22nd February - Roadmap out of the pandemic, lifting of restrictions.

[Ivor]

Well the leaks were right... 5 week review periods. Schools reopen on 8th March. So defacto lockdown until April at the earliest.

Yeah why has there always been leaks & the media ‘knows’ correctly sometimes weeks prior to official announcements?

What MP or Government official has been ‘selling info?’ can’t be giving out for free surely? Why giving it out at all?

Brown envelopes? Ok call me an old cynic

 

[nlogax]

Ok. I'm pretty content with that announcement. Many of you believe things should unlock more quickly.. some of you may want to live in lockdown forever more.. but it feels like the intention really is to not return to the last eleven months of misery and to do it responsibly. Nearly all parts of the UK's day to day life appears to be covered, and hospitality is coming back - that's the best news of all. Maybe even the new Bond movie may finally see a cinema release.

Now just a clear way needed on international travel though I appreciate that's going to be far slower, complex process mostly outwith our control.

 

[philosopher]

Ok. I'm pretty content with that announcement. Many of you believe things should unlock more quickly.. some of you may want to live in lockdown forever more.. but it feels like the intention really is to not return to the last eleven months of misery and to do it responsibly. Nearly all parts of the UK's day to day life appears to be covered, and hospitality is coming back - that's the best news of all. Maybe even the new Bond movie may finally see a cinema release.

Now just a clear way needed on international travel though I appreciate that's going to be far slower, complex process mostly outwith our control.

To be fair it is somewhat better than I was expecting. I was expecting restrictions on social contact such as the rule of 6 indoors to remain throughout the summer.

 

[Andy Pacer]

When am I allowed to go on a train rover again then?

 

[nlogax]

When am I allowed to go on a train rover again then?

If I understand everything correctly 'stay at home' ends at the end of March.

 

[Ianno87]

Boris notably recognises that "Zero Covid" is not a practical strategy at this stage.

 

[ChrisC]

Ok. I'm pretty content with that announcement. Many of you believe things should unlock more quickly.. some of you may want to live in lockdown forever more.. but it feels like the intention really is to not return to the last eleven months of misery and to do it responsibly. Nearly all parts of the UK's day to day life appears to be covered, and hospitality is coming back - that's the best news of all. Maybe even the new Bond movie may finally see a cinema release.

Now just a clear way needed on international travel though I appreciate that's going to be far slower, complex process mostly outwith our control.

I agree. A bit slower than perhaps I would have liked, especially opening of hotels to allow a few days away in the UK, but certainly much better than I had been expecting these last few days.

 

[Simon11]

If I understand everything correctly 'stay at home' ends at the end of March.

But you have to return home each night until mid April/ mid May.

 

[nlogax]

But you have to return home each night until mid April/ mid May.

Sorry, yes that's correct. So make those rover plans for the third week of April alongside Airbnbs coming back.

 

[lkpridgeon]

Ok. I'm pretty content with that announcement. Many of you believe things should unlock more quickly.. some of you may want to live in lockdown forever more.. but it feels like the intention really is to not return to the last eleven months of misery and to do it responsibly. Nearly all parts of the UK's day to day life appears to be covered, and hospitality is coming back - that's the best news of all. Maybe even the new Bond movie may finally see a cinema release.

Now just a clear way needed on international travel though I appreciate that's going to be far slower, complex process mostly outwith our control.

The issue I have with this is we've been told it wouldn't happen again multiple times over the last year. The boy who cried wolf.

All I wanted was stay at home or at least the stupid stay local guidance to be dropped from the 8th... Is that really too much to ask for?

The announcement was a load of codswallop.

 

[Ivor]

When am I allowed to go on a train rover again then?

Just put on SKY NEWS, has he mentioned transport use?

 

[DorkingMain]

I'm afraid I don't share quite the same optimism and happiness as other posters here. My partner and I live in separate households, and so it's a choice between waiting until 17th May(!) or breaking the law.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

I'm afraid I don't share quite the same optimism and happiness as other posters here. My partner and I live in separate households, and so it's a choice between waiting until 17th May(!) or breaking the law.

Are non-cohabiting couples not allowed to form a support bubble in England?

 

[nlogax]

Are non-cohabiting couples not allowed to form a support bubble in England?

They are, but that's complicated if one of the parties lives in a shared household.

 

[Simon11]

I'm afraid I don't share quite the same optimism and happiness as other posters here. My partner and I live in separate households, and so it's a choice between waiting until 17th May(!) or breaking the law.

Agreed, its like the vaccination programme and success with this doesn't exist! BBC has just reported "Covid vaccines - 'spectacular' impact on serious illness" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56153617

All retail, shops, pubs (outside at least) and hotels should be open by Easter to allow people to enjoy spring and enjoy life (with some social distancing)

 

[DorkingMain]

Are non-cohabiting couples not allowed to form a support bubble in England?

Only if you live on your own, which neither of us can afford to do.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Only if you live on your own, which neither of us can afford to do.

Ah right. That's unfortunate

 

[DorkingMain]

Ah right. That's unfortunate

Indeed. Was planning to move in with him shortly before all this mess started. We live in separate parts of the UK though so one of us would need to change job, and obviously COVID has decimated the jobs market. All been a complete mess for both of us.

 

[Darandio]

"The introduction of each step, will depend on four tests"

You all know we've been here before, right?

