Unhappy landings

TRAVEL to Greece is completely painless at present as their can-do, sensible attitude to arriving tourists makes life so easy.

Being double-vaccinated, I didn’t need a PCR test but I did need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form.

Arrival was simple as everything was pre-registered and I was through immigration and had collected my baggage in 30 minutes. Masks were worn comprehensively.

Returning to the UK was a different experience altogether.

I had to arrange a PCR test within 72 hours of flying, at a cost of ¤80, arrange a Day Two and Day Eight test on my return, at a cost of £160, and quarantine for ten days.

More than half the cost again of my return flights went on tests.

The NHS Track and Trace calls checking that I was quarantining were a farce. Although I gave my landline as well as my mobile details, I have been called on my mobile, so could have been anywhere.

The only detail I was asked for was my year of birth. More important, it seems, was whether I was happy to conduct the call in English. I am a UK resident living in England. Of course I wanted to answer the inane questions in English!

Most of the rest of the conversation involved a pre-written script, most of it taken up with gobbledegook and threats about fines. A few days ago I had a text and call from Track and Trace to say I had been in contact with someone who tested positive. I can only conclude it was a child sitting close by on the plane from Athens. So, if I had opted for early release, I would have wasted that money as I still have to quarantine until Saturday. The following day no one called. The day after that I received a reminder to take my Day Eight test or I would be fined.

The whole system is flawed. I wonder if Dido Harding has ever listened to the Track and Trace script?

I was a supporter of the Government in the handling of the pandemic although it hasn’t been easy. But no more. It’s time to open up and live.

EVELYN EVANS, Bath.