Anyone in the North East?

[PennyDreadfuI]

Gateshead has just been added to the govt watchlist and Newcastle is on amber alert. Sunderland have had over 200 cases in the past seven days.

Are we next for a local lockdown? What do you think it will entail? Given Newcastle's reputation as a party city I'm guessing restricted hours for bars maybe - they were packed to the rafters over the August bank holiday weekend, which may account for lots of the new cases.

So -

No socialising with anyone not in your household

10pm curfew for pubs, restaurants etc

Nothing about public transport so far.

As clear as mud as usual.

As that it? Bit vague (unsurprisingly)

Thanks for your link, @littleowl1. I've just signed up too.

@SabrinaTheTeenageBitch

As that it? Bit vague (unsurprisingly)

Innit.

Wonder what this means for gyms, exercise studios etc - can they continue if socially distanced?

"From tomorrow"....

It’s unclear isn’t it - what about things like estate agents etc

Matt Hancock, a man who famously got a semi on from standing in the general vicinity of a woman, reckons all the knackers up here who are already flouting the rules are going to take notice of that vague nonsense. Okay

A whole regions fate summed up in about 3 minutes

When will actually guidance be published?

I’m in County Durham but a Sunderland postcode. My poor Mam has just text me “see you next year”

@thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter exactly. Disgraceful

Everyone on facebook seems to think they can still meet friends and family as long as they're in a pub/restaurant?

It's absolutely pathetic! And disgusting that they haven't referenced it further to make it clearer what the restrictions actually mean!

@HarrietOh

Everyone on facebook seems to think they can still meet friends and family as long as they're in a pub/restaurant?

I was out shopping this morning and overheard someone saying something similar about if they can't meet at home then they'll just go to a pub and meet. This hasn't actually been confirmed or denied though I don't think...

I’m so confused! Not a northerner but have family up in the north east. BIL and his GF were due to come down tomorrow for the weekend to visit, (I’m in the South East) presumably this is not allowed now? MIL was due to come down in a couple of weeks too and while we are in her bubble, she does see both BILs and their families. Unless she chooses to have us as her only household for her bubble in order to come down? DH was going to go up and see a friend for a weekend, I assume this is all a no go now?

What a waste of time Matt Hancock’s speech was! 2 minutes dedicated to an announcement that will completely change people’s lives for the foreseeable future. What about the details? What about childcare? What about everything?

i just can't believe that the government still believes whispers on twitter late at night (usually on a wednesday) followed by continued uncertainty the following day - and actual new rules not becoming apparent until a couple of days later - is still the right way to communicate things.

@HarrietOh

Everyone on facebook seems to think they can still meet friends and family as long as they're in a pub/restaurant?

That's the rule in Birmingham, but who knows if it will be the same up here.

I work in one of the areas but live outside, hopefully better guidance will be issued soon.

My DP is a supervisor and has already had an onslaught of from staff saying they can't come to work tomorrow because grandparents provide childcare. I hope they clarify this asap

What is the point of giving an announcement if they aren't ready to follow it up immediately with details/q&a's? DH friend has just text and seems to think they can meet for an early dinner but to me that would be a mixing of households and be a no?

He spent more time gathering on about 'fighting with every sinew' than just what the rules are. We're northern, we like plain speaking!

The time lag between the announcement and the detailed guidance going up on the website really frustrates me. Yes, I want the guidance to be clear and correctly written, but surely it doesn't take a day to proof read?

They’ve not even updated the gov.uk website yet with our areas. Complete vagueness, my business means I meet people outdoors... suppose I just decide for myself if I can or can’t

It feels clear that they are 'experimenting' in each of the local lockdown areas to try and work out which measures have the most effect. So while Birmingham and Manchester allowed restaurant and pubs in mixed household groups, there's no guarantees that they'll do that in the North East.

What about childcare? I do alternative school pick ups with one of my DS friends from his class, his mum does other days so we can both work.
But surely that's safer than sending him to childminder with children not in his school bubble?