Holidays are illegal

My neighbours have booked 2 holidays in April, 1 at home and 1 abroad. They are adamant they are going despite any restrictions-you just can’t argue with that mentality

Booking a future holiday isn’t illegal, however going on one while on lockdown is. Very simple

I feel it beggars belief that anybody can book for anything, be it holidays, celebrations etc. Although I fully appreciate people’s mental health and dealing with things in their own individual way, but surely it’s better to wait until far more positive signs occur and then book anything and everything with gusto ? I couldn’t think of anything worse then truly thinking my holiday can be booked for say August and then for it to be cancelled. Then again I know people deal with things in their own way.

Peasblossom

Oh, fly from Britain to a Canary Island that has almost no COVID cases.

Good idea?

Yes - anyone would think it was impossible for Covid to leave the UK and infect anyone elsewhere! Ye gods..

By the way, all my bookings are in the UK, albeit a couple of hours away...

Should read money not only

Booking? Is not illegal! Yes, have booked three holiday cottages for this year. Easter, my birthday and early June. Will I go of holidays are THEN illegal? Of course not... maybe the OP is confused about legality? It isn’t illegal to book what seems a safe and reasonable option of Covid allows...

I was reading and viewed a video yesterday that many Irish people and British people are booking dentist appointments in Tenerife!! They are asking for proof of the appointment via email and then using that as “essential travel”. And of course not turning up for the appointment. Apparently its rife out there with that at the moment.

Lillie. I can see where you’re coming from regarding travel All I can say is that lockdowns are very stressful and there is so much talk about mental health issues but that being able to watch ones chosen sport can make a huge difference to how you feel. Formula 1 seem to be taking every precaution possible. I listen to sport radio a lot and it really cheers me up.

We have booked and paid for a holiday in May, if we are in lockdown again or can't go because of the restrictions then our only will be returned or we can change our dates. We did this last year and it worked well. Until then we will will stay where wen are.

Absolutely Lillie I'd like to know why these people are in any way considered to be essential travellers.

I don't think that travel is illegal, it's holidays. I have a relative who has been to Australia for work recently. I guess that sports travel comes under the same heading.

Forgive my sideways thinking, I realise it isn't always appreciated on GN threads, but if we are talking about travel being illegal why are the tennis players allowed to travel to Australia to the Open? Why are Formula 1 teams with their many mechanics etc allowed to travel from country to country? Footballers?
Yet our children aren't even likely to be allowed to go off with their buckets and spades to the coast in this country.
Shouldn't the same restrictions apply to ALL?

The issue is the mixed messages coming from government. Hancock is off to Cornwall and booked months ago, Johnson was optimistic about holidaying on 1 Feb, but this week is sounding a lot more cautious. I think that they are increasingly concerned about the impact of the variants. Personally I have bookings from last year. When I spoke to the agent last year she said that all properties were popular for 2021. We know that there's a good chance that we are not going anywhere but if things improve we have our first choice.

Monica try Booking.com and maybe you’ll find something that suits. Good luck with your search.

maddyone. It is DS, who has school age children who is booking school holiday accommodation. He usually books in May but this year has had to book in February, even then, the accommodation he would usually get is fully booked.

We do not holiday in school holidays. We were looking for late September/October and finding that many places we thought of were booking fast.

Jaxjacky

muse for us a holiday is pubs/restaurants etc, I wouldn’t book somewhere to go for a walk every day avoiding people and cook every night, I do that at home. So, we won’t be booking yet, last September we had a long weekend in a b&b a couple of hours away, if we can do the same at some point later this year, we will. Otherwise, we’ll be grateful to see family and friends, at ours or theirs, mostly outdoors if weather permits.

In normal times, eating out would be part of our holiday along with a range of other activities. However, when we went away in October, we couldn’t do this so found pleasure in listening to a lot of music on the high quality music system and the wonderful views and wildlife. We planned easy/ quick to prepare and cook food and took much good wine. But just being somewhere different for a week was perfect. As long as a holiday makes you feel better, that’s all that counts isn’t it so if you can’t have the sort of holiday that would do that, I see why some may not want to commit. I’m just glad I’ve got something sorted and if it works out that we could eat out etc that would be the icing on the cake.

muse for us a holiday is pubs/restaurants etc, I wouldn’t book somewhere to go for a walk every day avoiding people and cook every night, I do that at home. So, we won’t be booking yet, last September we had a long weekend in a b&b a couple of hours away, if we can do the same at some point later this year, we will. Otherwise, we’ll be grateful to see family and friends, at ours or theirs, mostly outdoors if weather permits.

Monica we normally book accommodation with Booking.com, whether it’s home or abroad. And we avoid school holidays usually unless we’re actually going with one of our children and their family. We drive if it’s the UK and book a holiday cottage or we fly to wherever we’re going and hire a car and somewhere quiet and small to stay. I understand that it’s difficult to book accommodation during school holidays but that’s to be expected. Going outside of school holidays is much quieter and more restful. Although we’ve enjoyed going on holiday with our children and grandchildren on the occasions we’ve done that, it’s enjoyable but certainly isn’t restful.

I think they are purposely holding back on giving the green light on holidays because they are very concerned about the Easter break. It is a 4 day bank holiday and if the weather is fine many people will want to escape their homes for a change of scenery. Who can blame them? If they open hotels, campsites, self catering cottages there will be a mad rush and we will see the same scenes as last year. Waiting until mid April gives the time for everyone over 60 to have been vaccinated. Then things might be able to get moving.

There were two girls interviewed on tv yesterday that had just returned from a holiday in (I think) Brazil. I thought that wasn’t allowed. They didn’t seem to be going into quarantine either.

I’d just like to be able to have a socially distanced cup of coffee and cake with a friend indoors! Holidays are for the future and I’ll make do with anything extra closer to home.

Don't worry muse, I didn't see anything patronising in your comment. Indeed both you and I said that we already had holidays booked.

What we were referrring to was the way the virus travels from area to area.

Not too fussed about a holiday but I cant wait for the local Library to open its doors once again.

We are not booking a holiday while there is all this uncertainty. I am not confused. I understand the rules. To be honest I really don’t want to go a flight with lots of people.
We will wait and see. Maybe if allowed and we have both had our vaccinations we will look again.