Nothing is ever straightforward with coronavirus. Just as we were celebrating the successful start of the vaccine programme we hear that our Oxford one has only a limited effect on the latest, South African variant.
We are being reassured by the government that all that is needed is a ‘tweak’ that by the autumn will resolve the problem.
We hope so as the new South African virus has already been detected in over a hundred people in England already and house-to-house checks are being made to lessen its impact.
One possible solution to the problem of imported new variants could be the tightening of travel restrictions. New rules coming into force this week mean that travellers to Britain from a long list of countries will have to spend ten days at their own expense- estimated at £1,500 to £2,000 - in security guarded government run hotels. The system is already working in some countries.
London hotel chiefs have complained that were not consulted and that they have been given too little time to work on it.
Other ideas, already introduced, include strict pre travel health checks.
With the lockdowns, international travel is limited, but 120,000 are still arriving in Britain every day, posing a serious threat. Easing the rules could start a flood.
What a difference in a year. This time last year, the aviation industry was flying high, whole fleets of new aircraft were on order, most airlines were making profits and the future looked rosy.
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| Bob on his way to Palma during the snows of January 1982 |
Flying anywhere in the world was a pleasure. I enjoyed it for many years, including a round the world in eighty days trip. My favourite flight was Cardiff to Palma Majorca, with a record time of one hour fifty minutes.
Sadly, I think flying days are over.
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