47 countries and 18 months later: Brits reuniting with family after months of travel restrictions

In light of the lifting of Covid social restrictions, 47 countries were removed from the red travel list yesterday, meaning that fully vaccinated individuals can return from most countries providing that a test is taken within 72 hours of arrival home. While this means that holidays and work trips can return with ease, families separated by land and sea will also be able to reunite after months of separation. Research from national biographer StoryTerrace reveals that over half the nation – 53% – say that, because of Covid restrictions, they want to take the rest of 2021 as an opportunity to live life to the fullest, including travelling and reuniting with family.

Research from national biographer StoryTerrace reveals the nation’s priorities and sentiments about family in light of the pandemic:

82% of Brits said spending time with their family is one of their priorities for 2021

79% said that the pandemic has made them value family more than anything else, making them want to put family first this year

53% say that the pandemic has made them less materialistic and they now value experiences and relationships more than things and possessions

27% feel that the pandemic put things in perspective and gave them a chance to reconnect with lost friends or relations

72% said hugging family members is what they are looking forward to with the end of Covid restrictions
​Rutger Bruining, CEO and Founder of biography writing service StoryTerrace, discusses the importance of staying connected with friends and family:

“As travel restrictions ease, physically seeing friends and family members again has been one of the nation’s key priorities. Being separated from our grandparents and elderly relatives has been particularly difficult, especially when it comes to those who live alone.

It is important to remind ourselves of how intense and difficult the last 18 months have been. Prolonged periods of isolation are not easy or normal to experience – especially for families who live apart in different areas across the world – and as a result feelings of loneliness have certainly taken their toll on wellbeing. Although this is beginning to change as we return to seeing the people we care about the most, it is important to congratulate ourselves for progressing and persevering through such an unprecedented time.

During times of difficulty in our lives, reflection is a really effective method of grounding ourselves. The past year has been incredibly tough for everyone, and increasing numbers of us are realising the benefits that documenting our thoughts and feelings can have when it comes to our mental wellbeing. As we gradually move forward out of lockdown, many of us have been contemplating what we value the most in our lives, and this will have a long-term impact on all of us post-pandemic.

While reflecting in our heads is great, taking this a step further and documenting our thoughts, feeling and experiences offers a whole host of benefits. At StoryTerrace we experienced a significant uptick in the number of people wanting to write their life story, which was catalysed by the adverse events that we have all experienced over the past year. We have now helped document over 2,500 unique stories of people from all walks of life.”