Hello There,
Yet again, I sit here and write to you as the sun shines on. Honestly, I am about 30-seconds away from me making myself a gin cocktail and sitting out in the sunshine to write this week. And following on from last week, the positivity and hopefulness continues, if not with a little uncertainty and confusion thrown in. Intrigued? Well, I cannot reveal all at the moment but I have a very interesting decision to make in the next few days, and hopefully by the time next week rolls around everything will have ironed itself out and I can let you in on my big secret plans!
I was hoping that since Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement that from Monday 12 April 2021, non-essential retail opens as well as beer gardens, I had hoped that this weekend I would have frequented one. But alas that is saved for this weekend when I get to finally catch up with some old work colleagues from my last job and maybe even Miss Hackney and Miss SugarCoat. I cannot think of anything better than some sunshine on my skin and a cocktail in my hand.
Speaking of which, Holidays?! Are they on the cards for Summer 2021 or not? If so where? and if not then should I book a Staycation instead?! A report by the BBC confirms that whilst all foreign holidays are currently banned, and returning travelers have to quarantine in a pricey airport hotel with no windows, transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "people in England can start thinking about booking foreign trips again".
There have now been more than 33-million first dose vaccines being handed out and with many more in older generations having had both already. But what does this mean when it comes to jetting off abroad?
One way that will hopefully help travelers in making informed decisions about destinations and where is OK and where is not so OK is the idea of having a simple traffic light system. The BBC report states that details of the new traffic light system for England are expected in early May 2021 where there will be three categories -
Green: Passengers will not need to quarantine on return, but must take a pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test on return
Amber: Travellers will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test and two PCR tests
Red: Passengers will have to pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests. About 40 countries are on the current "red list"
Where a country is placed will depend on vaccinations, infection rates, how common Covid variants are as well as testing and sequencing capacity. But with so much confusion last year on what and why a country is red-listed, the government are keen to provide peace of mind and clarity as to the scenes last time around with the short notice in changing a countries status meant travelers had mere hours sometimes to pack up and head to the airports, only adding to the panic at resorts all over the world. There will be a "green watchlist", to give people notice if a country is about to move to amber or red.
However with consumer group Which? estimates each PCR test could cost about £120 per person making holidays totally unaffordable for the majority of normal people and members of the travel industry suggesting that holidays and travel will therefore only be for the rich and privileged in society. Some, along with myself, would argue the most affected in society are those on lower incomes and if you have been so lucky to have spent your lock-downs at your second home in Devon with a full range of amenities, a big garden, and room to move freely, then you should probably be considerate to the fact there are people who are maybe more deserving or needy of a break away; nurses, doctors, carers, lorry drivers, supermarket employees and key-workers.
Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.
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