The smug abuse of those who dared to take a holiday in Spain needs to stop

If you ever thought a totalitarian regime would be sent packing by British society, the last few months have been a wake-up call. We’ve proven ourselves to be a nation of Stasi volunteers in waiting.

First came the curtain-twitching lockdown enforcers who eagerly reported their fellow citizens for even the most minor breach of stay-at-home regulations. One police force saw a surge in phone calls from tattles who had spotted their neighbours “going out for a second run”, and during the first six weeks of lockdown coppers across the country were contacted by a staggering 194,000 snitches.

Overzealous PCs took it upon themselves to use drones to film (and publicly shame) walkers in the Peak District, and even inspect people’s shopping for “non-essential” goods – a flagrant overstepping of their authority.

When at last we were handed back a few of our freedoms, giving us the chance to spend a day at the beach, or enjoy a picnic in the park, the busybodies grew bolder. Social media shaming became a sport, with smartphone wielding warriors gleefully snapping and sharing whenever they spotted more than half a dozen people in one place. “Look at them, chatting and laughing. Don’t they realise there’s a pandemic on!”

Now, with Covid deaths and hospital admissions dwindling (we’ve been below the ONS five-year average for total deaths for a month now), you’d think people would be free to leave behind memories of their four-month house arrest and enjoy a little overseas holiday without fear of abuse. Not a bit of it. Leaving our shores in search of sunnier climes? Only “selfish idiots” would dare attempt to snatch back seven nights of summer normality.

Those returning from Spain must now, unexpectedly, self-isolate for two weeks – and the overwhelming tide of opinion is one of smug satisfaction. When did we become so mean-spirited? “No sympathy,” said one Twitter pundit. “What did you think was going to happen, dimwits?”

Well, given that the whole of the Balearic Islands has just 132 active cases of coronavirus, I’d imagine those visiting Mallorca – the favoured Spanish summer destination for Britons – probably thought no sensible government would suddenly start quarantining arrivals at a moment’s notice.

Unsurprisingly, given the Government’s illogical response to Spain’s Covid spike – it is advising against trips to the whole country, not just the mainland where the overwhelming majority of new cases have appeared – there has been bold talk among travellers who say they will head there anyway.

In our poll, 17 per cent of respondents said they would travel to Spain regardless and put up with two weeks stuck at home, while 22 per cent claimed they would go ahead with their trip – and then ignore self-isolation rules. Given the apparently lax enforcement of the quarantine policy (after seven weeks, only one fine has been issued for flouting it) this, again, should not come as a surprise.

Unless they want to receive an earful of invective, those who do head to Spain in the coming weeks would do well to stay off social media. But visitors to “safe” countries might be wary too. For there seems to be a large proportion of Britons who now think any overseas holiday is irrevocably irresponsible.

“To expect to go abroad in the middle of a pandemic is beyond daft,” was one reader’s verdict after witnessing the Spanish fiasco.

What nonsense. Of course we should tread carefully – now isn’t the time for a stag do in Amsterdam – but so long as we avoid behaving recklessly the risks of catching or spreading the virus are as remote in Tenerife or Tuscany as they are in Tunbridge Wells. An effective vaccine could be years away – if people want to put their lives on hold and wait, that’s fine, but don’t expect the rest of the country to join you.

We’ve had more than four months stuck at home, been bombarded by Project Fear, and our collective mental wellbeing is shot to pieces. With the furlough scheme coming to a close, we’re also on the cusp of an economic disaster. What we need right now is a break: a nice walking holiday in the Alps, or a fortnight in a Greek villa.

We also need a little more understanding of others. We have become a nation that not only seems to relish being ordered around, but one that derives a perverse sort of pleasure from sanctimoniously telling others what to do – and abusing them when they disagree. Whatever happened to getting on with your own life, and letting others do likewise – when all they want is a week in the Med?