All restrictions to end this month?

[ElleGB]

Just saw this on breaking news.

That’s it - no more restrictions. Everything back to normal.

I’m not sure how I feel about it.

@SpinningTheSeedsOfLove

Public health data and planning operates on a population level so posters' anecdotes about individual family members while interesting aren't really relevant iyswim.

The government says it will publish further 'plans' in a week or so - I'm foolishly optimistically assuming these will include policies for workplaces, allowing immune-compromised employees to separate themselves to some extent from workers known to have covid. This could piggy-back on to the existing policies of decent employers e.g. for workers undergoing chemotherapy being able to keep their distance from people with streaming colds etc.

People with cancer already get shat on enough financially.

Nah of course it won't People on here don't give a fuck because "people were vulnerable before covid and they should just change jobs" so I imagine that's how the general public feel about it

Great to know that if you're CEV and want to keep yourself safe then you're excluded from teaching, NHS, police, retail work etc or well, 70% of jobs

@hopeishere

England only though! Pity those in the nations!!

I'm in England. A move to Glasgow in February has never looked so attractive.

I’m pleased, I’ve just started a new job and still haven’t seen anyone’s face yet 😂

Feels like a good time to do it, vaccinations going ok, warmer weather coming, the worst of the pandemic over....

Great news. What makes it even more enjoyable is knowing that the petty tyrants and would-be controllers who've been getting off on limiting others' lives will be furious. They've lost. Life's going back to normal and there's nothing they can do about it.

The next step is for the government to introduce legal protections for people in case any employers, local authorities etc attempt unjustly to introduce their own restrictions.

Hurray !

Thank fuck I say.

@Yeathat - so you want big government to tell employers and local councils what to do?

Thank god!

[quote FrankieBoyleSezLoveOneAnother]@Yeathat - so you want big government to tell employers and local councils what to do?[/quote]
Lol you really thought this was some sort of "checkmate", didn't you?

I'd suggest you start making your preparations to move to Scotland - enjoy fully your 4-6 week window of continuing to live under restrictions there until Sturgeon also follows suit.

@Yeahthat - nah, sorry to disappoint you, I'm staying in England, I like it here.

So does that mean no more testing? No LFT's or PCR's?

@Yeahthat

Great news. What makes it even more enjoyable is knowing that the petty tyrants and would-be controllers who've been getting off on limiting others' lives will be furious. They've lost. Life's going back to normal and there's nothing they can do about it.

The next step is for the government to introduce legal protections for people in case any employers, local authorities etc attempt unjustly to introduce their own restrictions.

Take a look at the unbridled fury of two posters on the other thread, it’s a sight to see.

Now nicola better get the stupid vaccine passports to fuck up here in Scotland!

@NotJustACigar

I have very mixed feelings about this. Covid is rife and yet I've managed to avoid catching it so far as has DH but that's not going to last long if people with symptoms are allowed to be out and about.

People with covid - both asymptomatic and with symptoms - are out and about already.

It's logical. They've discovered that even if they want to, they can't control the spread of omicron effectively. That tips the balance in terms of restrictions. They all cause their own problems or are infringements on individuals, and the longer restrictions go on, the more negative effects build up. You can't justify those things when they aren't even effective any more.

It's not just Boris, the same decision is being made in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, provinces across Canada. None of which are places that tend to be wild in their decision making.

The other element is that more and more people simply aren't testing or isolating anyway, because they can't afford to miss that kind of work.

If that goes on too long it will become very normalized and that's not really a very good thing from a public health perspective.

A couple of things I don't understand:
-I thought we already had 'freedom day' so how is this any different?
-I'm assuming the end of restrictions doesn't include hospitals, GPS etc.
-Can places still choose to enforce restrictions? My son's nursery and weekly activity are very strict on masks, for example.

@firstimemamma the main difference will be the end of isolating when people test positive for covid. And masks mandate removed from public transport.

@firstimemamma

A couple of things I don't understand: -I thought we already had 'freedom day' so how is this any different? -I'm assuming the end of restrictions doesn't include hospitals, GPS etc. -Can places still choose to enforce restrictions? My son's nursery and weekly activity are very strict on masks, for example.

It's different because we don't need to sit at home when well as isolation is lifted.

I suspect those businesses that still enforce SD and masks will start to dwindle especially if it is a business that will lose out if people choose ones that don't. And before someone says that people will choose those enforcing masks I think that is wishful thinking given how many people don't want them as shown already.

@firstimemamma

A couple of things I don't understand: -I thought we already had 'freedom day' so how is this any different? -I'm assuming the end of restrictions doesn't include hospitals, GPS etc. -Can places still choose to enforce restrictions? My son's nursery and weekly activity are very strict on masks, for example.

• Freedom day, you still had to isolate if you tested positive and there was still all that rigmarole with LFT and PCR
• As I understand it will be the end of restrictions in all places
• People can ask for masks (as shops can now) but I don't think it could be enforced as there will be no law governing it. It expires in March and won't be renewed.

The few measures left in England include:

• people who develop Covid symptoms or test positive must self-isolate for 10 days (or five full days following two negative lateral flow test results)
• venues can choose to ask people to show an NHS Covid Pass
• face coverings are still required in health and care settings, including hospitals, GP surgeries and pharmacies
• some shops have asked customers to keep wearing face coverings and they are required on public transport in London
• in some circumstances, local authorities can recommend face coverings in the communal areas of schools

So I'm assuming all that will end.

@Berengaria1

This is good news. Although I know lots of people who have had covid in the last 3 months, none have been other than mildly unwell or had no symptoms. The vaccines work and we need to start rebuilding our lives and economy.

Lucky you! Most that I know have been pretty poorly - even though all are vaccinated.

@BuddhaForMary @Stuffin @CornishGem1975 thanks all. I'm due to give birth to our second baby next month. I really hope dh will be able to be with me afterwards for more than an hour! Will ask my midwife.

I think what COVID has done is highlight how selfish many people are, and how they won't even do the smallest thing to help protect others.

Most people have spent the best part of the last two years doing everything to protect others, often to the detriment of their own health, mental health, financial situations and education. It's time to move on.