The Context
A necessary trip home to Britain after seven months in France (currently ‘Amber’). Here are the highlights of the programme:
Ten days of self-isolation – reducible to 6 days with an extra covid test at Day 5.
Seven days of self-isolation on return to France, giving a whacking big total of 17 days of self-isolation.
Good for the soul no doubt, but unlikely to reduce the overall burden of SARS as I’ve already received both jabs (Pfizer).
The necessary pre-departure covid test here in France was courtesy of the French govt.
The necessary post-arrival covid tests in the UK on Day 2 and Day 8 (£130) and the Day 5 Test-to-Release (£79, total for all 3 tests: £209). Some companies are making a killing charging £500 plus.
No way could an average family with children be able to afford this. And that’s before the ‘holiday’ has even started. Here’s a summary of the necessary steps before embarcation:
Before Departure
1) Purchase the rail tickets.
2) Have a documented covid test (must be negative).
3) Purchase day 2 and day 8 post-arrival covid tests.
4) Purchase a day 5 early quarantine release covid test.
5) Submit a locator form online.
6) Read emails from Eurostar listing the necessary steps and precautions. The main one states:
‘Let Us Take You There With Care’
Received the day before ‘D-Day’ , very few extra words are necessary. The infographics do the talking and you’ll draw your own conclusions: STAY AT HOME UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO TRAVEL!
Gosh, did I actually say that – I am sounding like Boris Johnson. On this single thing, I agree with him, thanks to his lunatic handling of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
