The UK Government made some changes last night to its travel, as it discovered it was possible to isolate regions rather than whole countries.
What was changed yesterday?
As a result, arrivals from parts of Greece to England will be required to self-isolate on arrival. These include:
- Crete
- Lesvos
- Mykonos
- Santorini
- Serifos
- Tinos
- Zakynthos
The change goes into effect fro t 4 am Wednesday 9 September 2020. Scotland and Wales have similar restriction enacted, although Northern Ireland has not applied any changes yet.
The UKFCDO says:
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development office (FCDO) advise against all but essential travel to the islands of Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos. This is based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. The rest of Greece remains exempt from the FCDO’s advice against all non-essential international travel.
The FCDO is not advising those already travelling in Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos to leave at this time. You should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect yourself and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus. Contact your travel operator if you have any questions about your return journey.
OPINIONS: This would have been great… MONTHS AGO
Earlier in the year, Mainland Spain was having a resurgence of COVID-19, whilst the islands were comparatively controlled. This could have been brought in sooner. Alas, it was not – meaning everyone returning from any part of Spain was forced to isolate on return (or face isolation if they travelled and returned).
A targeted plan could have saved a lot of peoples holidays, as well as providing the travel industry with some serious cash. Rather, it seems the UK Government is happy to dawdle on its way whilst not being able to function.
For some airlines – it is way too little, too late.
As for leadership in testing
What leadership? The Government made no moves to announce compulsory testing on arrival, rather rely on people self-isolating. The Prime Minister is sticking fast to this saying they give “a false sense of security”.
It seems they would prefer people to lock themselves away, or work at an office and save a coffee chain, rather than bite the bullet and mass-screen all entries into the UK.
Is that sustainable in the medium term, let alone long term? I’m not sure.
One thing is for certain – it seems that the UK Government is hell-bent on destroying what travel industry there is. They’d rather you visit Royston Vasey…
You’ll never leave – The League of Gentlemen. Image, BBC.
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