If non essential shops can open

[strugglingwithdeciding]

I missed briefing today as I'm a bit fed up watching them all tbh
I knew June would see the opening of some non essential shops etc but was hoping when this happened that we would see a little more relaxation in meeting friends or family ? But I can't see that anything was mentioned
Aibu that going to see some friends /family social distancing outside is more important than being able to go to primark for example ( although could do with some new clothes as mine have all shrunk during lockdown )
I preferred Ireland's meeting up to 4 so much better than our meet one other
When will we be given a little more freedom to meet some family / friends ?

[maddening]

The shops do need more advance warning though op, they need to know what they are planning for so they can work towards it, this gives them a 3 week lead time. You don't need 3 weeks to arrange to meet a couple of friends.

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@Erictheavocado yes I think people are forgetting this as well
It's the lack of any information I find hard like no timescales of when we may be able to increase our social circle etc , other countries have advised this
Yes I know it's all subjective to keeping virus under control and could change but at least if we have a rough idea we might have something to look forward to

[peoplepleaser1]

@Erictheavocado that's true but a lot of people won't have childcare issues and you can't keep everyone from working because some people have childcare issues.

I know it's not fair, but nothing about this virus or the measures needed to try to control it are fair.

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@maddening but they pretty much knew they would be opening in June as that was announced last time round as next stage
We haven't been give any guidelines on social side if things and what may happen at what stage that was completely left out , I know the economy is important but other countries have still addressed the two matters

[Khione]

A large number of people have already started seeing family - doing a personal risk assessment and using judgement that if transmission is low outside then why worry. Quite rightly in my opinion.

Shops do need notice in order to get staff back in etc, so if they can open from next Monday it makes sense to give them a week to get the safety aspect organised and staff in. Having said that our local market is opening at least some stall tomorrow (again quite rightly I think)

If advance notice is given of more social/family visiting being allowed it will just increase the move towards it than is happening already.

Do your own risk assessment, and get on with it. Personally I'm holiday shopping - Turkey is looking good for July

[peoplepleaser1]

OP some of us are very much looking forward to shops reopening. DH's business and the employment of over 50 people depends on it. He has managed to amass hundreds of orders during lockdown which will translate into saving his company and securing the jobs of his team but this will only be able to happen when the shop can open, at which point appointments will be allocated to customers and socially distanced retailing will begin.

Those of us whose lives depend on shops being open do feel its vitally important to do so as soon as it's safe. We also appreciate the 3 weeks advanced notice (with the conditions attached).

[strugglingwithdeciding]

We've even Been told that pubs and cinemas etc may be allowed to open in July and that they will be on the next phase , step or whatever we are calling it , but the social /family side of it has just totally omitted last he said was they were taking advice of what they could to next, hopefully he will announce something else but he doesn't usually apparat twice in one week

[Chocolatefixeseverything]

In NI you can meet up to 6 people! Outside in a park though no sign of indoors yet.

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@peoplepleaser1 and I personally have no issue with shops opening although the shop keepers I know have been doing plenty of planning etc and expecting June as he said before
My point is a little easing or at least what the next step may look like would also be a good idea
Like I said I lost my job due to working al be it in office but for a non essential shop ( not due to open until next stage ) bit at least I know I many get my job back in July and there's a possibility but I have no idea if or when I will get to see my Nan ( she lives over 100 miles away so not like I can pop and wave through windows )

[Nosurveysneeded]

But you can meet family and friends... with social distancing one at a time..

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@Chocolatefixeseverything oh really I wasn't aware of that. .see why can't we have something like this we can meet one person at a time so my mum drives my dad to meet me then he has to sit on the car whilst I meet my mum , makes no sense

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@Nosurveysneeded yes In a public space but if I was a single parent with a 4 year old , I can't meet anyone as there is 2 of us and too young to leave

[peoplepleaser1]

@strugglingwithdeciding unless your nan is under 70 and with no underlying health issues Boris is not going to suggest you visit her until either a vaccine is found, the infection rate drops drastically or the virus itself becomes less dangerous.

We are nowhere near having a green light to visit vulnerable people.

[Namechangeapril20]

I'm in Northern Ireland. We can meet up in groups of up to 6 outdoors. I live beside a big park, and to be honest people where doing it anyway and everyone knows it, so I think it was a way of appearing to relax the rules without anything actually changing.

However in our step by step plan, the original outline was that by 29th May we would be able to be visit immediate families houses, on the condition that we were able to socially distance inside. We should find out by Friday.

[AuntieStella]

Does this all mean that the Five Tests have all been passed?

[Inkpaperstars]

when I will get to see my Nan ( she lives over 100 miles away so not like I can pop and wave through windows )

I think many of us will be doing these very long round trips in one day and trying to find solutions to toilets etc.

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@peoplepleaser she is over 70 she is 87 and does not have a shielding letter though and she lives on her own and that is having a big impact on her now as it has been so long and there may never be a vaccine , what then she lives on her own forever with no social contact .
I'm worried about her now tbh being able to meet up with even one family member would be so much better for her and she knows the risk and it's only advice for there age if we can meet family and they advise not to meet over 70's I think my Nan can make that risk assessing herself

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@Namechange see Ireland get it at least and they have at least thought about it in their plans

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@peoplepleaser and as can't meet up with one family members under current rules as she couldn't get herself to a public place safely

[strugglingwithdeciding]

My understanding currently is that shielding letters only go up to early July , then what ?

[Namechangeapril20]

I'm talking about Northern Ireland. We're still part of the UK. Ireland have a much more detailed outline of easement plans again, including when extended family are likely to be able to meet again, etc.

[RainbowMum11]

Seeing friends & family doesn't generate income for the treasury though.

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@Namechangeapril20 sorry meant to put n Ireland and am aware part of uk
Shame we didn't take a leaf out of your book in England at least it's in your plans
Also find it strange the uk didn't have much more similar plans

[kateandme]

its human behavioral science they have worked with here.you are more likely to be less vidulant with washing and distance with family,hence the no driveways or households rule.and the no seeing more than one in public.you have bariers which will come up in shops and around others where you will tyr and keep away.with family these responses gradually come down.your more likely to share food or touch the same items or hug or gather in and gather in where as others you just want to keep away.

[strugglingwithdeciding]

@kateandme but I'm sure both roi and ni and a lot of European countries have considered this too and many allow more than meeting of one !!