Just back from a week in Lefkada, Greece. You would not know there had been a pandemic there. Mask wearing is virtually non-existent. I saw one or two people around with them (in the street!) but I believe they were Brits. No notices anywhere, no 2m lines or any other manifestation of "social distancing." I was warned, with my car hire paperwork, that I would be required to wear a mask in the office when collecting my car. I duly arrived with one hanging from one ear, but there were no notices at the door and I quickly realised that neither the staff nor any of the other customers were masked up, so it went in the bin. Lefkada Town was heaving and it was almost the same as it was the last time I visited in 2019. I expected there to be a few casualties among the bars and restaurants but all seem to have survived as far as I could tell.
Talking to a couple of people whom I know there about their experiences during the pandemic, they explained that when they were locked down, they had to send a text to somewhere to get permission to leave home. They received a text back giving them a 30 minute slot (not of their choosing) during which time they were allowed out. They had to show the text on demand of the police or (what they described as) "civilian officers." I couldn't really get to grips as to who these were but I think they were employed by the local authority. I actually thanked the Good Lord that I lived here and not there during that time because the thought of armies of Town Hall wallahs being given free rein to hassle the public fills me with dread.
Strangely I've had the sniffles and a bit of a sore throat since I returned. I often get some sort of lurgi a few days after flying. Not surprising after being cooped up for three hours with two hundred other people, all breathing the same air. I wonder what it can be? Perhaps I'd better stay in until it goes, just to be on the safe side. You can't be too careful!
Don't ask me about Stansted airport (both ways). It's still too raw to discuss.