Wow. It was end of lockdown here today!

[pontypridd]

Celebrations, party hats, picnics, hugs, kisses, groups of 10,20 etc crowds squashed in next to river swimming.

My goodness, we are in for quite some second wave.

The only places I know about are what I’ve seen on SM and it appears to be mixed, some places are busy but people are social distancing, others are not and it looks like normal. We haven’t been anywhere local so I have no idea what it’s like tbh. We are still staying home as much as possible and cannot see family even from Monday as they are at least 2hrs away by car, so this is us for now at least!

Yesterday our local Heath was the busiest I've ever seen it in all the time we've lived here. Several were clearly family groups and/or a couple of people meeting up and keeping apart, but the majority were similar to the group nearest to us, big gathering, lots of kids playing a football match.

@ifIwerenotanandroid
They are so noisy!
They huff and puff and grunt, and it goes on for hours.
The first time I heard it, years ago I thought they were fighting and went out to try to break it up.
That didn't go down well.😁

Our local river & beauty spots on the moors have been jam-packed with day trippers, no social distancing by the river & huge amounts of litter left every night. The public toilets are shut so it's grim. It's heartbreaking. We still have a high R here - the government decision to ease lockdown has definitely been London-centric.

mainly people from London travelling here for the day, some are staying with relitives.
Staying with family? So locals who came to London you mean?

What's the problem with people coming from London? Either you believe the government stats stating the r rate is low in London so these people are more at risk from Dorset locals than the other way round. Or you think the government is lying and London's still a high risk. In which care, why? Commuters in to London? International airport arrivals? If this is the case than equal treatment across England should apply. No unessential travel (including unquarantined flights) anywhere in the UK or unessential travel everywhere. No selected special areas given extra protection.

Fascinating btw that you know exactly where all these people come from. Given there's 'hordes' of them. However did you have the time to interrogate each and every one.

@NC29 what do you mean ‘Pubs are full,’ ? I though they were closed?

I'm thinking (and hoping!) that as opening up of shops and more return to work in Covid secure workplaces that it'll start to calm down.

So far everyone was just allowed outside as much as they wanted. They have nothing else to do.

Next week sees the return of school for many and shops opening. I'd be interested in how many people quantity wise that includes.

So I'd suggest those who can't get work in work and can WFh with flexible hours use the weekdays to get out. Weekends could end up being busier?

Plus remember there are 10's of thousands (prob 100's thousands) uni students and year 11/13 who don't have school etc. Uni students finish soonish I think as well and are home even if studying.

@legoqueen

Our local river & beauty spots on the moors have been jam-packed with day trippers, no social distancing by the river & huge amounts of litter left every night. The public toilets are shut so it's grim. It's heartbreaking. We still have a high R here - the government decision to ease lockdown has definitely been London-centric.

Somebody had better Keep the daytrippers Out from their home towns and cities. Can't have them bringing back germs from more infected areas. They'd better get overnight accommodation.

London centric
Well certainly the deaths and suffering was London centric. Not something most would envy but you get all sorts. And yes lifting lockdown too soon is London centric...if you mean making it the most vulnerable to a second wave. What with the huge amount of deprivation, high density often overcrowded housing, busy public transport shared with unquarantined international arrivals. And commuters from across the UK. Poor people there are sitting ducks. Sadly a minority of very wealthy people make a lot of money out of London being open. Often at the expense of Londoners. These wealthy few don't themselves live in London or at least not full-time. They risk other people's lives from a safe distance.

Not seen anything like that here or where my family live. Did you really think that crooks, chavs and people who generally go through life flouting the rules were going to abide by these? And they are all drawn to places like Weston etc.

Judging by the overflowing bins and horrendous piles of litter everywhere in my local park this morning there were a lot of bigger groups yesterday.

ToffeeYoghurt my point is that locally it feels the lockdown has been lifted too soon. Day trippers will come if they're told it's fine to do so - but the consequences aren't great. Of course I have compassion for Londoners that have been ill, I didn't suggest otherwise.

I'm in the lake district and it was in parts packed. There's a field near me, next to the lake that was heaving- but the park (country not play) also right next to the lake was empty?!
Maybe everyone had the same idea we will go to the one that's always empty?

Every day this week the open public area near the river has been packed with cars, big picnics, children playing and mixing, then in the afternoon the teens move in, more cars, bbqs on the grass, crates of booze. (I’ve been out next morning dog walking with bin bags And gloves filling them with their rubbish)
I live in Barnard Castle.

Yes I think that’s right @Ooopsijustsnarted apparently on the north west one big beach was quieter and the smaller ones busier

I agree with you @legoqueen
It should've been safe to lift lockdown by now. But we failed to implement the same measures other countries did to lower risks. So it's too risky to ease lockdown yet. But, if as you say the r rate is currently higher where you are, then locals aren't at risk. It is they who are the risk...to any visitors. The visitors should stay away from more infected areas for their own sakes.

I don't believe it's anything to do with government advice, or lack of. It's to do with people being fuckwits.

Blimey did anyone see the pictures of Brighton beach. People are flocking to a place where the R rate is above 1, and don't have the basic sense to spread out.

This us my nearest park, just a 10 minute walk away, today. I'm in London. Not many people around at all!

I'm east Anglia & it's still very quiet here. A few groups of teenagers here & there but overall still an obvious lockdown.

@BatshitCrazyWoman

Maybe the absolute madness in Durdle going viral has shamed people into not being complete idiots today

It was busy in town today.
The shops are being very cautious, but there is a general feel of things being more relaxed.

London feels like a big Club 18 - 30 party to me. So many young people having gatherings on parks, in commons and in neighbours' gardens. I think I'd have done the same at their age giving all the mixed messaging and we will just have to see now what comes of it, prey that none are asymptomatic carriers and that those that live at home won't be taking it home to their elders or vulnerable relatives.

The Police have said they have no resources to break any of it up, the place does feel quite lawless and I suppose they are worried about rioting if they cracked down on all the impromtu bbqs, sound systems, weed smoking, outdoor defeacating etc...

I don't believe it's anything to do with government advice, or lack of. It's to do with people being fuckwits.

Yes some people are fuckwits, but the Government leadership is dreadful imo... very weak.

Definitely more people out and about here but everyone social distancing and being sensible from what I can see. More people in local park than recently but not as full as it would usually be in this weather and groups all sat separately.

Essentially, lockdown has eased and therefore there are more people out and about. As intended.