Dr. Janet Littlewood (MA PhD BVSc (Hons) DVR DVD MRCVS) is a veterinary dermatology specialist practicing at her independent clinical referral dermatology service in Cambridge, the United Kingdom. In January 2022, Dr. Littlewood will begin a 4-month dermatology locum at Animal Dermatology Clinic – Perth, in Australia.
Join Dr. Littlewood here for her travel blog, as she journeys from the UK to Australia during these interesting times for global travel.
After months of form filling and planning (more of that in later episodes) I am now counting down the days to the start of working with Dr. Mandy Burrows and her team. Well, 21 days to departure, and another 14 in state quarantine facility before actually starting the adventure. I will let you know how the enforced incarceration goes in due course!
Meanwhile, my main focus is staying clear of Covid-19! Have had all the vaccinations, doing regular rapid-antigen lateral flow tests, wearing my face mask, and trying to stay as safe as possible. Had a phone call from my Trailfinders agent a few days ago - ticket bought and paid for over a month ago, - to review travel regulations and requirements. Although I still have time to catch SarsV2 and recover in time to travel, he told me that it would still be a problem because my flight is routed through Hong Kong, and they require a negative PCR test - a medical certificate of recovery from recent infection is not acceptable, and recent infections tend to give positive PCR tests for up to 3 months! So what if the worst happens? Well, that's what I took travel insurance out for, and booked through an agent, so that they can sort out alternative flights for me! But let's hope it doesn't come to that. Had planned to virtually self-isolate for the last 2 weeks, but have managed to be in contact with positive cases twice within the last week - negative lateral flow and negative PCR tests after both exposures. Phew! But it has made me much more cautious - now using the medical grade fitted FP3 masks, as per the study done at Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge - most protective of the masks their staff were wearing. And cancelled farewell party out with my Book Group Girls. Avoiding restaurants and any large indoor gatherings from now on, apart from 5 of us for Christmas Day lunch!
Currently up in the North West with my elder son and his wife to say "Farewell" before not seeing them again for at least 6 months! Getting very excited about the trip, although will miss family. Thank goodness for social media and video calls to keep in touch. It will be no worse than lockdown, and for me much better - in the warmth of the Australian summer! Can't wait!
Janet
