How safe is it to travel to the UK during COVID-19?

The simple answer is that it’s not that safe...

...If you compare the UK situation with Malaysia anyways. Due mainly to the UK government, people are not taking COVID-19 as seriously as they should be. This post will be discussing the political situation to give some context on what mess the UK have found themselves in.Later int the blog, I’ll give some tips on how to stay safe!

DISCLAIMER: As the COVID situation is rapidly changing, I will try to make sure to update this page as often as I can… Here is a page for live updates regarding COVID-19 in the UK.

The Cummings’ Effect

As evident from the number of cases and deaths, the UK is not doing very well in terms of fighting the coronavirus. Even the prime minister contracted corona and had to be admitted to the ICU at some point. Universities, so far, have been trying to keep with gov restrictions. The UK gov have been:

• Unprepared. I.e, not having enough PPE for healthcare workers during the acceleration of the pandemic. Please also note that borders never closed and that they DID NOT quarantine people coming overseas, even during the first peak! Only recently they said they would quarantine people coming overseas… And they are only required to self-isolate in their homes, no accommodation is actually provided! Another shocking thing I found was that the UK launched a trial for a track-and-trace app in late May, however, its release has been delayed until Winter...

• Unethical, as they initially promoted herd immunity as a tactic then dropped it after bad press

• Hypocritical...

There have been cases of top politicians who, while promoting the idea to ‘Stay at home’, broke lockdown rules. The Scottish chief medical officer and a head epidemiologist are two examples of higher ups quitting shortly after breaking lockdown rules. However, one case involving Dominic Cummings (a chief adviser to the prime minister) who did not follow lockdown rules during the lockdown, was not fired, even though his actions were heavily criticised by the people. As a result, the people have given up.

Left: Catherine Calderwood, former Scottish chief medical officer

Centre: Dominic Cummings, chief advisor to the prime minister

Right: Prof. Neil Fergusson, former government epidemiologist

This is now known as the ‘Cummings’ Effect’. If the politicians don’t care, why should the people? Anyways, I mention this story to paint a picture of the attitude of the British people towards COVID-19. They aren’t very scared of it as we are anymore.

Status quo in Newcastle

Right now the UK gov wants to get back to a normal economy. So things are reopening even at nearly 300,000 cases. The 2m social distancing rule has been shortened to 1m+, and amazingly in England facial coverings are mandatory for only public transport, as opposed to being outside or working outside. So don’t be shook when you see people walking about without facial coverings!

Edit: Apparently facial coverings will be made mandatory for shoppers from the 24th of July. Source: here.

Newcastle in particular has many care homes and elderly people around. I would say as of early July, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne is not a hotspot but it’s not a coldspot either. It’s in the middle.

However, Newcastle city is notorious for its nightlife. Pubs having been recently reopened, as well as dining in restaurants and even cinemas. People have been flooding in to enjoy themselves after months of being kept in their homes. The only non-essential places that have not opened yet can be found here, including swimming pools, nightclubs and indoor gyms. These may be open by the time you come to the UK.

So please, come at your own risk.

What about the BLM protests?

They’ve died down in the UK in general. In Newcastle, there were mostly peaceful demonstrators with “many police overseeing the protests.”

How can I keep safe?

I’m sure you’ve heard of social distancing many, many times. Here are some tips specific for Newcastle-Upon-Tyne…

Here are some basic tips:

- Wear a mask going outside at all times.

Please be aware that wearing a mask does not protect you much from corona, but it does reduce transmission in case you're an asymptomatic carrier, hence it protects others around you. Facial masks are a little expensive in the UK (you can find them in local grocery stores, £6.50 for a pack of 10 in Tesco…), so try and stock up for them. To protect yourself...

- Reduce social contact.

Things like:

• Going out less (once a week)

• During non-peak times (this would be early in the morning or just before closing time, DO NOT go from 9-10am weekdays, and 10-11am weekends, as this is usually the time specifically for the elderly or NHS workers)

• Bulk buying

• Getting delivery (this is cheap if you buy with all your flatmates, use Sainsbury’s)

• Buying canned and frozen goods for when you run out of fresh goods (M&S frozen meals are very good, and you can get canned fruit and veg from Tesco)

• Bringing a big bag or suitcase to fill with groceries

- Stay away from at risk people.

Shops like M&S, Tesco, even Grainger’s Market have many old people, or people in general. Asian groceries (HiYou, Wing Hong) and places with less people in general (towards Quayside, Jesmond, outskirts of the city centre) are safe places to shop.

What if I get sick?

You can quickly get a coronavirus test kit for free if you develop symptoms of COVID-19. The two types you can get are by booking an appointment at a test site or ordering a home kit. More info can be found here. You will have to self isolate for 7 days. People who live in your household have to self-isolate for 14 days. Unless you have severe symptoms, you will NOT be referred to hospital.

Final Thoughts

In recent days, the UK has had a general decrease in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Here is a news page for live updates regarding COVID-19 in the UK. Please remember that the news tries to sensationalise by coming up with attractive headlines, so what seems to be scary is actually not that bad once you arrive in the UK. However, it is important we always stay safe and alert.

Best wishes to you! Enjoy your time here!