Quarantine gives us the chance to boost Britain with a staycation break

YOU do not need to be a fan of Sir Cliff Richard to love going on a summer holiday but this year it seems we may all need to rethink our plans. For some the quarantine arrangements regarding travel from abroad into British airports may seem to have come too late or at least could have been introduced before the coronavirus crisis seriously escalated.

But there is no point reflecting now on what might have been – or at least no point until the inevitable public inquiry into lessons learnt. We need to trust that Boris Johnson and his ministers have acted on the best available scientific advice throughout.

Now the issue is to prevent a second peak of this dreadful disease.

We have all worked so hard to bring the R (reinfection) rate down through staying at home and social distancing and it is clear that one of the biggest threats is imported coronavirus cases as the number domestically drops dramatically.

This will mean that those holidays abroad this summer may have to be postponed for another year.

While it is possible that so-called air bridges to countries with low rates of coronavirus may be practical, we should not bank on that because the idea may not prove to be workable.

Instead maybe we should consider a staycation to be a massive positive.

After all Britain needs its people to spend money here and boost the flagging economies in our seaside towns and resorts as well as the many fantastic holiday destinations we have in this country whether it is the Lake District, Scottish Highlands, Peak District, Snowdonia or the Norfolk Broads. There is much to see and appreciate in this country and our domestic tourism industry will be only too happy to receive the business.

Coronavirus has in many ways been a tragedy that has affected so many lives, but it has also opened our eyes to the strengths and attractions at home and in this country whether it is appreciation of parks and green spaces, working from home and spending more time with the family or now holidaying in Britain.

So let us really appreciate what we have got here and make the most of it.