Thoughts on UK lockdown - what will happen on 7th may?

[Bumpandus]

Obviously no one can predict anything

But what are your opinions of what will happen and why?

For example:

Lockdown still for a few more weeks?
Or Ease restrictions but how?

Just interested in people’s thoughts.

[redtickreturn]

I got the impression they will unveil some of the plans next week for when the time is right and the 5 points are reached....but the changes won't happen next week because we won't have met the 5 steps yet.

I reckon they will start giving warnings about how schools will open and business etc so people have a good few weeks to work out how that will work for each individual place and the changes will come in toward the end of the month once we meet the test.

[Letseatgrandma]

I think if he does a briefing next Thursday saying things are looking good and he intends to start to ease restrictions on x/y/z, a load of pissheads will take that as a green light light to do stupid things over the Bank Holiday weekend.

[psychomath]

I remember when they added the 5th condition thinking "well that's it they're never lifting the lockdown" because it was such an impossible dream.

I don't remember where I heard it (maybe on here?) but I heard someone say this was the original plan according to one of the briefings, then the bit about the NHS was left out afterwards in the written summary. It would make a lot more sense if this had been the plan all along, because as you say 'no second peak' is an impossible target, and what does it even mean? If we get down to twenty new cases a day, then it goes up to fifty for a bit before dropping again, that's still a 'second peak' - even if it's an extremely small one!

[MarshaBradyo]

Psycho if the the R0 is under 1 then it does make sense that it declines each day. Whether this can be achieved is another matter.

[vanillandhoney]

I think if he does a briefing next Thursday saying things are looking good and he intends to start to ease restrictions on x/y/z, a load of pissheads will take that as a green light light to do stupid things over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Yeah, I can see that happening as well. I hope he doesn't give any confirmed dates for anything next week because people will just abuse it over the bank holiday, just like they did before lockdown started.

[MarshaBradyo]

Yeh I can see that happening too. Probably why they have kept it under wraps.

[pfrench]

If they reduce restrictions before school half term, the Lakes, Cornwall and Wales will be inundated with visitors.

[Bumpandus]

I can’t believe like all over Facebook people are saying can’t wait to have a massive party as if that’s gonna happen It would cause another lockdown. I just wanna see my family to be honest..

[Bumpandus]

So I am concerned that they should not ease restrictions before bank holiday weekend

[MarshaBradyo]

Re massive parties - Maybe they’ll use number restrictions. Don’t know if people will listen if they do however.

[bigchris]

@Fortyandfabulous I'm so sorry to hear that

[Pootle40]

I think there will be easing as in some businesses that currently can't open will be allowed to do so with social distancing (ie hairdressers). I think in Scotland construction will be allowed again as it's been stopped here. More retailers that are not essential will open. I don't think there will be immediate change to who we are allowed to meet up with but I think that will happen by end of May.

[LonelyInLockdown]

It looks like Piers Morgan and the rest of the lockdown bedwetters will endeavour to keep us lockdowned until a vaccine is available.

Half the country will be unemployed, DV, suicide, cancer cases through the roof.

The ‘cure’ is so much more devastating than the virus.

[SophieB100]

I think:
Next Thursday Boris will extend the lockdown until the end of May.
He can't risk, as others have said, a half term and bank holiday where people will flout the guidelines and undo all the hard work we've done.
If the R number remains under 1 during the extension, schools will be alerted that they can plan to re-open on a very phased basis from after half term.
I think (work in secondary) that the focus will be on year 10. Primary will be part time, combined with home learning.

The home learning will continue for all students not in school - so until the end of term it will be split between home learning and some sessions in school.

The first restrictions I imagine lifted will be cautiously opening more shops (still with social distancing), and letting people go out more in groups (but still small) and may be some meeting with family (as long as they aren't vulnerable or showing any symptoms. This will be done over the summer months.

I don't know, none of us do, but what I like about Boris, is his optimism, and I think whatever we think of him, we need him to lift us up a bit, and I have no doubt that if people don't adhere to the current conditions in the next week or two, he will strengthen the lockdown.

[Headbangersandmash]

I think lockdown will continue but shops will open during May.

There's quite a few shops starting deliveries (Nando's, KFC), trialling social distancing in restaurants(McDonalds) and takeout only (Costa) . I hope that this continues through May.

I think that non-essential shops will follow the lead of B&Q and Homebase and have to be allowed to open to prevent shopping centres going bankrupt. The queues at Primark etc will be horrific but plenty of people still working.

I think that some small businesses should be allowed to open. Barbers and hairdressers can use face shields and ask customers to wear a face mask. They could be appointment only and possibly only for key workers at first.

[Headbangersandmash]

The first years to go back will be year 10 and year 12 imo. Timetables might have to be rejigged so children stay in the same classroom where possible with teachers moving class to class.

[Bumpandus]

I think the key points were going to be economy building so getting people back to work and getting kids in school but I don’t know how kids going back to school will stop a second peak..

I would much rather just be able to see my mam as a single parent with 2 kids working from home and home schooling I feel that’s what would be the best next step to have one other household you can see. But it’s al about money!

[MarshaBradyo]

Bump I do think it has to be about the economy yes. So much spending needs to be reigned in and reversed.

[OhTheRoses]

I think they will announce schools will reopen after the Whitsun holiday. On the first Monday back there will be outrage in the Sun and Mirror because Jayden and Chardonnay were sent home for not wearing regulation shoes. It will not matter that they had grown out of their school shoes and the shoe shops were still closed. A head teacher somewhere will insist the right shoes are more important than human life or effective teaching

[Headbangersandmash]

I think the government will be keen not to extend furlough again so I'd be expecting rules like how many office workers per square metre sort of thing.

I am hoping that they will allow tradespeople to do non-emergency work again. I have some jobs that can be done with minimum contact.

[Headbangersandmash]

If schools open I hope that they give notice. I suspect ds will find his trousers too short.

[MarshaBradyo]

I’m keen that furlough isn’t extended too but I do wonder how it will work in restaurants. On R4 this morning a restaurateur was saying that SD would drive down profits to the point of not breaking even.

Actually they mentioned a National Time Out for the sector which sounded a really good idea. Everything halts for nine months or so including rents.

[Headbangersandmash]

I watched a US clip about restaurants and only half of the usual seats were available to customers. They had booths/tables marked not available. I can imagine social distancing being a huge problems for small cafes etc

[Somanythingsmakemesad]

Yes more lockdown to take us over the Bank Holiday, lots of businesses cautiously opening with restrictions, has to happen, our country will collapse in on itself otherwise

[Pleasedontdrawonyoursister]

Something I’ve been worrying about lately re primary schools. If they do open but with social distancing, won’t this be quite frightening and confusing for the little ones, especially lower primary. I have been desperate for them to go back since they shut (toddler plus homeschool plus wfh) but actually I’m now thinking about keeping them home even if they do open!