Social distancing from friends and family 'COULD end on 17 May'

[wheresmymojo]

The Times is reporting that the impact of the vaccinations is going so well that the Govt COULD end social distancing between friends and family on the 17th May.

I feel like they wouldn't write this unless they felt fairly sure of their sources and it being reasonably concrete but I'm afraid to get my hopes up too much!

That being said for those still following the rules who is first on your hug list?

I know PILs are top of ours as they're just down the road and they've both had their two vaccinations now...am pretty sure we'll all have a sob!

It doesn’t matter so much if cases go up a bit though now that most of the vulnerable are vaccinated. Hospitalisations and deaths should stay low. People will also be able to carry on social distancing if they want to.

It matters to me whether I catch covid or not. Even more so when it's so close to finally getting vaccinated. And we are constantly being told people in their 40s in particular are at an increased risk still.

I can carry on social distancing to some degree yes, but there are situations where I can't. Had to take public transport this week and there were so many people with masks around their necks and not keeping their distance at all, clearly not caring about others one bit.

Tbh most people I know are already not doing this. I know multiple people who have been for overnight stays with extended family and friends in the past week.

It is in the original road map, and was always at the 'no move before 17 May' date

Here are the changes which are set of 17 May, and all The Times article is telling us is that we are set fair for them to happen, and what the advice on hugging (which was a possible but not definite part of this step) is looking likely too.

Social contact
As part of Step 3, no earlier than 17 May, the government will look to continue easing limits on seeing friends and family wherever possible, allowing people to decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances

This means that most legal restrictions on meeting others outdoors will be lifted - although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal. Indoors, the Rule of 6 or 2 households will apply - we will keep under review whether it is safe to increase this

As soon as possible and by no later than Step 3, we will also update the advice on social distancing between friends and family, including hugging. But until this point, people should continue to keep their distance from anyone not in their household or support bubble

Business and activities
Most businesses in all but the highest risk sectors will be able to reopen. In all sectors, COVID-Secure guidance will remain in place and businesses may not cater for groups bigger than the legal limits. Indoor hospitality will reopen - and as in Step 2, venues will not have to serve a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks; nor will there be a curfew. Customers will, however, have to order, eat and drink while seated

Other indoor locations to open up in Step 3 include indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas; the rest of the accommodation sector, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs; and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes. The government will also allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number). In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower)

Events
Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals. This limit will also apply to other types of significant life events including bar mitzvahs and christenings

Review of social distancing
Finally, before Step 4 begins, the government will complete a review of social distancing and other long-term measures that have been put in place to cut transmission. This will inform decisions on the timing and circumstances under which the rules on 1 metre plus, the wearing of face coverings and other measures may be lifted. This will also inform guidance on working from home – which should continue wherever possible until this review is complete

@motherrunner

Who is still socially distancing? I’m a teacher and I haven’t seen SD for ages. I’ve been hugging my friends when I see them.

And yet my child has to wear a mask for 6 hours a day to protect you. Unbelievable.

@motherrunner

Who is still socially distancing? I’m a teacher and I haven’t seen SD for ages. I’ve been hugging my friends when I see them.

Yup. I can't believe there are still people waiting for the government to tell them it's ok to hug their mum.

Who is actually waiting for the government to say they can hug? If you both want to hug then hug, if one is still worried then an arbitrary date isn't going to change anything .

I also wear a mask from the moment I enter school to when I leave - not sure of your point.

I’m pretty sure if I caught Covid it would be from the prolonged close contact I have in an unventilated classroom, not a quick hug hello/goodbye meeting my friends in their gardens.

I've been avaliable for hugs for a long time with willing participants. I've respected those who are more cautious, but it is beyond the government's remit to control two people willing to touch eachother. (It's never been a point of law anyway)

I wasn't seeing others when rates were high anyway.

I've been avaliable for hugs for a long time with willing participants

This sentence made me properly smile. I love it

@motherrunner

I also wear a mask from the moment I enter school to when I leave - not sure of your point.

I’m pretty sure if I caught Covid it would be from the prolonged close contact I have in an unventilated classroom, not a quick hug hello/goodbye meeting my friends in their gardens.

My point is that my kids are socially distancing, that they have to wear a mask all day - for your benefit. Yet you're happy to be hugging people. You genuinely don't care about the kids. Why are you putting them at risk by not social distancing?

Pupils aren’t socially distancing, they aren’t expected to as long as they’re in the year group ‘bubble’. They sit shoulder to shoulder in class, the back of students press against the desks of other pupils; corridors are packed. I am interested to know how your children can socially distance in school - are they 2m from everyone all the time?

