I almost didn’t make it to the U.K. for the holidays. My flight was cancelled three times, and I got anxious I wouldn’t be able to get back to the U.K. so I ended up flying as soon as I could, before any travel bans happened.
I finally ended up having to take a flight that got me into Stansted late at night, which meant I had to stay in a nearby hotel overnight. Then I got on a train the next morning up to Norwich. In the quarantine guidelines, I was also allowed to use a hotel and public transport, and then once I was at my destination I could go out food shopping, go to the doctors, or attend legal appointments. I could also stay in a house with other people.
What is Quarantine?
Quarantine – a state, period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed.
Wikipedia Definition
In England in December 2020, quarantine wasn’t really quarantining. It was more of a “stay at home as much as you can—but if you fancy popping out for a bit, off you go, just wear your mask”. In hindsight, Britain’s lax approach to travel and quarantine has bit it in the ass.
(And while we’re on the topic of bums … here’s some of the watercolours I did while at home).
Covid Test and Release
I’d sent away for a Test and Release Covid test, which meant I could take the test after 5 days and cut my quarantine short as soon as I got my negative test, and didn’t have to wait the full 10 days. It was the Christmas weekend and based on timing it didn’t make sense to mail the test because by the time I got the results my quarantine period would have ended anyway.
But I still wanted to do a test to keep my mum and the carers safe, so after 5 days I headed to Boots to have a Covid test. I wasn’t really bothered about the test and release aspect because I planned to stay at home, I just wanted to confirm a negative result.
The Boots website process is shite. You have to register and get a payment pre-approved (but not processed), but you can’t see available appointment times. Your credit card is charged when you have your appointment.
Once registered at the first site, you get sent a login to another website to make a booking—and that’s when I discovered there was no availability at the Boots in Norwich for another 3 weeks. What a stupid process!
I decided to risk a trip to Norwich on the off-chance I’d be able to get a cancellation appointment because of the updated news about travel restrictions. I figured some people wouldn’t show up for their appointment if they don’t have to pay in advance. I had to wait a few hours, but finally somebody didn’t show up for their appointment, and Boots were able to slot me in. I had my Covid test and got the results the next day. Negative.
Now it’s safe to cuddle Mum!
