American visitors

[Hay Farmer]

We’re supposed to be hosting a young American couple, (who are currently in Switzerland) on a work experience program. Once here they won’t be in contact with anyone else, and will live in their own separate accommodation. We will shop for them for the first 2 weeks.

Just trying to find some official guidance as to what the legal position is.

I don’t think you could class them as temporary agricultural workers.

We’re waiting for guidance from the work experience organisation and the NFU. Tried phoning the Home Office, but with all these organisations you just get to leave an answerphone message.

Anyone know where we can get some definite advice.

I think we will have to cancel, but equally don’t want to mess up their plans if it is deemed acceptable.

 

[Dry Rot]

I am listed as a host on https://www.workaway.info/ which is just one of a number of organisations arranging cultural exchanges. I have found them pretty good. I notice their information on C-19 seems to have been removed, so presumably they know somehing. I suggest you direct your inquiry to them for a quicker response than you might expect from gov.uk.

 

[bobk]

We’re supposed to be hosting a young American couple, (who are currently in Switzerland) on a work experience program. Once here they won’t be in contact with anyone else, and will live in their own separate accommodation. We will shop for them for the first 2 weeks.

Just trying to find some official guidance as to what the legal position is.

I don’t think you could class them as temporary agricultural workers.

We’re waiting for guidance from the work experience organisation and the NFU. Tried phoning the Home Office, but with all these organisations you just get to leave an answerphone message.

Anyone know where we can get some definite advice.

I think we will have to cancel, but equally don’t want to mess up their plans if it is deemed acceptable.

They are not required to quarantine until june 8th.
Biggest issue could be getting here

 

[Ashtree]

Why you would even consider considering bringing such visitors right now, only you can understand.
Why they in turn would consider considering limping themselves on you, again only they could understand.
Too much of a chance that more than culture will be exchanged.

 

[PSQ]

We’re supposed to be hosting a young American couple, (who are currently in Switzerland) on a work experience program. Once here they won’t be in contact with anyone else, and will live in their own separate accommodation. We will shop for them for the first 2 weeks.

Just trying to find some official guidance as to what the legal position is.

I don’t think you could class them as temporary agricultural workers.

We’re waiting for guidance from the work experience organisation and the NFU. Tried phoning the Home Office, but with all these organisations you just get to leave an answerphone message.

Anyone know where we can get some definite advice.

I think we will have to cancel, but equally don’t want to mess up their plans if it is deemed acceptable.

I wouldn’t dream of cancelling them, but perhaps tell your guests that their invite is conditional on following regs and staying away from Durham, lest they cause the knuckle dragging Twatter goblins to form a ‘smart’ phone wielding mob.
‘Agricultural workers’ is exactly the term you need to use with the excitable Ashtrees of this world.

 

[Kidds]

The official guidance is to stay alert so just do that.

 

[Hay Farmer]

Cheers. They can get here, there are flights from Switzerland to London. The trains are running from London. I can provide them with a farm car at the station. Once they’re here they can quarantine. I would have thought it’s pretty low risk for us compared to going shopping for example. Just don’t want to unwittingly fall foul of the law and we are struggling to get any official guidance.

 

[Hay Farmer]

Why you would even consider considering bringing such visitors right now, only you can understand.
Why they in turn would consider considering limping themselves on you, again only they could understand.
Too much of a chance that more than culture will be exchanged.

Life goes on. I understand why I am considering it. Quarantine measures would mean minimal risk to my family, - versus the significant benefit to my family and I of them being here.

I’ll have a go at considering why they politely asked about our thoughts on them coming here. Well, I guess it’s a trip of a lifetime for them, something they saved up for, given up education / jobs for and now they are about to finish their placement in Switzerland what are they supposed to do next?

 

[Still Farming]

All holiday accommodation closed

 

[Agrivator]

Cheers. They can get here, there are flights from Switzerland to London. The trains are running from London. I can provide them with a farm car at the station. Once they’re here they can quarantine. I would have thought it’s pretty low risk for us compared to going shopping for example. Just don’t want to unwittingly fall foul of the law and we are struggling to get any official guidance.

That sounds sensible to me. You can't risk upsetting Anglo/American relations just because you can't obtain official guidance.

PS. have you tried to obtain guidance from the Donald?

 

[PSQ]

I’d be intrigued to know what they thought of farming in Switzerland. It’s a fascinating country in so many different ways.

