Starting this weekend, high-value business travelers and other VIPs arriving in the UK from countries that would normally require a 14-day quarantine, are exempt.
And if you have to ask if you are one of them, you are not.
In the United States, the powerful and connected only pretend to feel badly when they are caught sneaking around doing things the little people are not permitted to do.
In the UK, they have the common decency to just say it out loud.
Some people are just more important than you.
How much more important?
They define that so you know exactly where you stand.
First there are the business people.
"Individuals undertaking specific business activity which would deliver a significant benefit to the UK economy – including activity that creates or preserves 50+ UK jobs – will no longer need to self-isolate when travelling or returning from non-exempt countries."
"Creates or preserves" 50+ UK jobs"
I could see this being handy.
Border Agent: I'm afraid you'll have to quarantine.
CFO: If I have to quarantine I'll fire 50 people.
Border Agent: In that case you're exempt.
There are other exceptions as well that should not at all make you furious.
"Exemptions will also come into force at the same time for domestic and international performing arts professionals, TV production staff, journalists and recently signed elite sportspersons, ensuring that industries which require specific, high-talent individuals who rely on international connections can continue to complete their work."
These all make perfect sense, of course. Performing arts professionals and TV production are absolutely essential to the maintenance of life itself. It's right there on Maslowe's hierarchy along with food and water.
Journalists are also exempt of course as their parroting of official talking points and suppression of opposing views are essential to perpetuating the illusion that we live in a free and open society.
Athletes also get a pass, but only the "elite," ones, so if you think your Thursday night softball pick-up game counts, it doesn't.
And neither do you.
But you already knew that.
