Will international travel ever return to normal? | Annie Lewis

The travel industry is something I have written about before because it is something I feel passionate about. Along with other industries, it had been decimated by this global pandemic.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: A social distancing sign inside the North Terminal at Gatwick Airport on February 6, 2021 in London, England. The UK Government has confirmed that anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UK's travel ban "red list" from 15 February will be required to quarantine in a government-approved facility, such as a hotel room, for 10 days. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: A social distancing sign inside the North Terminal at Gatwick Airport on February 6, 2021 in London, England. The UK Government has confirmed that anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UK's travel ban "red list" from 15 February will be required to quarantine in a government-approved facility, such as a hotel room, for 10 days. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: A social distancing sign inside the North Terminal at Gatwick Airport on February 6, 2021 in London, England. The UK Government has confirmed that anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UK's travel ban "red list" from 15 February will be required to quarantine in a government-approved facility, such as a hotel room, for 10 days. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

Airlines and ferries, along with their pilots and captains, have faced a huge amount of uncertainty since last March and a year on, it has not got much better.

I have to admit that I personally feel relief that control and quarantine will now be enforced on the arrival to the UK. It is something that Australia and New Zealand, among other countries, have controlled since the start.

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I know I am not alone in being frustrated at the lack of control at our borders since the start of the pandemic. Why must I stay at home when people can fly into our country freely?

However, for all of its benefits, such control at the borders is posing another threat to our travel industry. Many are not keen to go abroad if they have to spend weeks in quarantine upon their return.

For hundreds of people, holidays in the spring have been cancelled due to the never-ending lockdown.

What could be seen as a saving grace to our travel industry is the vaccine. While in months to come this is going to enable the industry to get back on its feet, the short-term answer is not so pretty.

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With many countries requiring negative tests on arrival – like what the UK has just imposed – some countries are not accepting travellers who have not had their double dose of the vaccine.

While the vaccine roll-out in this country is promising, it is only aged at age demographic at the moment. Therefore, holidays for those aged below 70 this summer do not look promising. And for those aged over 70, are they the age group who are actually keen to travel during a global pandemic?

We are repeatedly told there is a light at the end of the tunnel, however doubtful that may seem.

I do believe, and perhaps more hope, things will get better and life will return to normal. But understanding the everlasting impact this pandemic has had on livelihoods and industries has not yet been fully comprehended.

Is toxic positivity badly impacting our mindset?

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Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how difficult, sad or tough a circumstance is, people should maintain a positive mindset.

It’s a bit of a ‘good vibes’ approach to life, which is great until it becomes a bit too much.

I am not alone in thinking that the amount of positivity radiating from social media at the moment can actually have an adverse affect on mood.

This lockdown is tough and being told that a positive mindset is the only thing that will get us through can be quite overwhelming.

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Positivity has its place. But being told that you must feel positive and to keep smiling on your saddest, darkest days is not easily done.

Here’s to hoping that Donald Trump becomes irrelevant

I think many will agree with me that when Trump incited such violence on Capitol Hill in early January, he lost every ounce of dignity and respect.

As the second impeachment trial looms, Trump’s lawyers are to supposedly defend his actions by arguing that he was exercising his free speech. However saying ‘we fight like hell’ doesn’t seem like a phrase that should be accepted as free speech when he was the head of state of one of the most powerful countries in the world.

I hope that his actions after the presidential election will make him irrelevant. Hopefully he will lose a drastic amount of followers on Twitter and the Republicans will cut ties with him. Here’s to hoping...