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Advising against ‘elaborate’ summer holidays, even in the UK

136 replies

Lissy23 · 08/02/2021 19:20

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brits-warned-against-elaborate-summer-23464800

Just saw this on twitter, after I read something about it on another thread on here.

I thought they were pushing for uk holidays this year to boost tourism?
Also even last summer we could go away in the UK? Surely with the vaccine things will be much better by summer. I’m really confused by it all.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 08/02/2021 21:03

I think going abroad is looking increasingly dodgy - August not out of the question if the vast majority of us have a vaccine by then.

However a single family going on their self catering hols in the UK - I'd be very surprised (and annoyed) if this couldn't go ahead

rawalpindithelabrador · 08/02/2021 21:05

Just book it. We can't keep going like this forever. No one's really policing it much anyhow.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 08/02/2021 21:06

I've booked a Eurotunnel ticket for end of July.
And we have our own place in Cornwall that I'm not allowed to go to right now... unless I'd just flown in from Brazil or South Africa, at which point I could drive straight there and no one would question it.

TheSparkleJar · 08/02/2021 21:09

"Take it easy on the summer holiday plans - but you'd better make holiday plans, we need the economy boost" sounds exactly on message for our government during this pandemic.

It's up there with "Obesity needs to be tackled, we're going to take stronger steps to fix the fatties so they don't take hospital beds away from the deserving - but first make sure you rush out and get that double Big Mac and make it supersized, it's 50% on us!"

CallmeAngelina · 08/02/2021 21:09

We have booked a cottage in the UK for a week just for us 4 and the dog. 100% refund by a certain date. We'll see how things are looking then.

toocold54 · 08/02/2021 21:15

I don’t understand why people would book a holiday right now.

I would be more gutted booking one, looking forward to it and then not being able to go rather than just not booking one and waiting until the following year.

If you want to book one then that is obviously your decision but definitely don’t tell the children.

BeautifulStar · 08/02/2021 21:19

I don’t understand why people would book a holiday right now

I booked a couple of weeks ago for our favourite area of Cornwall and really struggled to find anything at all - managed to get 2 weeks at end of July but it was literally the only thing available - so clearly a lot of people don’t agree with you! We would usually book last minute and get something no problem.
We went to the same area last year and apart from mask wearing/social distancing things were pretty normal and we had a fantastic time. I don’t understand why people think U.K. holidays won’t go ahead and be as good if not better than last year. We have a vaccine now and the rollout is going very well.

blue25 · 08/02/2021 21:21

I can’t believe people are still harping on about booking holidays in the middle of a global pandemic.

There are more important things to worry about!!

Lissy23 · 08/02/2021 21:22

Most places are almost fully booked already. So clearly people are planning on going away.

OP posts:
Incyra · 08/02/2021 21:25

Didn't Matt Hancock announce in one of his updates a few weeks ago he had a holiday booked in Cornwall?

CallmeAngelina · 08/02/2021 21:25

It would be more annoying not booking something, waiting until June and then finding everywhere in the UK is booked out, because no one can travel abroad.

toocold54 · 08/02/2021 21:28

I agree people are booking to go away I just couldn’t as I couldn’t stand the disappointment!

I read on here a person that has pre-booked 3 abroad holidays - I wonder if this is what people are doing if there’s free cancellations.

icanboogieboogiewoogie · 08/02/2021 21:30

I'm booking nothing. Too much disappointment last year. At least if I don't book I won't have to cancel.

Lissy23 · 08/02/2021 21:31

Matt Hancock did indeed say that...he said we’d have a ‘Great British Summer’ too.

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XenoBitch · 08/02/2021 21:39

I have a UK holiday booked for May (just me, my mum and my dog) that we booked back in September. Full refund offered if cancelled due to Covid.
We need something to look forward to.

fluffi · 08/02/2021 21:41

Sounds like we'll be able to go away in the UK, just don't expect to book a self catered place for multiple households or be able to go to a restuarant or pub as group of mixed households (for example) if you are all staying in the same area or hotel.

I'm fairly risk adverse but I've booked a cancellable UK break for later in the year. I would rather have a booking I like before everything sells out and cancel later if don't feel comfortable or restrictions make it unworthwhile later on.

Zogstart · 08/02/2021 21:44

I’ve booked lots, all with free cancellation because I know the second Boris announces hotels etc are opening they’ll all get fully booked and prices will rocket. Kids don’t know so I only have my own disappointment to deal with!

AnxiousAlpaca · 08/02/2021 21:48

The headline is fairly misleading though. It says we just don’t know. Pretty much the same as everything right now.

ihearttc · 08/02/2021 21:48

I’d actually book a holiday abroad or in the U.K. if I knew when the entire debacle of GCSE results are going to be published. I have had enough. We are lucky enough to usually go on holiday at least 2 times a year (due to DH’s job, we travel with him) and we haven’t been since August 2019. I’m appear that makes me sound like a spoilt brat but I’m actually past caring. I’m a TA and I’ve worked all the way through (yes I know lots other people have as well). I’m totally exhausted and sick of putting on a brave face for my children at school and my own children who are really struggling. We didn’t go anywhere last year as we felt staying at home was the best thing to do, hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Equimum · 08/02/2021 21:48

We’ve booked a week in Cornwall for August. We got there last summer, so have everything crossed that it will be possible again this year.

We have a long haul holiday booked for May, which is carried forwards from last May, but we know that won’t happen. I really wish the travel agent would accept that though. We are due to pay the balance by the end of February and they haven’t offered free changes yet. Getting very angry, as they have had a large sum of money for a long time!

Echobelly · 08/02/2021 21:49

I think it's sensible to say either don't book anything, or at least not abroad right now.

Yes, the situation should be better in many ways, but of course we are now seeing regional variants which means, this year in particular, travel without quarantine or at least some kind of test and shorter quarentine on the way in and out, might not be a goer.

One thing we have learned is this thing is not wholly predictable. I imagine UK holidays will be possible, I wouldn't bet on anything else.

Lissy23 · 08/02/2021 21:50

I wonder if we’ll be able to go away with one other household, like it was last year if I recall correctly?
Just not ‘multiple’.

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eggsandwich · 08/02/2021 21:51

I don’t really see the point in booking a holiday as even in July there will still be restrictions in place so its not like a usual holiday pre pandemic.

In fact your still going to be told what you can and can’t do, only your be in different four walls, lighter in the pocket due to the cost of the holiday plus all the washing when you get back.

Lissy23 · 08/02/2021 21:52

@eggsandwich for me, it’s that I want to see the sea again.

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MrsAvocet · 08/02/2021 21:52

I've not booked anything yet, but I am really hoping to be able to see my DD who lives in the Highland region some time this year. We wouldn't be staying in her home as it's too small anyway but I would love to be able to go and stay nearby. I guess time will tell - it's still possible that things might be quite a bit better by summer but I'm not counting any chickens.