 

[Kidds]

It sounds to me that there is very little risk to anybody from what you say.
You should be fine and not fall foul of anybody, this is assuming they are not conservatives in any way shape or form and the press don't find out.
I hope they come and hope you all enjoy their visit.

 

[czechmate]

I am listed as a host on https://www.workaway.info/ which is just one of a number of organisations arranging cultural exchanges. I have found them pretty good. I notice their information on C-19 seems to have been removed, so presumably they know somehing. I suggest you direct your inquiry to them for a quicker response than you might expect from gov.uk.

I’ve had a few workaway experiences over the last couple of years. I must admit, I haven’t even looked at the site since February, are folk actually still travelling/hosting at the moment?

 

[Hindsight]

Life goes on. I understand why I am considering it. Quarantine measures would mean minimal risk to my family, - versus the significant benefit to my family and I of them being here.

I’ll have a go at considering why they politely asked about our thoughts on them coming here. Well, I guess it’s a trip of a lifetime for them, something they saved up for, given up education / jobs for and now they are about to finish their placement in Switzerland what are they supposed to do next?

Reading your various posts you seem to have thought through very well the process of self isolation by this couple. And if they are currently not showing symptoms then so be it. My view would be to go ahead. Most risk I would say is the London transport section of their journey. Seems shame to ruin these young peoples plans.

 

[Dry Rot]

I always get quite a few inquiries from workawayers but for various personal reasons delayed making any arrangements this year. I am still hesitant and I think I will be giving it a miss.

Firstly, the visitors would be going against the first rule which is "Stay at home". Second, I personally would not want to put myself in what is an enclosed chamber (car, bus, train, aircraft) with a lot of strangers for any length of time if I didn't have to (even without the virus!). Thirdly, those infected with C-19 don't necessarily exhibit symptoms but will still be carriers. Apparently, it can survive on hard surfaces for up to 75 hours but the bottom line is, we just don't know.

Lastly, I don't really care if I mess up someone's plans if it may mean saving life! That's why I did not mention an opinion, for or against, in my previous post. Young people by the very nature of youth take risks and stretch the boundaries. Do I trust them? Hell no!

 

[Wolds Beef]

Would it not be possible to leave a a vehicle at or near the airport if they are qualified international drivers. So cutting the risk even more!
WB
PS. you could always ring NFYFC and see how they are coping with international exchanges.

 

[Old McDonald]

Lastly, I don't really care if I mess up someone's plans if it may mean saving life!

Absolutely agree. This virus has so far cost me the sale of my quinta and retirement. At 76 every day of retirement is a bonus. We accepted an offer and a few days later (by which time the purchaser had returned to NZ) restrictions were applied and they cannot get here so withdrew. Their lawyer already had the legal bits and pieces from ours and had the power of attorney to sign the contracts. Close, but not close enough.

My wife and I have been in quarantine since 12th March, that is 11 weeks yesterday, and have no intentions of breaking it until we know this thing is much reduced. It will not be the first time my wife has gone three months without seeing another human being except me. I have seen 3 grocery deliveries (at a distance), one yesterday, put into a vehicle so have seen someone, and actually spoken to them. How thrilling!

 

[Dry Rot]

Absolutely agree. This virus has so far cost me the sale of my quinta and retirement. At 76 every day of retirement is a bonus. We accepted an offer and a few days later (by which time the purchaser had returned to NZ) restrictions were applied and they cannot get here so withdrew. Their lawyer already had the legal bits and pieces from ours and had the power of attorney to sign the contracts. Close, but not close enough.

My wife and I have been in quarantine since 12th March, that is 11 weeks yesterday, and have no intentions of breaking it until we know this thing is much reduced. It will not be the first time my wife has gone three months without seeing another human being except me. I have seen 3 grocery deliveries (at a distance), one yesterday, put into a vehicle so have seen someone, and actually spoken to them. How thrilling!

Good for you. I find it quite scary when I see (on the internet) people doing deals that obviously involve contact with others. I am in a similar if much lesser situation to yourself. I live alone and have hardly spoken to a soul in the same time. I make a hasty trip to the supermarket every 10 to 14 days. I was anticipating selling some ponies to recoup some heavy expenditure last year. That is all off as although there are purchasers out there willing to flout the regulations, I won't entertain even discussing prices as sales are not possible.

Looking on the bright side, it seems property prices are forecast to rise. I've touched on that in another thread, "Increasing values". As people come to work more online and internet speeds increase, I think more and more will realise the benefits of working from home. Just what and where that home is will become more important to them. And I am hoping they will all want a Highland pony in the paddock!