Holidays in a pandemic. Thoughts from a Young Reporter
Currently, as I’m writing this, I’m on a Jet 2 plane on my way home from Portugal. A mask on my face, a window seat, my music in, the plane not even half full. I feel the most relaxed on holiday that I have ever felt. It’s summer, and everyone is either thinking of a holiday abroad or they are on one. The ones thinking of it, have probably been put off by the pandemic. The traffic light system etc. You may call me irresponsible to have been on holiday during this time, you may be jealous, but whatever you’re feeling I’m writing this to speak of my experience travelling abroad during a pandemic.
The airport experience both ways was swift and reasonably relaxing for us as a family. The day before leaving me, my mum and dad had to take an antigen test which in 15 minutes told us our positive or negative results of Covid. Portugal being on amber, we had to do this beforehand and whilst we were at the hotel. Then had to take a PCR test before jetting off home. The tests were fine…we were negative yay! My sisters are too young to have to take a test, which saved much stress. My mum being the organised person she is, had a wallet filled with proof of double vaccinations, negative test results, and then the usual information, boarding passes, passports etc. To fly, you must bring proof of being negative for Covid and your vaccination proof too, as well as passenger locator forms for the way back. Other than it taking a few minutes longer due to showing our Covid information, it was just as normal. The airport was very quiet. Our plane was half empty and very relaxing. Everybody on the plane was lovely and seemed very grateful that we were travelling! We must realise that these people have been out of jobs/ working from home and haven’t known when they’d be back on a plane again for the last year…tourists coming on holiday means more to them, than it probably does to us. We were required to wear a mask on the plane, and with the plane being cool and air conditioned this was no problem!
Our holiday and it felt as brilliant as you’d imagine. Something very comforting was knowing that to be able to stay in the hotel or travel, everyone had to prove they were negative for Covid, and prove they were vaccinated. It felt safer than being in the UK! Before coming home, we had to do a PCR – which was quite a pain if I’m honest! Both tests did cost money an additional price which obviously restricts some families travelling. Other than the additional price of the testing, the mask wearing, and showing our extra Covid information, our holiday felt stress free, more relaxing than usual.
Here’s what my mum thought, as I am aware that a teenager’s point of view, who didn’t have to do all the extra pre planning and worrying or paperwork, pay extra bills, and being back at work on time and keeping family safe; may not be entirely helpful for those interested in travelling to an amber listed country currently.
“There was slightly more organisation involved and the extra requirements were daunting at first but once I got my head around what needed to be done, everything was fairly straightforward. The travelling experience was more relaxing than ever and honestly whilst we were away, I felt safer than if we’d stayed in the UK! Yes, there was more cost and yes there were more things to consider but overall, I am absolutely pleased that we went ahead with the holiday, getting away after the last year has been great!”
Overall, we had the best time and made some incredible memories! This probably isn’t the resourceful article, and please don’t take your information directly from me, I’m just speaking of our experience flying abroad to an amber listed country. But please consider it, investigate it, book a holiday! It truly is worth it. I personally believe it was safe, secure, relaxing, and enjoyable! I hope you will too.
Article written by Young Reporter Grace Trippitt.
First appeared in Grimsby Telegraph 24th August 2021