To think it might be quite useful if they TOLD us if / what restrictions will be imposed from 26th

[RBKB]

I have guests coming for the 25th...but they need to know if they can catch the first trains home on the 27th.....

BJ knows he's up shit creek without a paddle. He knows what he plans to do to some extent but knows it'll probably be unpopular. So he's hanging on. Let people enjoy some sort of Xmas and then the shit will hit the fan by the New Year. Will people listen? I'll do my best but after not saying goodbye to my terminally ill relative in May 2000, due to restrict ions, while that shower of shite were having cheese and wine, he can kiss my shiny ring.

[quote RBKB]@jgw1 to be fair....this virus is hugely unpredictable and I think most people understand that politicians can't be held to 'no more restrictions, ever'. I'm no fan of this bunch of muppets but would completely accept restrictions for the community's sake if the data points that way...although dear god they better not shut schools (child protection issues and depression amongst teens make this an utter last resport in my view!)

But.....Wales have managed to say what is happening on the 26th! I just see this as yet more English govt failing to act in time, because, let's face it, they don't really care about us oiks anyway.[/quote]
Given almost all of us know that virus are not predictable, almost all of us wouldn't have made such a song and dance about freedom day.

I'm holding off packing for a holiday on the 27th (our forth attempt at this holiday). Several hours drive away, sharing a hotel apartment with my parents. Do we all drive there only to be told no households mixing and that one set of us has to be evicted and drive all the way home, despite us seeing them on Xmas day. Will we be allowed to use the pool because if not, I'd rather just cancel now. Will we need to take our own food? Do I need to cancel my child's birthday party again? All these are relatively small things in the great scheme of things, but regardless, the uncertainty is driving me mad! I really feel for the hospitality industry who are going to be forced into placing large orders/rotating staff etc not having a clue whether it will all go to waste. It would be better for those businesses to know now if they need to cancel orders, rather than food going to waste.

@Whattodonowill I hear you. My best friend lost her dad at that time, and was unable to see him during his last week. Or read her eulogy to him. Their contempt horrifies me me. I will never forget BJ's 'operation last gasp' joke about ventilators. These people do not represent or guide me in any way. CHRIS WHITTY FOR PM!!!!

[quote RBKB]@jgw1 to be fair....this virus is hugely unpredictable and I think most people understand that politicians can't be held to 'no more restrictions, ever'. I'm no fan of this bunch of muppets but would completely accept restrictions for the community's sake if the data points that way...although dear god they better not shut schools (child protection issues and depression amongst teens make this an utter last resport in my view!)

But.....Wales have managed to say what is happening on the 26th! I just see this as yet more English govt failing to act in time, because, let's face it, they don't really care about us oiks anyway.[/quote]
English government failing to react in time, or Welsh government over reacting and introducing restrictions before enough is known about Omicron? Time will tell.

If I'd made as many cock ups in my job, I'd have had the sack months ago. How he sleeps at night is a fucking mystery to me.

Last year it would have been useful if they told parents and teachers schools will move to online right after the break.

Let’s just remember this when the time comes to vote the bastards out.

Too right. We are now going to get no notice for something we could have had a week’s notice for. And all because our PM wants to be seen as ‘saving Christmas’.

@Francienolan

It always makes me laugh a little when people say to ignore the rules on these threads. Shall I break into my local pub and pull myself a pint then?

It’s quite obvious which rules people mean. Of course there are ones you can’t break (like pubs being closed) but restrictions on seeing family can be broken with almost complete certainty that it won’t be policed.

I never voted for this lot and will definitely not be again. I'm a teacher too so I have absolutely no more shits to give. Lockdown two nearly saw me off

Of course, it's annoying. But the Government (well, most of them) is trying to balance the economy against what the NHS can handle, with limited information themselves.

There's a lot more at stake than whether you can get your beef joint out!

@RobinsReliant

Too right. We are now going to get no notice for something we could have had a week’s notice for. And all because our PM wants to be seen as ‘saving Christmas’.

How though if data from today was needed?

@Foolsrule

It’s ridiculous. Just look at the figures on the BBC news site this morning. More cases than any other European country, the WHO claiming Armageddon is coming and the UK carries on, merrily doing nothing (and reduces isolation times 🙄). Meanwhile, our European counterparts are taking action because as we saw in 2020, you need to act quickly…

Number of cases is irrelevant, it’s the number of hospitalisations and serious illness that matters. The data coming through now suggests Omicron is much less severe than Delta.

It could be that Boris is the one doing the right thing, and other countries are needlessly wrecking their economies and mental health of their citizens.

Yes it would be useful, DS was meant to be coming down for Christmas and has tested positive so we are hoping to rearrange for New Year, I'm sure many are the same and will want to reschedule if isolating at Christmas.

The damage from restrictions is not light at all.

If it’s mild enough, no idea based on that data today, and we’re in a better position then it’s good

I'm afraid they may be struggling with trains anyway, as so many drivers are self-isolating/off sick with Covid that many services are being cancelled.

(There is also a strike on Xmas Eve BTW)

Doris86 exactly this, it’s about hospital admission and deaths and from what I have seen they are not that high which does suggest that either omicron isn’t that dangerous or the vaccines are working to stop people getting really ill.

I don’t think there will be a lockdown, I don’t think schools will close. I think there will be some restrictions, possibly rule of 6, people continuing to work from home if they can and more social distancing. I can’t see places closing (furlough will cost the government too much).

I do agree that it’s wrong to keep everyone waiting.

We're visiting 93 year old MIL from 29th - 31st. Because of this we are avoiding seeing anyone else over Christmas. If he's going to say we can't go I'd rather know now so we can see friends over Christmas. Not so much worried for us but don't want to give the virus to MIL.

Fucking useless government strikes again. It's only England who are dithering. Everyone else in the UK knows what the score is after Christmas now.

There’ll be businesses that won’t come back from restrictions. A club in NI just on saying this. Amplify that. So if data is used that is key then I prefer they wait than make assumptions.

It’s tough I know as time of year but it should be based on current info re mildness

Announcements will be before NYE. We will
Go into lock down again 28th. For 2 weeks. Schools won’t go back until Feb half term

@Beachbreak2411

Announcements will be before NYE. We will Go into lock down again 28th. For 2 weeks. Schools won’t go back until Feb half term

God I hope not, that seems a bit of an over reaction to something that's supposedly not that bad and mainly the unvaccinated are the ones in hospital...

My own view is that whilst case numbers are shooting up, those cases aren't converting into vastly increased hospital admissions or deaths - yet. Of course that could change, but we keep hearing from South Africa that this variant is not that bad.

If we're vaccinated we should be fine if that the case. That's a big difference from the previous lockdowns.

We can’t have our Christmas holiday / celebrations until the 27th due to work and family dynamics . If the restrictions go far enough we won’t be having Our family Christmas at all. We won’t be the only ones by any means but another let down . It was our turn to have the children last year with restrictions in place which . Same again this year possibly. But , at least they will have had one family fun fuelled Christmas even if it’s not with me. X

Another person here to say that 100,000 cases are largely irrelevant. Very few, unless unvaxxed or with serious underlying health conditions, are going to be hospitalised and fewer still will end up in ITU.

That said there's a million-odd people feeling dreadfully poorly, for whom the best advice is ancient wisdom: go to bed, drink lots of water and juice, take aspirin and paracetamol according to the instructions on the packet, sleep as much as possible, eat a little when you feel able. Eat, read, sleep and watch TV, rinse and repeat. Mostly this variant doesn't seem to need medical intervention -- unless the person affected is already unwell with a serious condition.

There won’t be any restrictions- its mild