The public want more restrictions, not less

[John Luxton]

I pretty much gave up on NYE at the millennium. Even before that it was rarely in the top 10 nights out of the year for me. I oppose restrictions then as strongly as I do any other day, but in terms of the personal impact on me it would actually be slightly more convenient for things to close. This position may well carry over to less principled people who would support closures as a result

Interesting.

I have never been a big socialiser and Christmas / New Year isn't that much different.

I have had the odd holiday over Christmas though more often between Christmas and New Year.

However I do recognise that quite a lot do enjoy partying over both holidays and I certainly would not want to see such people have their fun curtailed just because it isn't something I would do. Thus whatever happens will not impact on me as I have nothing planned but I wouldn't wish restrictions to spoil things for others.

 

[317 forever]

I'd have said 'The public' can impose what restrictions on themselves they wish, generally speaking.

That is to some extent happening anyway with examples of people hardly going out before Christmas in order to limit their chance of catching the virus before Christmas.

What is hard for tourism & hospitality is where they lose bookings and visits as a result but are not entitled to compensation from the government as there is no lockdown as such. Admittedly the need for vaccination passports will in itself reduce numbers at some clubs for example.

 

[John Luxton]

What is hard for tourism & hospitality is where they lose bookings and visits as a result but are not entitled to compensation from the government as there is no lockdown as such. Admittedly the need for vaccination passports will in itself reduce numbers at some clubs for example.

For quite a few years I have been staying at the same UK hotels for trips and all operated on a guarantee your stay with a credit card with the right to cancel up to 24 hours before arrival.

However, this has changed over the past couple of years - two hotels have gone from 24hrs to 72hours notice otherwise a charge will be made for one night's stay.

Another has switched to 48 hours notice.

Another now debits the full cost of your stay up to a week in advance.

I can see more hotels moving to that method of advanced charging in the light of recent experiences as it probably does prevent many customers having last minute second thoughts.

If that does happen on a wider scale I can see life for travellers, especially those who like to change their plans at short notice, becoming more difficult even when things return to normal as I doubt these hotels will move back to their 24 hour notice terms.

 

[317 forever]

Hit the nail on the head here. Most people I talk to are not scared of Covid itself. There fear is the isolation. With a positive test today ruining whatever plans they had for Christmas, they are choosing to avoid contact. Come January they will go about their business as normal.

some of the restrictions are odd. Wales and the nightclubs to name one and the long queues for the Covid expresses into France today. If it is that much of a concern why not do it now?

I was invited to a social event with the request/condition being that we had a negative lateral flow test result that day. I respected this but, even without having any symptoms, was so nervous of a positive result - thus having to isolate and beg people to buy my food - that I stayed away from the social.

I could digress and say why I did not consider online shopping suitable, but won't here.

For quite a few years I have been staying at the same UK hotels for trips and all operated on a guarantee your stay with a credit card with the right to cancel up to 24 hours before arrival.

However, this has changed over the past couple of years - two hotels have gone from 24hrs to 72hours notice otherwise a charge will be made for one night's stay.

Another has switched to 48 hours notice.

Another now debits the full cost of your stay up to a week in advance.

I can see more hotels moving to that method of advanced charging in the light of recent experiences as it probably does prevent many customers having last minute second thoughts.

If that does happen on a wider scale I can see life for travellers, especially those who like to change their plans at short notice, becoming more difficult even when things return to normal as I doubt these hotels will move back to their 24 hour notice terms.

This could also help such hotels' revenue stream as they receive payment upfront and refund cancellations, albeit at slightly longer notice, rather than being without the income until the guest arrives. Premier Inn have such a policy with semi-flexible rates refundable up to 28 days prior to arrival

 

[david1212]

The bottom line is simple. If you want never to leave your home you do not have to. Everything can be bought on line for delivery, you can communicate with family & friends by phone, whatsapp etc, get tour entertainment from TV, internet, books, crafts etc and if you can not do you job with no loss of productivity from home tell your employer you are taking unpaid leave then accept the consequences.

Go back a few steps and you can order shopping for click and collect so either not leave your car at all or keep outside at least 2m from everyone else. Similarly meet family and friends outside in quiet places while maintaining 2m distancing.

What is overlooked is the consequences of all except those in some way connected with essential services doing this. Short term how much more strain can the Magic Money Tree take. Longer term how will the damage be repaired ? Compared to 50+ years ago far few people are employed in manufacturing and production. All under the umbrella of hospitality and entertainment have taken up some of the slack. Taking a wider sweep Furlough ended at the same time as businesses took on additional staff for the build up to Christmas. Once people have spent their gift money these staff will no longer be needed. January - March always have been lean times as people pay off borrowing for Christmas and put spare money aside for the main holiday. Hence while unemployment did not jump in October time will tell if just a three month delay.

If just as an example, as I've no idea what the actual figures would need to be, the cost was stated as increasing general VAT from 20 to 25% and energy VAT from 5 to 10% for six months against every month of lockdown would all those who want more restrictions still want them ? After all it is easy to suggest things that neither cost you nor make a big difference to your life.

A second consideration which has been the subject of many posts over the last 18 months is mental health. Some need a regular escape from the same four walls. This may be as a family to e.g. bowling, play centre or individually to a pub, cinema etc.

A third consideration is simply driving social mixing underground to homes instead of pubs and clubs. The reality is police resources are limited so unless attention is drawn to the gathering the risks are minimal. Potentially the buildup and hence spread of Covid particles is greater as more cramped.

 

[greyman42]

That is to some extent happening anyway with examples of people hardly going out before Christmas in order to limit their chance of catching the virus before Christmas.

I was out in York on Saturday night and the city was packed to the rafters.