Hotels and holidays

First of all, I know we have booked a holiday for the end of the year, more out of blind optomism than anything else, but then we are prepared to have to postpone it for a year.

But I digress.

Every day, the newspapers are full of positive or negative stories on whether Britain will be able to go on their holidays this summer.

After a few weeks of positivity from the vaccine news, the reality that probably the virus will not just melt away in May means that restrictions might last many months more, maybe even into next year.

THe Government has announced any Brit arriving back from 34 "red list" countries will have to quarantine in a hotel, costing £1750 for the 10 day stay, not the 14 that the WHO recommends. Although, still, no such contract has been signed with any hotel chain. On top of this, is the threat that people who make false statements about where they have arrived from will be subject to possible prison terms up to 10 (ten) years.

Which seems harsh to say the least.

The next question was then, under what legislation would the Government prosecute someone that enabled it to press for a ten year sentence? The 1981 forgery act is the answer.

Hmmmm.

THis raises all kinds of civil liberty questions, but then so does the conduct of the police.

Merseyside POlice issued a warning to a Mother and child who drove nine miles to a beach from their house. When questions about this were asked, the police account on Twitter tweeted they were enforcing the LAW. And included a link to guidance.

I am no great legal mind, but law is law and guidance is guidance, and police enforce the law and not guidance.

We are waiting for the inevitable appology today.

And it was suggested that taking children to a play area in a park was something parents should not do, especially if they already have a garden at home.

It is the point where I remind everyone that this is a public health emergency, not a public order one, and leaving home with a legitimate reason is fine. There is no limit to how many times you can go out, or reasonably travel, though what is reasonable can be debated. If people are going to the park, or a beach, and socially distance, then there is nothing wrong in public health or under law with that.

Leaving home for health reasons, including mental health reasons, is fine and allowed. Poorly written and enacted laws result in confusion even for the police, and the rest of us living in fear to do anything lest we get a criminal record.

PS. It is worth remembering, that social media accounts of Police Forces are not actually run by actually trained POlice, so can get things wrong. But this is where a lot of people can get their information from, so the relevant police force(s) should ensure the information on law and guidance is factually correct, and when challenged, not double down on the mis-information.

Merseyside Police deleted the offending Tweets overnight. Andsaid the media team were seeking clarification.

But still, the extreme wing of the ERG, the CRG, the Covid Recovery Group, of right wing nutters is angling for relaxation of lockdown and reopening of shops, bars and restaurants once all in high risk groups hare vaccinated, even just one jab.

And JOhnson, who I am not the biggest fan, has still to balance public health with party unity, and in doing so will satisfy neither and lay the seeds for a possible third wave.

By why stop now?