Quarantine kills holidays for NHS staff

Like many others, over the past year or so I’ve had to reschedule holidays that I booked before the pandemic began. It’s meant a long uninterrupted spell working hard as a radiographer in the NHS – following strict rules, such as wearing PPE all day and having regular testing, to keep myself safe for my patients.

Now I need a holiday. I booked a walking holiday in Portugal but with that country moving from ‘green’ status to ‘amber’, I would now be required to quarantine for ten days on my return.

I could have a break in the UK but I’ve walked my local Yorkshire moors and, although glorious, I want to round a bend for a surprise view before I personally go ‘round the bend’!

If I were furloughed, able to work from home, or an OAP, it would be possible for me to make the trip to Portugal. But working for the NHS, where it is so understaffed, I cannot expect my colleagues to cover my holiday absence plus another ten days’ quarantine time. Why should antivaxxers and those who break the rules – thereby causing spikes in Covid cases – dictate my freedoms? If the Government can enforce quarantine for travellers, then vaccination of all eligible adults should be enforced too.