A potential social lockdown?

[Concerned7777]

I've seen some articles in my local paper suggesting the government may implement a social lockdown in the North and London for 2 weeks maybe longer. A total closure of all hospitality and leisure facilities. Schools factories and other workplaces to remain open if unable to work from home along with a total ban on households mixing.
My opinion is this preferable to a total lockdown but will it be enough? It was suggested for 2 weeks with the possibility of being longer but surely 2 weeks isnt long enough to create a massive drop in transmission would we end up socially locked down for the foreseeable and will people abide long term not to mix households?

@Yetiyoga

I'm not sure how well it would go down with people living in those areas when the 'south' still get to do as they please (with social distancing) and I say this as someone who doesn't live in those areas. I kind of feel like should we all be in this together. But then again, that could seriously damage hospitality even more if everywhere is shut. Argh. I don't know. It is such a mess. I don't know what the right thing is to do :(

No, we have no need for a lockdown here yet. Every social distancing and behaving I. Public nicely, high compliance with mask wearing in the town centre. Very low cases all summer even though we are a large town. I’ll take a local lockdown when it’s needed but not before.

@Bibidy

ANY activity that involves close contact with people, or increased contact, is going to increase risk. That's all there is to it.

Completely agree. Cases rising was the inevitable result of opening things back up - not sure why the government is reacting as if they thought it had gone away but we've all been naughty and caused it to return.

I am not sure people will adhere to another ban on households mixing. I'd say that's the most important thing people want to keep but obviously the government would sacrifice it as they want to keep businesses open, which is understandable.

Personally I think the only thing that will help is widespread mass testing. They know the virus is very often asymptomatic/presents different symptoms not always including the prime 3, so track and trace efforts only for those who have taken themselves for a test due to symptoms won't really work.

This ban on households mixing is the crux of ‘local lockdowns’ and ultimately is the thing people ignore. I don’t want to go for dinner or to the cinema. I want to see my family. My family all live out of are and can meet up happily in their homes (up to 6). I can’t do that and it’s severely affecting my MH and ability to cope. We have two very small kids and no support is allowed. It’s hard to meet outside for any extended period as it’s getting colder and the baby inevitably needs feeding or changing and it isn’t practical. So people break the rules (I haven’t as family are too far but tempted to go visit!) to protect themselves and their family. And if people are going to work, going out for dinner and seeing family then it’s the same as an unrestricted area so when cases are high they just go up and up. I don’t know what the solution is.

What's the point when the most cases are coming from schools and colleges?

@Popcornriver

What's the point when the most cases are coming from schools and colleges?

Presumably they have to say they have closed down other things first that aren't essential except of course the many who rely on hospitality and leisure for their income before they close down education settings again