This week marks the second anniversary of the start of the first national Coronavirus lockdown on March 23 2020.  It has been a very tough couple of years for us all and the implications are still being felt, both from the virus and the measures needed to deal with it.

The world has thankfully moved on, as the worst overall impacts of the virus are no longer with us, but economies and healthcare systems across the world are still impacted and recovering.  What has made the difference has been the vaccination programme, of which the UK has a world-leading one.

From this week, around 600,000 people will be invited to book their Spring booster, with eligible groups including care home residents, the over 75s, and those who are immunosuppressed aged 12 and over.  In all, around five million people will be able to get a Spring booster dose.  This will further protect the most vulnerable in society, many of whom had their booster (or 3rd jab) in September or October last year, meaning immunity would be starting to wane.

I believe the government are correct that we have to learn to live with Covid, an approach that is being increasingly followed across the world.  However, this doesn’t mean just forgetting about it.  We should continue to respect the personal space of others in public indoor places, as well as staying home if we test positive or have symptoms.  In short, vaccinations and personal responsibility as well as consideration to others is the way forward.  We shouldn’t have to have legislation and I support it being repealed, now that we have a critical mass of people vaccinated that reduces the risk of serious illness.

Of further help to us locally was the decision last week, that all remaining UK Covid-19 international travel restrictions would be scrapped from Friday 18 March.  This included ending the requirement for passenger locator forms and testing for passengers who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated.  Simplifying air travel has taken time and other countries still have some requirements, but this is a further welcome boost for Gatwick.            

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

23rd March 2022