to think that if people can't gather in groups of more than 6, then why are crowds allowed at the St Leger today?

[chomalungma]

I know. It will be Covid Secure and all that.

I wonder if alcohol will be served - because races and alcohol consumption go together.

I know it's a pilot trial to see if crowds are safe.

But it's not going to help enforce rules when people see crowds at the racing

[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2020/sep/09/talking-horses-fears-for-return-of-crowds-after-new-covid-restriction]]

Tuesday’s late news about tightening coronavirus restrictions came just in time to sour the return of racegoers to a British racecourse. Up to 3,640 ticket-buyers are allowed in the ‘general admission’ areas at Doncaster on Wednesday, rising to more than 6,000 for the next three days, which should be a moment for hope that this is a firm step towards normality and the worst is past.

It's utterly ludicrous. An absolute fucking shambles yet again from this government.

Because the government see us as drones that circulate money rather than humans with lives and priorities of our own.

I am so angry about this latest announcement as it basically means I now can't see any of my family. But yet am expected to send my kids to school, to go to shops with no social distancing, go to pubs etc etc

Because today isn't Monday

Even if it is a test and it’s different to in-home gatherings or whatever, perception is important in this and this will not help with messaging.

@monsterad

Because today isn't Monday

I get that.

But it's a mixed message.

And if there's an issue about the rise in infections at the moment, then there is an issue.

It's a crap way to reinforce a public health message.

Why are we doing a 'pilot' to see if crowds of 6000 are safe at the same time as the government have decided a crowd of 30 isn't?
I wonder if Dido Harding knows?

Because today isn't Monday

This ^^

The announcement was from 14th September, not 'with immediate effect'.

It’s the economy, stoopid

monsterad

Because today isn't Monday

Pretty sure sports events are allowed to continue from Monday? (in a COVID secure way, whatever the hell that is 🙄)

Delighted to be told I’m wrong.

The announcement was from 14th September, not 'with immediate effect

I know.
I get that.

But...it's all about the message. And behaviour.

And people taking it seriously.

This does not help reinforce the message.

But...it's all about the message. And behaviour.

But that same logic applies to all gatherings of more than 6 people between now and Monday? I don't understand why you have you singled out one specific event for immediate banning, rather than querying why a blanket five-day grace period applies to all events or gatherings of more than 6 people.

FWIW, I agree that if there's a danger, there's a danger, and that danger is present now and not just from Monday.

But that same logic applies to all gatherings of more than 6 people between now and Monday? I don't understand why you have you singled out one specific event for immediate banning, rather than querying why a blanket five-day grace period applies to all events or gatherings of more than 6 people

Because it's a massive event on TV which will be publicised with over 6000 people attending?

SO it's both behaviour AND a potential infection spreading event.

But if you know of any other event with 3000 people plus attending in the next few days, then let me know and I'll add it to the thread..

This government has no clue about giving notice or not. No clue about the real world.

I'd think it's not unrelated to either Dido Harding's nor Matt Hancock's conflicts of interest in the matter (racing for Harding, constituency for Hancock).

Because if there is a till in the room then you can have a many people as you like there

That's why they are starting restrictions from Monday. Makes no sense.

@chomalungma

The announcement was from 14th September, not 'with immediate effect

I know.
I get that.

But...it's all about the message. And behaviour.

And people taking it seriously.

This does not help reinforce the message.

At what point during this pandemic has the government been concerned about “the message”?

When BoJo visited corona wards and shook hands will infected patients?

When Gove went into a sandwich shop without a face mask?

When Dominic Cummings drove to Barnard Castle to see his parents, then had a nice day out for his wife’s birthday?

They’ve consistently said one thing and done another, probably so they can blame it on the population when it all goes wrong.

@Blueringedoctopus

Because if there is a till in the room then you can have a many people as you like there

Excellently put!

Because today isn't Monday

Exactly. And the4 government needs information on how to make such events safe in the future.

The government trusted us to act like grown-ups - we didn't. So now the rules have been further simplified so that even a selfish moron can understand them clearly. The advantage is that it will now be
easier for the police to arrest them for breaking the rules which, sadly, they still will.

Horse racing, innit. Same reason as Cheltenham Festival went ahead as cases were soaring. Lots of money in horse racing and money talks.

It's just been announced on the news, that from tomorrow, it will be held behind closed doors.

Because it comes into place on Monday.

It's just been announced on the news, that from tomorrow, it will be held behind closed doors

www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2020/sep/09/talking-horses-fears-for-return-of-crowds-after-new-covid-restriction

Interesting turn around

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Dr Rupert Suckling, Doncaster Council’s director of public health, said that “on the grounds of public health and safety, I have instructed the racecourse to hold the St Leger Festival behind closed doors from tomorrow.
“The day’s racing will continue today as it is safer to manage racegoers on site and with enhanced test and trace, it will be easier to identify where they are from rather than closing the event today and leaving people to their own devices in Doncaster and the borough generally