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

403 replies

vera99 · 07/02/2021 14:11

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/

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 07/02/2021 15:35

Years no i dont think so-everyone will be vaccinated getting boosters there'll be no need to restrict that much

i do think this year is out though i dont understand artists arranging tours i know its their livelihood but it just isnt going to happen this year and why im not even considering buying tickets

MaxNormal · 07/02/2021 15:36

it’s just a want

Wants are what makes life worth living. It's okay to have wants.

CoronaIsWatching · 07/02/2021 15:36

The virus is here to stay. Much like flu, we have to accept a level of mortality and get on with life

Agreed

Quartz2208 · 07/02/2021 15:37

What did he actually say in context though because it seems to be

"can't see us suddenly having another Cheltenham Festival with no regulations again"

Well no of course we are not suddenly going to do that - have a large gathering with no regulations suddenly. He doesnt say a few years here for things like this (and as PP have said places are doing this at the moment)

Then he mentioned large weddings with people gathering from different countries - that will take longer international travel i going to be more difficult.

Positively though he did say

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.

VickyEadieofThigh · 07/02/2021 15:38

@ilikegrapes21

What's the point of vaccines if we are going to still live under restrictions for years? Together with the news from Imperial and Warwick on projected deaths (something like 130,000 by June 2022) if we relax restrictions it does make me wonder why we are bothering with vaccines. Why not just keep everything shut, keep us all indoors and give everyone a decent universal income for the next few years and be done with it. I've lost all hope now.
To stop lots of people dying.
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/02/2021 15:39

He is an expert. Having differing opinions from others doesn't negate expertise.

cabbagepots · 07/02/2021 15:39

@Lelophants

Yes I think this is realistic. I feel sorry for all those wanting a wedding. Unless we get rapid proven testing before each event?
They can still have a wedding, they just don't have a huge wedding with all the bells and whistles. I know a few couples who say they are not getting married until they can have a big wedding with hundreds of guests. I would question what is important, the huge wedding or the act of getting married.
StealthPolarBear · 07/02/2021 15:40

How many deaths are acceptable? Or will you stay locked up until there are zero deaths from anything?

MaxNormal · 07/02/2021 15:40

To stop lots of people dying.

At some point the cost of stopping people dying specifically of covid will be too high.

StealthPolarBear · 07/02/2021 15:40

Maybe what's important is celebrating your commitment with family and friends

Wondergirl100 · 07/02/2021 15:41

The worst part of what he says is that 'physical distancing doesn't cost anything'

That shows how deluded these people are. They literally see humans as sets of data - physical distancing comes at an enormous cost!

MaxNormal · 07/02/2021 15:42

physical distancing comes at an enormous cost!

Indeed - financial and physical. It closes whole industries and hamstrings others.

Beaniecats · 07/02/2021 15:44

It's over for me
Sick of this shit life with no end in sight

NiceGerbil · 07/02/2021 15:44

Bye bye the whole festival industry, theatres, clubs, pubs that have gigs as a big part of their income, maybe pubs full stop.

No thanks.

' 15:31StealthPolarBear

"A wedding is about the exchange of vows, it doesn’t need a big party, it’s just a want. Maybe more focus on the commitment and less on the big day will lead to less couples splitting etc."

You're including Hindu weddings in this I assume? Or are you just casually dismissing other religions/ cultures massively important traditions as 'wants'?

NiceGerbil · 07/02/2021 15:45

Oops didn't mean to copy the stealthpolarbear name!

StarCat2020 · 07/02/2021 15:46

There’s one article quoting someone saying one thing then another saying the opposite. I’m just reading in the Telegraph how we’ll all be going on holiday abroad from May onwards!
Instead of being news, it is all opinions and spin.

cabbagepots · 07/02/2021 15:47

@StealthPolarBear

Maybe what's important is celebrating your commitment with family and friends
Is that more important than being married?
NiceGerbil · 07/02/2021 15:48

God what a depressing view of life.

Hettia · 07/02/2021 15:48

That is very depressing. I expect the mental health of the nation will be entirely screwed by then. It's already heading that way.

PurpleRainDancer · 07/02/2021 15:49

@vera99

My small thin gipsy wedding - I don't thinks so !
Genius Grin
StealthPolarBear · 07/02/2021 15:50

Cabbage yes having family and friends was very high on my list of what I wanted for the day. More important than being married, not sure, it depends in what context.
If life isn't about family and friends, what is it about?

megletthesecond · 07/02/2021 15:51

I'm not surprised by this. We have to take things incredibly slowly to prevent more last minute lockdowns.

FWIW I would hope a longer school break next Dec-Jan is being pencilled in if cases rise. Let's not repeat this winter. I'd just like it to be safe for my dc's to go to school most of the time and do extra curricular classes.
Disclaimer, never go abroad, never go to festivals, no big family get togethers. Our max get together is 7 people.

StealthPolarBear · 07/02/2021 15:51

And I don't mean the party. We only had seventy at our wedding but they were people who meant a lot to us.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 07/02/2021 15:52

@Wondergirl100

The worst part of what he says is that 'physical distancing doesn't cost anything'

That shows how deluded these people are. They literally see humans as sets of data - physical distancing comes at an enormous cost!

This.
ineedaholidaynow · 07/02/2021 15:52

I'm assuming the countries that are having large gatherings are only having people from that country, surely this maybe where some of these restrictions will be in place for a few years.

There was another headline in the news the other day saying more deaths from climate change than COVID. Maybe some COVID restrictions for travel will have a positive impact on the climate. Maybe people need to think about traipsing half way across the world for a party.