Thinking of summer holidays this year? Really? Hold my beer…

£1,750, one thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds for arrivals to quarantine in the UK. Just wow… it’s a lot. But does this bode ill for those of you wanting to go on holiday? A question some may have. If you can even consider a holiday right now that is.
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£1,750, one thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds. That’s the bill you’ll be lumped with for having the sheer audacity of going overseas when you return to the UK from one of the 33 Covid hotspots, and it kicks in from next Monday (February 15). For that princely sum, you’ll get a 10 night stay in a hotel, three square meals a day and also be tested for Covid-19 twice during that time period.

Well, it’s either that or you can look forward to a 10-year stretch in prison for failing to comply and subsequently flouting the rules. Like a regular Dominic Cummings — who by the way allegedly broke the rules and got a pay rise. Let that sink in for a moment. Moving on.

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What does this mean for our summer holidays this year? That’s if we’re allowed to have them that is, which may well happen. just think of it as an additional Hollibobs-taxation (“speculation your honour”), a draconian measure that has been put in place to punish the lesser well-off folks who dare to dream of an escape from the pervasive negativity of this island. Bit dramatic, eh?

SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 11: A waiter serves cups of beer at a terrace of a bar on May 11, 2020 in Seville, Spain. Some parts of Spain have entered the so-called "Phase One" transition from its coronavirus lockdown, allowing many shops to reopen as well as restaurants who serve customers outdoors. Locations that were harder hit by coronavirus (Covid-19), such as Madrid and Barcelona, remain in a stricter "Phase 0" quarantine. (Photo by Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Images)SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 11: A waiter serves cups of beer at a terrace of a bar on May 11, 2020 in Seville, Spain. Some parts of Spain have entered the so-called "Phase One" transition from its coronavirus lockdown, allowing many shops to reopen as well as restaurants who serve customers outdoors. Locations that were harder hit by coronavirus (Covid-19), such as Madrid and Barcelona, remain in a stricter "Phase 0" quarantine. (Photo by Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 11: A waiter serves cups of beer at a terrace of a bar on May 11, 2020 in Seville, Spain. Some parts of Spain have entered the so-called "Phase One" transition from its coronavirus lockdown, allowing many shops to reopen as well as restaurants who serve customers outdoors. Locations that were harder hit by coronavirus (Covid-19), such as Madrid and Barcelona, remain in a stricter "Phase 0" quarantine. (Photo by Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Images)

Imagine it though, you book your trip t’Canaries or somewhere far flung, only to be informed that you’ll have to isolate on return (which is fine) at a cost of £1750, that’s on top of your holiday costs, which depending on your choice of holiday (book a package one, if you must, it seems to have better coverage in case of cancellation) may well not take place.

But seriously, if this is what we can expect when we choose to go overseas (post-vaccine, of course) then how many will balk at the cost or just think, “bugger that t’Lakes it is”, a fair few I’ll bet.

And what of those who already had a holiday booked for last summer, which was (understandably) cancelled and they’re now subject to additional costs which could be more than their outlay for the holiday as a whole? Put simply, I wouldn’t bother and I don’t blame those unfortunate souls, who’ve had to accept a rescheduled holiday plus this additional Hollibobs-tax on top, for feeling more than a little… miffed (to say the least).

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In all seriousness, this may be only focused on the 33 Covid-hotspots because of the South African variant, which by the way would put us right into that category elsewhere, but what does that mean for our summer plans? A short break will triple in length as we’re forced to isolate on arrival, perhaps there and possibly here too. Who in their right mind would want to book a holiday right now, especially when there are so many unknowns? It’s confusing, it’s a first world problem sure, but this new regulation may well prompt a knee jerk reaction to UK holidaymakers elsewhere. Nevermind putting a halt on any incoming overseas tourism to the British Isles.

As for me? I’m staying at home, staying safe and waiting this out. If the situation is to change in any shape or form, I highly doubt that I’d be going overseas. There are so many parts of Britain that I have yet to experience or explore, and knowing full well the impact of this past year on businesses in this union of nations (however fractured that may seem at times), I would much rather contribute as best as I can to the local economy, meaning that my money is likely better being spent supporting those closer to home. At least for now…

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