What are the chances of lockdown this Christmas?

[43leftfeet]

I've been away this weekend (UK, but I've been distracted and not following the news).

I see there's been talk of Johnson announcing a "ban on Christmas" possibly, around the 17th - or not, depending on what happens with Omicron - is that about right?

I know we can't know yet what's going to happen, but what are people's feelings?

What do you think the restrictions, if any, are likely to be in England & Wales & in Scotland?

[siestalady]

I doubt they will lock down as I think people will pay very little attention to it (and they know that)

[fedup65356]

It's around New Year they're more likely to bring in more restrictions but probably not a full lockdown.

[userxx]

No, there won't be a lockdown over Xmas. Enjoy it!

[Northsoutheastwest76]

I can't see there being a Lockdown tbh.

[AnyFucker]

What are the chances of anyone complying even if the govt tried to impose a lockdown this Xmas ?

Negligible, I would say

[MissPeregrine]

I really can’t imagine there will be a similar scenario as last year, the bumbling about and dithering and then the ‘sorry, Christmas is cancelled’, at the last minute…then again, until we know more about this pesky new variant who knows!

[43leftfeet]

@userxx

No, there won't be a lockdown over Xmas. Enjoy it!

We're meant to be visiting relatives who won't want us coming if the government says not to travel.

[PastMyBestBeforeDate]

Practically nil, especially while they're being pushed on Christmas parties last year at No. 10

[noblegiraffe]

@AnyFucker

What are the chances of anyone complying even if the govt tried to impose a lockdown this Xmas ?

Negligible, I would say

I do wonder if that is why someone has been stirring things up with reports of Downing Street parties last Christmas.

They'll have sat on that info for a long time. The story isn't obviously targeted at Johnson so I reckon it's someone who wants to kill any possible idea of restrictions with non-compliance.

[Skysblue]

No, cos Boris wants his xmas party and he’s already had covid so isn’t bothered. Xmas will be normal.

It’ll probably be in late Jan or Feb for lockdown, once the hospitals are really struggling.

Such a shame Boris cancelled the order of the vaccine that works against the whole virus not just the spike, given we now have a virus with a very mutated spike. Slow handclap for Boris… 🤦‍♀️

[ShiftingSands21]

Lockdown no but I think there could well be more restrictions, depending on the trajectory. I feel like our office party won’t be happening.

[FindingMeno]

I very much doubt we will go into another lockdown unless omi whatever its called proves to be a really serious bugger.
I very much doubt people would do it anyway.

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

I read the same thing about the 17th being decision day - but I read it more as increased restrictions rather than a lockdown. I would imagine similar to Ireland if anything.

[43leftfeet]

@Judystilldreamsofhorses

I read the same thing about the 17th being decision day - but I read it more as increased restrictions rather than a lockdown. I would imagine similar to Ireland if anything.

What's the situation in Ireland?

[milly74]

It won't be Christmas but I strongly feel there will be a "lockdown lite" in New Year with return of wfh etc

[julieca]

Cases are expected to soar in mid to late January. I suspect more restrictions on 17th Dec would reduce that, but unlikely to happen. I suspect things will carry on until by late January/early Feb the hospitals are getting overwhelmed and schools are closing because of the amount of ill staff.

[PrincessNutNuts]

When they brought in masks on public transport and in shops in November the three week review was scheduled for December 18th.

Parliament has to vote in favour of them again I think. Or they expire on the 20th.

If Omicron cases are at about 246 today and they do double twice a week then that will put them about 1968 at that point, which won't worry anybody. (Even though it probably should because that's only 6 doublings/3 weeks from some really big numbers if the trend were to continue.)

[PrincessNutNuts]

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.mirror.co.uk/news/boris-johnson-poised-confirm-christmas-25623415.amp

[forallthetea]

I could see a 'circuit breaker' for 2 weeks at the start of January.

[XenoBitch]

They can announce it, but I doubt many would follow it. Me included.

[FanGirlX]

Some kind of circuit breaker in early / mid Jan. if that doesn't work then lockdown light for a few months.

[IndigoC]

Entirely dependent on the severity of illness Omicron causes IMO. Looks likely to be milder and if so I think they’ll refrain from much beyond what we have.

But if it’s at the same level of severity as Delta + crazy high transmission, I can see another lockdown. Or perhaps if it turns out to be dangerous for under 5s etc.

[Userevermore]

If there is one it will be in January, possibly just before New Year. Possibly more restrictions on hospitality before Christmas.

[WanderingFruitWonderer]

I also think a January lockdown, or lockdown ish, is much more likely than a Christmas one...

[Userevermore]

Plan B after Christmas so WFH and vaccine passports, quite likely I suspect, probably to start after the Christmas break and for NYE