The flowers are pushing up through the frost this morning, and with the sunshine it feels like spring is on its way. This month will mark two years since the first lockdown, and it has been an incredibly difficult time for all of us. None of us knew that it was going to be such a long haul, but there are now very optimistic signs that life can go back to normal. With the vaccination rollout, and a much better understanding of how to treat covid-19, it’s brilliant that fewer people are becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital. Whilst some people are still badly affected, for the majority it has become a mild illness with a quick recovery.
As things continue to improve, travel is also becoming easier. There are a significant number of people involved in the travel industry in Mid Dorset and North Poole, and I know that the last two years have been very challenging for all tourism businesses. Fully vaccinated travellers from most countries will no longer need to take any covid tests, and will only need to complete a simplified passenger locator form. This is to confirm vaccination status, travel history and contact details. This will make it easier for people with family abroad to see their relatives, and also will help to promote tourism to our area as we move into spring and summer.
For families planning to travel abroad, children can now access their NHS digital covid pass via the NHS app, making it easier to prove their vaccination status for those countries which require this. Vaccination clinics are still open for children aged 12-15 who have not yet had 2 doses, and also for children aged 5-11 who are particularly at risk.
I was delighted that Dorset is going to see increased investment in our schools through becoming an “Education Investment Area”. This money will be targeted to support and help children from all backgrounds to succeed at the very highest levels. For many years Dorset had a low level of educational funding, and it is something that I have campaign to improve. Education is such an important priority, and it’s great that the Government recognises the need, and is now delivering for our children and young people.
Young people have suffered significantly during the pandemic, and during Children’s Mental Health Week I met the charity Place 2 Be, to hear about their work and ways to improve children’s mental health. Exam stress can be a significant factor for our young people, so I’m pleased that we have already outlined plans to help them better prepare for GCSEs and A-levels this year. You can find out more on the Department for Education website.
