Restrictions on large gatherings likely to be in place 'for next few years'

[vera99]

Gulp. This is pretty bleak if true.

Experts have warned that restrictions on large gatherings could remain in place for "the next few years" as the world learns to live with the coronavirus.

Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London, told Times Radio that he "can't see us suddenly having another Cheltenham Festival with no regulations again".

"I can't see us having massive weddings with people coming from all over the world, I think for the next few years those days are gone," he added.

Prof Spector also suggested that basic infection control measures - including physical distancing, face masks and handwashing - should remain in place as they "don't cost really anything to do".

"I think we need to get used to that and that will allow us to do the things we really want to do more easily and more readily," he said.

On a more positive note Prof Spector, who created the Zoe Covid Symptom Study, said the infection survey indicates that coronavirus rates are "generally much lower everywhere" in the country, with around one in 170 people infected on average.

He suggested that reinstating the rule of six allowing people to meet outdoors should be "definitely encouraged" around the same time as primary schools begin to return.

Follow the latest updates below.

www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/coronavirus-news-uk-covid-vaccine-lockdown-end-latest-cases/

I don't think there's any chance of the government banning people watching football matches considering the big money involved. They won't ban it here and allow other EU countries like Spain, Italy and Germany to flourish instead.
They also wouldn't want Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland being the only UK countries hosting major music gigs and conferences.
London had the Olympics in 2012 but there's lots of other events that I suspect they will bid for.

Has a decision been made on the Tokyo Olympics?

@PokemonTrainerRed

Has a decision been made on the Tokyo Olympics?

Japanese government official line is Olympics are still going ahead, possibly with no spectators. Latest details are all competitors get tested every 4 days and are in and out for their events only.

A mayor in florida has offered to organise an emergency bid to hold them there if japan changes its mind.

Anyone just see the close up of the crowd?

It's mostly cardboard cutouts!

They could buy a ticket send in a pic to be a cutout in the crowd. And get a ticket to the next real one!

That's really creative. I'm impressed tbh.

We need theatre back though. Maybe the lateral flow tests can save it ? Plus vaccine status proof? I've got a rolling programme of tickets, as one gets cancelled I book another !!

Some of that is realistic. Eg many countries use masks when they feel poorly and a whiff of a flu outbreak and out whips the masks.

I've had issues with a cursory squirt of foam on the hands of the kids at school before lunch, on top of the encrusted mud, for years. (And I'm not a huge clean freak and yes viruses are important for immunity. But not the level we've had at times pre Covid.) we've had so many outbreaks of other illnesses in school over the last few years which nearly closed ten school due to staff absences, yes I want that to continue.

I think it's likely that there may very well be some restrictions until they've really got a handle on the vaccine cycle and new variants.

It's shit but I'd rather find he's wrong than find this surprising.

@tootyfruitypickle

We need theatre back though. Maybe the lateral flow tests can save it ? Plus vaccine status proof? I've got a rolling programme of tickets, as one gets cancelled I book another !!

My area were going to use LFT for things like that before the new variant hit.

I feel very hopeful that once mst adults are vaccinated we will get back to some sort of normal. Why wouldn't we?
Yes people will still get ill and will sadly die, but that does happen. We cannot eliminate all risk. We can just work to ensure the NHS can cope. I too am sick of the continually shifting goalposts.

Experts have warned that restrictions on large gatherings could remain in place for "the next few years" as the world learns to live with the coronavirus....

I think whoever used the words "live with the virus" does not actually understand what they are supposed to mean.

My definition of "living" includes things like being able to hold a big wedding or attend a large music event.

Cheltenham (and other race meetings) are no big loss as far as I'm concerned. I can well do without having to deal with large crowds of drunks at work.

@WarriorN

Some of that is realistic. Eg many countries use masks when they feel poorly and a whiff of a flu outbreak and out whips the masks.

I've had issues with a cursory squirt of foam on the hands of the kids at school before lunch, on top of the encrusted mud, for years. (And I'm not a huge clean freak and yes viruses are important for immunity. But not the level we've had at times pre Covid.) we've had so many outbreaks of other illnesses in school over the last few years which nearly closed ten school due to staff absences, yes I want that to continue.

I think it's likely that there may very well be some restrictions until they've really got a handle on the vaccine cycle and new variants.

It's shit but I'd rather find he's wrong than find this surprising.

Agree. Since 9/11 there have been 'restrictions' on cabin luggage on planes. We all still fly.

I think people are jumping to the conclusion that 'restriction' = lockdown forever.

@DdraigGoch

Cheltenham (and other race meetings) are no big loss as far as I'm concerned. I can well do without having to deal with large crowds of drunks at work.

