Published on Monday, November 2, 2020

'I'm going on holiday to escape lockdown'

Holidaymaker Bryan Thomas has booked a last-minute trip to Fuerteventura, after watching Boris Johnson announce new lockdown rules.

The semi-retired worker for a software company made the booking on Sunday, after the Prime Minister announced strict new measures on Saturday evening.

He flies out for a fortnight at the H10 Ocean Dunas on Wednesday, arriving 12 hours before the UK travel ban comes into force.

Bryan, who booked through singles holiday specialist Friendship Travel, said: "I live alone. I have had the best part of the whole of this year on my own. The thought of another four weeks' lockdown, with me being on my own again, doesn't bode well. I just need to mix with others."

He said it has crossed his mind that the airline, easyJet, may cancel his return flight, but said: "If they can't fly me back for a few weeks, it doesn't matter to me. To a certain extent, I don't care. I'll get back eventually. I may just extend my holiday anyway.

"The company has told me: 'We will get you there and get you back'. I assume that if they don't fly you back they will have to put you up. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

"I don't have rush to get back to work because I'm semi-retired and I'm off work for the winter. I have checked my insurance and it covers me in case of Covid.

"The temperature is going to be 24 degrees, 20 overnight. Over the two weeks, Wednesday morning is the one showing a bit of rain. That won't affect me as I don't arrive until the afternoon.

"I checked in this morning and there were still a number of seats that haven't been allocated. That may well be because people just haven't checked in yet."

Jane Williams, PR for Friendship Travel, said: "Based on last-minute bookings yesterday from single travellers desperate to escape lockdown 2, there is plenty of demand for Friendship Travel's small group singles holidays this winter."

By Lisa James, Deputy Editor, UK