You are very wrong to say I don’t ‘genuinely care’.

I feel like they wouldn't write this unless they felt fairly sure of their sources

Which alternate universe do YOU live in??

It's standard practice now for all the newspapers to simply invent stories. They publish what they think will get people to buy the paper - whether or not it's true is irrelevant to their profit margins.

I’m not a hugger but is anyone paying any attention to what this lot of bent bastards are telling us what we can and can’t fo any more?

My point is that my kids are socially distancing, that they have to wear a mask all day - for your benefit. Yet you're happy to be hugging people. You genuinely don't care about the kids. Why are you putting them at risk by not social distancing?

If you think your kids are socially distancing in school you are deluded.

The masks are not just to protect the teachers. It’s to stop kids passing it to each other presumably

Teachers are actually allowed to prioritise their own well-being and happiness over your precious offspring.

@RedcurrantPuff Thank you for so consistent stating how I feel.

*concisely

I do not need the government to tell me when I can hug people. It's actually quite disturbing that people accept the government deciding for them what they can and can't do in their own homes.

@RedcurrantPuff

My point is that my kids are socially distancing, that they have to wear a mask all day - for your benefit. Yet you're happy to be hugging people. You genuinely don't care about the kids. Why are you putting them at risk by not social distancing?

If you think your kids are socially distancing in school you are deluded.

The masks are not just to protect the teachers. It’s to stop kids passing it to each other presumably

Teachers are actually allowed to prioritise their own well-being and happiness over your precious offspring.

So is it ok for my "offspring" as you insulting put it to put their well-being and happiness first and NOT wear the mask? Nope. Didn't think so

My offspring wear a mask too @palacegirl77. I don’t like it but it is what it is and better than schools being shut.

@motherrunner

Pupils aren’t socially distancing, they aren’t expected to as long as they’re in the year group ‘bubble’. They sit shoulder to shoulder in class, the back of students press against the desks of other pupils; corridors are packed. I am interested to know how your children can socially distance in school - are they 2m from everyone all the time?

You are very wrong to say I don’t ‘genuinely care’.

I didn't say in the classroom. I'm talking about with their friends - not one sleepover in over a year, not in each others houses. There are other mitigations in school too as you say, bubbles, ventilation,LFTs, isolation etc. My point was that it's disappointing that my kids life is turned upside down, stuck in masks to protect you but you're happily socialising and hugging whoever you want. One rule for them, another for you.

@RedcurrantPuff

My offspring wear a mask too *@palacegirl77*. I don’t like it but it is what it is and better than schools being shut.

I agree. However we should all e doing what we can to keep schools open and rates down. Including the teacher.

17th May was step 3? 6 indoors or two households plus existing bubble arrangements continue. Hugging was never outlawed and I've never stopped hugging those that want and need touch.

RedcurrantPuff
“My offspring wear a mask too @palacegirl77. I don’t like it but it is what it is and better than schools being shut.”

Redcurrantpuff, my opinions sometimes diverge from yours. Our youngest offspring, in Sixth Form College, has asthma. At the beginning, we were told it was a major risk, it was later downgraded as his asthma is controlled. He stayed at home for a year and worked, sometimes with, sometimes without, online support to protect his CEV dad, who had his second jab today, thank providence.

He returned to College 3 weeks after dad had his first jab because we felt that was a balanced compromise and he had missed so much already.
It’s thanks to people like you, who don’t necessarily agree with the need for mask wearing by their own kids but support it nonetheless, that give people like us the confidence to send ours back in after the most difficult year.

So, thank you 💐

@DenisetheMenace

RedcurrantPuff “My offspring wear a mask too *@palacegirl77*. I don’t like it but it is what it is and better than schools being shut.”

Redcurrantpuff, my opinions sometimes diverge from yours. Our youngest offspring, in Sixth Form College, has asthma. At the beginning, we were told it was a major risk, it was later downgraded as his asthma is controlled. He stayed at home for a year and worked, sometimes with, sometimes without, online support to protect his CEV dad, who had his second jab today, thank providence.

He returned to College 3 weeks after dad had his first jab because we felt that was a balanced compromise and he had missed so much already.
It’s thanks to people like you, who don’t necessarily agree with the need for mask wearing by their own kids but support it nonetheless, that give people like us the confidence to send ours back in after the most difficult year.

So, thank you 💐

So would you feel to know your child's teacher was hugging all and sundry and not sticking to social distancing?

I find it amazing so many people HAVEN't hugged before now.

Right now I have 9 people in my house. Only 5 are my family. No way is the government going to know 🤷‍♀️