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.

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

I'd be happy to stay 2m back from someone at a cash machine or a supermarket, and sit further away than tables are usually set out in a cafe or restaurant.

And presumably you're cool with paying 2-3 times the price you're used to every time you go to a restaurant or cafe?

That's bollocks. It's once again scaremongering bullshit.
People simply will not live under such restrictions for much longer. Large gathering will go ahead again maybe not in 2021 but they will again. Sports matches will happen with spectators again, concerts and festivals will happen.
We might see some restrictions on international travel for those without vaccinations but I doubt it will be almost impossible like it is now.
We have to learn to LIVE with this. Not hide from it!!!

@compulsiveliar2019

That's bollocks. It's once again scaremongering bullshit. People simply will not live under such restrictions for much longer. Large gathering will go ahead again maybe not in 2021 but they will again. Sports matches will happen with spectators again, concerts and festivals will happen. We might see some restrictions on international travel for those without vaccinations but I doubt it will be almost impossible like it is now. We have to learn to LIVE with this. Not hide from it!!!

They will have to live under the restrictions though won't they? I mean I want to fly to the States at Easter but I can't just say I won't accept that I can't and I'm going to go anyway, it's just not going to happen.

If they aren't allowed football spectators, if the local golf course is shut then they can't do those things like it or not. Unless you predict a riot? (thank you Kaiser Chiefs, great song)

@Hardbackwriter

I'd be happy to stay 2m back from someone at a cash machine or a supermarket, and sit further away than tables are usually set out in a cafe or restaurant.

And presumably you're cool with paying 2-3 times the price you're used to every time you go to a restaurant or cafe?

Actually, I just said that I would accept price increases, slightly further up thread, but after what you quoted.

If price increases are what it takes, and availability is shared round, maybe a more expensive, genuinely once in a while treat would be a good start for most people.

Some people pay over the odds for first class air travel or sole occupancy of holiday homes.

I think this doom mongering may end up being detrimental to the vaccine programme. Most people are having the vaccine so they can get some semblance of normal life back. If they are being told that despite the vaccine they won’t then why bother.

I genuinely don’t see why if vaccines stop serious illness and hospitalisations by 90% we will still need restrictions. Yes we will still have some infections but not at a volume to warrant locking up the rest of us.

@goodwinter

How emotionally detached do you have to be to suggest that physical distancing "costs nothing"? Unless in purely economic terms, but even then it costs entire industries.

This with bells on

Really feel for all the older teens/young adults right now. When I was their age I was snogging hot young men in sweaty nightclubs dancing my arse off all night or going to gigs and concerts. Imagine turning 18 last year, finally old enough to go out for a drink and you can't. Maybe we'll see a comeback of the illegal raves of the 80's out in farmers fields!

It might be a good start - you'd get people who'd want to do it after months of them being closed entirely - but it's not a remotely viable business long-term to charge £10 for a coffee. There's a reason that first-class is an option on the plane, not a default - the vast majority of people aren't able or just don't want to pay all that extra money for the extra space.

*Actually, I just said that I would accept price increases, slightly further up thread, but after what you quoted.

If price increases are what it takes, and availability is shared round, maybe a more expensive, genuinely once in a while treat would be a good start for most people.

Some people pay over the odds for first class air travel or sole occupancy of holiday homes.*

This is so out of touch with reality.

No @cabbagepots they won't have to live under them! At some point governments will listen to the will of the people or common sense and allow them. If they don't yes I would expect protests.
Your perfectly entitled to shut yourself in a little bubble if you like but the rest of us want life to move on!!!

I work in the wedding industry, that's pretty much the end of my career if true.

Oh no. I can't cope with these restrictions for years. My son can't social distance. What are we supposed to do?

I suppose it depends what large gatherings actually mean. There is a big difference between the Cheltenham Festival and 50 people at a wedding..

I am a really cautious person who's been shielding.

But I think we don't really know! It is all guesswork! Prof Bell from Oxford initially was hailing the vaccines as getting us back to a normal life.

It is great that we have the vaccines now and, even though the variants complicate things, there will be ways to work round that.

I am looking forward to the summer and I am sure we will work out ways to get around the problems in the next year or 2.

@boredwiththeoldname

This would be a catastrophe for the entire performing arts industry. Theatres literally cannot afford to open and put on performances if there are too few people in the audience.

We’ve been a few times to watch opera screenings live from the Met at local cinemas. Tickets were more than watching a film, but a lot less than actually going to the opera.

I can envisage a similar system for a lot of performing arts. A small socially distanced audience at the venue, and a larger audience paying a smaller amount to watch the live stream, either (socially distanced) in a cinema screen, or even cheaper at home.

I so totally disagree with the idea that there is no cost to social distancing. So many of my friends are professional musicians and they are economically broken already - if we can't go back to live concerts and theatre etc for years a huge part of our economy is buggered (the creative arts are the second biggest economic contributor after finance). Also a significant element of training for the arts will also be messed up as musicians and actors etc need to learn to perform and all the backstage technicians etc need to learn to do the job live.

If there is no end to restrictions, then really is no point an expensive vaccine programme is there?

I do think the telegraph and mail especially seem to make most of their money from doom mongering, probably for click bait.

But for me i worry about theatres, trips abroad, big sports events like the Olympics etc, which not only provide enjoyment for many, but income too.

I could imagine restrictions for the coming summer, but feel after this there needs to be an alternative plan...

@ancientgran

I suppose it depends what large gatherings actually mean. There is a big difference between the Cheltenham Festival and 50 people at a wedding..

Going racing is me, it's my hobby, I have a syndicate horse I can't even go and watch him run

@Starfish50

Very depressing But he's not an economist. How does he think businesses will survive? Yet another academic only thinking through his own lens.

It'd be cheaper to provide long term support for those affected than risk a never ending cycle of restrictions and lockdowns for entire economies.

If there is no end to restrictions, then really is no point an expensive vaccine programme is there

Exactly

@Oblomov21

"He says social distancing costs nothing "

That's not how I feel about it right now believe you me!

Precisely. I haven’t hugged anyone except DH and DS since February. I want to hug my daughter, my brother, my FIL, my friends.

I want my DS and DD to be able to meet people, maybe fall in love. If social distancing us to stay in place how will people form new relationships?

I’ve followed the rules TO THE LETTER but all with an expectation that things will return to normal...... i can’t carry on like this indefinitely, I MISS people.

@Beaniecats Going racing is me, it's my hobby, I have a syndicate horse I can't even go and watch him run Not all race meetings are like the Cheltenham Festival though, again it will vary and maybe we can't have the Cheltenham Festival but you can go to a smaller race meeting. Cheltenham is huge and lots of travelling (lots coming from Ireland for example) and lots of socialising and alcohol.

There is talk about a booster vaccine being needed in the Autumn. I wonder if more restrictions will be lifted in the summer, but some reintroduced in the Autumn/Winter, possibly large gatherings/international travel.

Once all countries get a good vaccination programme in place then I assume COVID will be treated in the same way as flu, so this year may still be restricted in some ways, but hopefully next year will be more normal.

Why have you started this thread? Just to spread fear?