It is devastating to me and many, many others

@Pissedoff1234

If all adults are vaccinated by the autumn then what would be the reason to not open up everything? I don't get it. Of course people will still catch it but the vaccine works on preventing serious disease and death so most will just get ill or not even get symptoms. Even if it does kill some people, so do lots of other things that we don't shut up for.

Those who don't want to be vaccinated won't care about the risk and those who can't be vaccinated can choose not to attend.

International travel will have to wait til the world catches up.

It won't work like this unfortunately. If enough people don't want to be vaccinated there will still be too great a risk to those who are vulnerable, either because they can't have the vaccine, or because the vaccine is not 100% effective. So even people who do have it can't be guaranteed not to catch it from an unvaccinated person and become ill, take up a bed etc. This won't be hugely problematic for the NHS provided the incidences are small enough. So the only way out is for very high numbers to have the vaccine, vulnerable or not.

Sorry, my point being, that given the vaccine isn't mandatory and there is no way of knowing take up rates (which are expected to be lower amongst younger groups who are at less risk from covid) its really hard to guarantee a time when restrictions can be lifted.

@DdraigGoch

Cheltenham (and other race meetings) are no big loss as far as I'm concerned. I can well do without having to deal with large crowds of drunks at work.

It’s not just about Cheltenham is it though. Less racing has a knock on effect on a massive economy and employer. No more racing = fewer horses, redundant jockeys, fewer farriers needed, fewer vets and physios, not as much hay and straw required so farmers miss out as well etc etc It’s not just as simple as cancel Cheltenham

@DdraigGoch

Cheltenham (and other race meetings) are no big loss as far as I'm concerned. I can well do without having to deal with large crowds of drunks at work.

Well as long as you’re alright eh?

The lack of knowledge as to how the NHS, police, fire, central government, local government, dentists, doctors, street cleaning etc are funded is incredible. Stop Cheltenham and the ongoing implications are huge. 1000s of jockeys, owners etc etc out of work and not paying tax and national insurance and business rates.

It’s not just those directly employed by racing that is affected by the cancellation of the major events (though I hasten to point out that currently all race meetings are going ahead as normal with very strict protocols in place for participants). Every racecourse feeds into it’s local economy - hotels, restaurants, bars, taxis, etc. They all suffer too.

While in know the focus of this thread is not simply Cheltenham and racing in general, it’s all too easy to say racing has minority appeal or is only for rich people, but it is a massive industry for the UK. We are world leaders as far as racing and breeding Thoroughbreds go and the last economic impact study in 2013 estimated racing worth £3.4 billion to the UK economy. These are not small industries that we are talking about.

@5128gap

Sorry, my point being, that given the vaccine isn't mandatory and there is no way of knowing take up rates (which are expected to be lower amongst younger groups who are at less risk from covid) its really hard to guarantee a time when restrictions can be lifted.

So really there is no need to be making assumptions now then. There could be really good take up by younger people for all we know. Or the transmission may be massively curtailed and less people will need to be vaccinated than first thought.

All this type of doom and gloom reporting does is make people think that the vaccine is pointless.

Other countires are already back to normal and COVID free without vaccines. How did we get it so wrong?

New Zealand and most of Asia have already started holding their big music festivals.

They arent back to normal they have very strict quarantine rules and closed borders. And they do have the odd cluster.

THey have handled it back no doubt but they do have restrictions in place and are not COVID free. They wont be able to open borders either until vaccination due to the fact that the world isnt COVID free.

This is also a global approach

Don't care - crowds make me uneasy any way - we can all survive very easily without going to watch big events live - not really a massive issue compared to what we are still going through

@LoveLifeBeHappy

Other countires are already back to normal and COVID free without vaccines. How did we get it so wrong?

New Zealand and most of Asia have already started holding their big music festivals.

NZ etc aren't "back to normal". They have strict travel restrictions, border controls, quarantine, etc.

DD postponed wedding from April'20 til October and we just squeezed it in with immediate family before the lockdown - parents and siblings, no grandparents. We had been unable to rebook the hall or the caterers anyway: the caterers told us last July that they were fully booked for 2021 so there will be a lot of disappointment and lost revenue there too. I have no idea whether they will ever have the reception they had hoped for - but they have just got on with their lives and there doesn't seem to be much point in planning a big bash for 2022 really! I'm sad for them, and sad too for my son who hasn't had the graduation cermony which is such a rite of passage but the suffering puts everything into perspective. We would never jeopardise our health for a party

😞😞😞😞😞😞

The last thing I wanted to hear today.

Let's just get out of lockdown though, at least.