Last time it was five tests and in the end decisions generally had nothing to do with whether they were met so prepare for a ton of goalpost shifting. I'll believe it all when I see it.

 

[DB]

Which rather begs the question of why cases are coming down so fast during the depths of winter

There are two issues here - most obviously vaccination, plus natural peaks and troughs.

 

[Huntergreed]

Are the government really being realistic here, and following the law as set out in the 1984 public health act which states any non-pharmaceutical interventions must be the least restrictive neccessary.

If it's only going to be permitted for 2 households or 6 people to meet indoors in 3 MONTHS from now, I would argue this is not the case. Even last time was much better and much quicker than this, and it's like the vaccine isn't even there or doesn't work!

 

[initiation]

As I expected, no mention of when social distancing and face mask wearing can be scrapped.

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't it say all legal social contact limits to be removed (potentially) on the 21st June.


We can hope things will go quicker but I am 99% sure that this will not happen... I will only legally be able to go to my friend's house in 3 months time.

 

[Ianno87]

They are, but that's complicated if one of the parties lives in a shared household.

Only if you live on your own, which neither of us can afford to do.

Ah right. That's unfortunate

Indeed. Was planning to move in with him shortly before all this mess started. We live in separate parts of the UK though so one of us would need to change job, and obviously COVID has decimated the jobs market. All been a complete mess for both of us.

Ugh - can't imagine how hard it must be to keep a relationship going via Zoom.... Hope you get to see each other soon.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't it say all legal social contact limits to be removed (potentially) on the 21st June.


We can hope things will go quicker but I am 99% sure that this will not happen... I will only legally be able to go to my friend's house in 3 months time.

Is there something in May which allows household mixing or is that private gardens?

 

[JakeMurphy]

what about a local day Ranger? I presume it will be when stay at home goes?

 

[Andy Pacer]

what about a local day Ranger? I presume it will be when stay at home goes?

That was my thoughts yes. Hopefully it won't have to be too local!

 

[Class 33]

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't it say all legal social contact limits to be removed (potentially) on the 21st June.

I thought by that remark that he meant the number of people you can meet, rather than specifically 2 metre(or "1 metre plus" or whatever) social distancing measures. If he does actually mean that social distancing can be completely scrapped on the 21st June, then I can just about live with that, and I'll be celebrating on that day, good bloody riddance to this social distancing nonsense!

But he also said though that a review will be taking place at some point(can't remember when that will actually be. I'll have to watch again to check) about how much longer social distancing and face mask wearing will be required. And the worrying thing for me is that involved with that review will be Whitty and Vallance, and Whitty has already said today that these measures will still be needed beyond 2021!

 

[Ianno87]

Is there something in May which allows household mixing or is that private gardens?

As soon as 29th March in private gardens.

May 17th is for indoor mixing

Good summary on https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518

he unlocking will be done in stages with each phase coming no earlier than:
8 March

• All schools and colleges will reopen
• University students can return for practical courses. There will be a review by the end of the Easter holidays for all other students
• Face coverings are recommended for older students, but also for parents and staff in primary school
• Wraparound childcare can also return for vulnerable pupils and where it is needed for parents or carers to go to work, support groups or seek medical care
• People can meet one other person outside for recreation, which can include "a coffee on a bench"
• A "broader range" of campaigning can continue from this date in light of elections on May
• One nominated person can visit care homes, but will need PPE, a lateral flow test and to "keep physical contact to a minimum"
• Holidays still not permitted and outbound passengers will be legally obliged to provide their reason for travel

29 March

• People will be allowed to meet outside either with one other household or within the "rule of six", including in private gardens
• Stay at home rule is dropped but people should still minimise movement as much as possible
• People will still be urged to work from home
• Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including tennis and basketball courts
• Formally organised outdoor sports can also restart
• Parents and children groups can return but are capped at 15 and must be outdoors. Indoor groups can take place for vulnerable children and where parents need the groups to go to work

12 April:

• All retail allowed to open
• Restaurants will be allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors
• 15 people allowed to attend a wedding
• "Personal care premises" (hairdressers) can reopen
• Zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas can reopen
• Gyms can reopen for individuals and household groups
• Libraries and community centres can reopen
• Children allowed to attend indoor play activities, with up to 15 parents or guardians allowed to join them

I'd stick it down as 12th April when travel for leisure is, in effect, permitted again.

 

[duncanp]

Are the government really being realistic here, and following the law as set out in the 1984 public health act which states any non-pharmaceutical interventions must be the least restrictive neccessary.

If it's only going to be permitted for 2 households or 6 people to meet indoors in 3 MONTHS from now, I would argue this is not the case. Even last time was much better and much quicker than this, and it's like the vaccine isn't even there or doesn't work!

I think that the government needs to review the Public Health Act 1984 and introduce a new bill which (a) Repeals the Coronavirus Act 2020 and (b) Sets out how we manage a pandemic like this in the future.

There must be far greater parliamentary scrutiny of any measures, with none of this "too urgent to consult parliament" bovine excrement unless there are truly exceptional circumstances.

 

[NorthOxonian]

That was my thoughts yes. Hopefully it won't have to be too local!

I assume "stay local" will go at the same time as "stay at home". The main limiting factor will be the need to avoid staying overnight, and if (like me) you're near an internal border to avoid crossing that if Sturgeon/Drakeford imposes any additional regulations on that.