carriers start mandating proof of vaccination for passengers to fly. And I canāt wait to travel.
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I can understand that it is not easy to get sits overseas at the moment but as a HO who just put in new dates for December I also donāt want someone from too far away yet, there might even be problems to travel for people from other countries in Europe. Thereās too much that can go wrong or change at short notice.
We ourselves want to go to South Africa in December and donāt know yet if we can go at all. So adding another uncertainty to the plot might be one too many.
I also wouldnāt want anybody to make plans, buy plane tickets etc and then we have to cancel everything because we canāt go ourselves. Itās much easier, if not pleasant, to have to cancel a sit with someone local.
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The period is complicated, before any trip abroad, it is necessary to consult the government sites to be sure that it is possible to go to this country under what conditions.
Even, fully vaccinated, it is not possible to travel to some countries.
So patience and prudence are necessary for both parties.
I started to travel a bit in Europe (Schengen) and I hope there will not new restrictions.
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