Has the govt confirmed that unlocking is going ahead on 29 March?

[FriedMacaroni]

Hello, I've got myself in a bit of a tizz and I hope someone can point me in the right direction.

When the roadmap was announced, it included the following:

• Each step to be assessed against four tests before restrictions ease, starting with the return of schools on 8 March
• PM is clear that the decision on each stage will be based on data not dates, and government will move cautiously to keep infection rates under control
• There will be a minimum of five weeks between each step: four weeks for the data to reflect changes in restrictions; followed by seven days’ notice of the restrictions to be eased.

Schools went back on 8 March (hurrah) and things seem to have been moving in the right direction since then - apart from the big rise in cases in Europe.

So I assumed that there would be a briefing on 22 March, to let us know whether or not we met the criteria to move to step 1b. However I haven't heard an announcement, and it is now 27 March. I haven't made any plans because I've been waiting on the announcement.

Could someone point me to an official confirmation that the unlocking is going ahead?

thanks

Zizzer :
"it's nervousness about change and fear of the unknown. That's an ordinary human response,"

No. I disagree. This is not the norm. It's not normal to have severe angst and anxiety re covid. Most rational posters don't. They weigh up, consider, rationalise, investigate from solid medical sources and then deal with this unpleasant covid situation, in a normal rational way.

Oh purlease. Stop twisting my words.
No ones suggesting "100% faith in our government". You too would be very silly if you did that!

@Oblomov21 I think a gp would not be surprised if you said ‘I feel anxious about lockdown lifting’. SO many people feel like that right now IME. A close friend said exactly this to me this week. I’m sure the real Oblomov of all people would have been more understanding of the difficulties of everyday life!

I guess we can only agree to disagree Oblimov. In a huge team meeting last week, lots of people said they were feeling nervous about everything changing again, for lots of different reasons (along with excitement too). I was genuinely surprised at the extroverted people saying it too, but they shared worries like losing social skills or being scared of someone coughing near them or just finding it hard to believe things could change.

Telling anyone who voices nerves that there's something wrong with them is just nonsense.

[quote mn81987]@Pootle40 I'm assuming you have a job where you get paid regardless? My business has been closed and need to get back to work to pay my mortgage! If you're not happy with the speed of the roadmap I suggest you stay at home and hide 🙄[/quote]
You've misread what I said. That was my point. I wish the roadmap was faster!

@Oblomov21

Fluffy, I completely disagree. No PM required. Suggesting a poster seeks medical advice from a GP is absolute bog standard response from most posters on most threads where anxiety is blatant.

Do you know what else isn't required? Are you 14? Or do you actually think adding a sarcastic emoji to your suggestion of 'urgent medical advice' is helpful?

You seem a little 'out of sorts' yourself. At the very least you seem to struggle with empathy and this is probably making life very tricky for you (and your loved ones)
May I suggest you urgently contact your gp?

Fox that wasn't what I said. Stop twisting my words to fit.

@FriedMacaroni I agree

Out of sorts? No.
I don't need to contact my GP thank you.

Sounds like you like dishing it out but don't like getting it back @Oblimov21

@Oblomov21

Out of sorts? No. I don't need to contact my GP thank you.

So sorry, did you not like a total stranger making a massive assumption about your mental health, based on a few lines you've written on Mumsnet?

Actually. Sorry. You are right. I will take a MN break.
Anxiety being painted as the norm on MN has really pissed me off recently.

I don't know why it gets my goat do much. But I find the fact that prior normalise it, annoying.

And I don't mean normal nervousness re the unpleasant covid situation. I mean extreme.

Op, if you’re struggling and feel overwhelmed at the the thought of shops and hairdressers opening on the 12th, as you say, then try to remember the government is not making any decisions about your “day to day” life. You retain personal choice. No one will force you to go to a shop, or get your hair done or go to the gym. You can remain in lock down for as long as you personally wish.

@Oblomov21 Bizarre behaviour. You are getting anxiety because others are anxious about a pandemic. I think it may be you projecting your own anxiety in others!

@Oblomov21

Overwhelming? Please make an appointment to see your GP about your chronic anxiety.

What a twatty comment.

As it stands I've made numerous GP appointments about my 'chronic anxiety' (pretty much monthly for the past 7 years).

Guess what... still anxious

@Oblomov21

Actually. Sorry. You are right. I will take a MN break. Anxiety being painted as the norm on MN has really pissed me off recently.

I don't know why it gets my goat do much. But I find the fact that prior normalise it, annoying.

And I don't mean normal nervousness re the unpleasant covid situation. I mean extreme.

But we are not living in normal times and it's no surprise that some are feeling more anxious. I have no idea if the op is so anxious that she needs help, nobody could possibly identify that from a few lines.

My issue with your original post, was the way it was written. You came across as condescending and unkind, nothing about it showed any concern for op. The emoji was the icing on the cake.

Yes, but then the April 12 measures are far less risky than schools returning. The May changes are more in doubt

OP, the best place to look for official information and guidance is the government website.
www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae#how-the-rules-will-change-on-29-march

As previous posters have said, this is part 1b of step one and so there was never any plan to review the data before this step. The first review of data should be 1 week before the planned date for step 2, on or around 5th April

Just want to say @Oblomov21 sorry for snapping - and being a bit sarky - am trying to train myself out of being nocturnal so being up at this time of the morning makes me cranky.

I still think the OP has a valid point, and what with all the "passport" stuff the media is stoking, which is difficult to ignore as it may impact all businesses down the line, I get a bit twitchy - like the squirrel in Ice Age....... highly unlikely, but if I'm strongly encouraged to have a facial recognition scanner at any point, I may just go off grid entirely

The idea that in such an unusual and prolonged situation, with so many personal and societal impacts, people will all be able to rationalise their way through it calmly is lovely, but unrealistic.

@Oblomov21 I’m very sorry you are feeling upset.

You might find it makes you feel better to think a bit around why others talking about their anxiety makes you feel angry.

I’m very anxious myself but do think that actually way more people are anxious than was ever discussed publicly when we were kids. Of my immediate friendship circle quite a number of us have had counselling and seen a psych in our lives. Isn’t it 1 in 4 that have an MH issue? So actually anxiety IS quite common and it’s actually good for us all to talk openly about that

If things are opening too fast for your liking OP, remember that you don't have to do them. You can continue as you were if you choose to, nobody is forcing you to go shopping, get a haircut, meet people or go to the pub.