Asian Voice spoke exclusively to Pradeep Pandya, from Baba Holidays and coach operators on the opening of non-essential services from July 4 and the challenges he’s anticipating.
We asked the challenges he’s expecting to face once the lockdown is over and whether he fears that there’ll be a second lockdown. Pandya said, “Yes there is a slim chance of a second spike in virus. Today in Leicester we are not sure as reports are that there may be Leicester lockdown. We still do not have guidelines as Coach Operator. ie. distancing to run coach tours. As four UK nations have their own policy it is very difficult to plan. We are not sure if clients want to travel before Jan 2021 on long haul tours.”
“Currently hardly any bookings. Our main strength coach holiday during July Aug is completely non-existent. Even long hauls by air struggling,” he explained the losses he’s faced so far. Pandya said that bringing back passengers will be very challenging, I” do not expect them till Feb 2021.”
With the BAME community’s increasing vulnerability to Coronavirus, the fear of being Asian and being discriminated against as a service provider may or may not be a challenge for key workers. Pandya disagrees, “I have not experienced any discrimination from our service providers. In Fact some hotels in Europe are very cooperative and our air ticket consolidators are also helping us out.”
He also added, “I think the government has done enough. But there is always someone who will say not enough. The Government has done Furlough, Grants and loans. But on the tour side there are not enough guidelines. Quarantine not clear, EC Package regulation not strong information to action, not enough guidelines on coach holidays.”
“We were thinking to open from 6 July but this is in question now as may be a lockdown in Leicester,” he said as he fears another lockdown that might be on its way.
BMA demands ‘clear and consistent’ guidelines for holidaymakers from the Government
After the images of packed beaches on the south east coast went viral this week, the BMA is calling on the Westminster Government to produce ‘clear and consistent’ guidance for the public.
In an open letter to Matt Hancock, BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said the BMA has ‘grave concerns’ over the Government’s failure to provide clarity for tourists and tourism providers with lockdown restrictions on overnight stays set to be eased on 4 July. The letter came as the BMA issued its own advice for holidaymakers and tourism operators in the absence of any official Government guidance.
Dr Nagpaul warns: “It is vital that in easing the lockdown, all efforts must be made to mitigate against further spread and outbreaks, and at worst a second spike which could overwhelm the NHS should it coincide with the winter months.”
He also insisted that that tourism within England should only be encouraged if it is undertaken with the suppression of viral transmission as a key safety principle.
In a note to the press, BMA listed the following challenges that tourism in the UK might face:
• Being on holiday is likely to change people’s risk of transmission in complicated ways:
• People on holiday are often more relaxed and therefore may be less vigilant in adhering to the basic control measures for Covid 19, that is physical distancing2, handwashing and face coverings when appropriate. This may increase risk.
• People on holiday may have reduced exposure through occupational and educational settings, which could reduce risk.
• The risk to the resident population may also change, as for a significant proportion, their place of work and sometimes even their home is the tourist setting.
• Tourism involves movement of large numbers of people from disparate parts of the country. This could lead to the spread of infection between regions and especially to regions that currently have a relatively low prevalence of Covid-19.
• Tourism could lead to mass gatherings increasing the risk of outbreaks. This includes specific cultural and sporting events that may be the purpose of the travel or visiting ‘tourist attractions’ where numbers may exceed facilities.
Prepare for a longer waiting time to receive passports
According to reports online, British Services at the Passport Office are running slower than normal due to the pandemic. Travelers may have to postpone, or plan months in advance so as to not miss the flights. Many people are planning a summer holiday outside of the UK, and due to delayed processes, some of them may not be able to travel at all.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “Her Majesty’s Passport Office continues to process standard passport applications, and you can continue to apply online. However it will take longer than usual to receive your passport as a result of changed working practices designed to keep both staff and customers safe. We would encourage those who can, apply to a later date and, as is always the case, we strongly advise not to book travel without a valid passport.”
Sicily lures UK tourists with ‘Detective, Discount and Distancing’
In one of the most quiet summers that Sicily has ever had, the Covid-19 impact on the region is fairly low as compared to other states. With just 281 deaths for its five million people, which is about a tenth of the UK rate, the region has suffered devastating economic losses. To cope up for it, some hotels are offering vouchers to book three nights for the price of two. A tour of the picturesque baroque villages of south Sicily where the set of the television series on the fictional italian detective Inspector Salvo Montalbano stands, it’s quite a steal deal for those looking to get away before summer ends. The experience is set to become more affordable thanks to the regional government, which is offering £68m of subsidies to attract
visitors.
