Is there another lockdown now or not?

[Overthebow]

BBC is showing new guidance for Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.

Is this supposed to be another lockdown? I’m confused.

‘But ministers have been accused of “incompetence” after health bosses and residents in the affected areas said they weren't made aware of the changes.’

uk.news.yahoo.com/confusion-government-covid-advice-eight-indian-variant-hotspots-090348112.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALTraloCOCvD5KKcPyaURgsU6rP1yF_Q9fbxNXsbVEG4-5P8ai5QjYXD2GYsRyZUdome4LMqscHLjAewv5ZiWqhf_0HDPKrwbNPrZhIt3buzD_g3jqGtze7u50bjVkw9jVq5VVKKLtFSC0-5j8lqSN8_Fyy9y3mqdYTyL_yWSC2T

Same @tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz

I went on public transport and into the city for the fist time in over a year on Saturday. I am livid. Utterly livid.

Having checked the data, we have more cases in our small area than the part of Tynemouth we're due to visit.
Interesting to note that the Government isn't offering support to businesses (e.g. indoor dining) since they are legally able to operate in the same way as the rest of the country.

I really don't get the surge testing ? Is it only for people that haven't had their jabs ? Surely if you decline the jab then you're not going to take up surge testing.

I know obviously some people aren't old enough to be jabbed yet, but I'm assuming that it the areas with surges pockets of people with low jab uptake. My area is a surge area and whilst over all we have done a lot of jabs, I imagine a certain groups of the community who's first language isn't English may not have had theirs due to just not being able to access the info.

If it’s legal I’m doing it
I have really had enough of this, we have had local lockdown after local lockdown which make no sense on paper as I could travel 20 miles in 1 direction but not 2 in another.
Until the govt bans me from going out etc I am doing it

Yes I understand no info from councils as they and local MP’s weren’t informed - why not? Utter madness. I’m in same boat tellmewhen going to Blackburn for second dose later this week. I’m in none affected area but it’s my nearest centre. I’m going.
Feel so sorry for businesses too. DD’s dance school isn’t in resticted area but majority of class from Burnley so guidance is for them not to attend so I suspect we’ll get an email later saying they are closing again.

What a shambles. DD in a village near Bedford and no one knows what is going on.

There is no need for anyone to follow the guidance though. it is not the law.

Local lockdowns by the back door so they can blame the public if things go tits up again. What a disgrace.

@Xenia

There is no need for anyone to follow the guidance though. it is not the law.

Leicester City Council is saying this apparently!

What a mess.

Either it needs doing or it doesn't.

@hopingtochangeeachtime

I really don't get the surge testing ? Is it only for people that haven't had their jabs ? Surely if you decline the jab then you're not going to take up surge testing.

I know obviously some people aren't old enough to be jabbed yet, but I'm assuming that it the areas with surges pockets of people with low jab uptake. My area is a surge area and whilst over all we have done a lot of jabs, I imagine a certain groups of the community who's first language isn't English may not have had theirs due to just not being able to access the info.

Surge testing is for everyone, as vaccinated and unvaccinated can contract covid and therefore transmit - there is only 33% efficacy for those who have had the first jab according to recent figures.

Also some people have not had the jab for reasons such as allergies or other health conditions - they would be keen to text I would think as unfortunately left at risk.

It is what I wanted since March 2020 - it is freedom and free choice - that you as an individual choose. It think its marvellous. It is what I have wanted for over a year and is very wise. it the only way many of us have been saying since March 2020 that the planet can live with this disease in an acceptable way without breaching human rights.

@Xenia

There is no need for anyone to follow the guidance though. it is not the law.

Indeed. Guidance is guidance. Legislation is law. This is nonsense.

@Xenia

It is what I wanted since March 2020 - it is freedom and free choice - that you as an individual choose. It think its marvellous. It is what I have wanted for over a year and is very wise. it the only way many of us have been saying since March 2020 that the planet can live with this disease in an acceptable way without breaching human rights.

Would be nice to have two parrallel universes to test this out as I think whilst it sounds a lovely idea, you'll rapidly have a total shitshow on your hands health-wise.

I'm in greater manchester, not bolton but near enough. i have followed the rules since last March, we had three weeks without restrictions and if Bojo thinks i'm doing this again he can forget it. i have had both vaccinations, wear my mask, sanitize my hands and stay away as much as i can from other people. I have not been to the pub, out for a meal or been shopping except for food. There is nothing else i can do but i will not give up my family again.

The government are hypocrites! If I follow the guidance I can't go and see my aging and ailing parents at half term in their garden, but it's ok apparently for me to go and mix daily with hordes of children and adults at work in another local authority area, with no masks, social distancing or ventilation.

I have followed the guidance to the letter so far but what's the point if the government are going to let in new variants anyway? I did my part and the government didn't do theirs.

Hopefully the fact that cases are not causing serious ill health or death will result in this going away soon. I think this is why it's all softly softly but the govt don't want to admit they are not actually that concerned about the Indian variant.

@Xenia how does that work then? People carrying the virus around infecting other people, what freedom of choice do those people who get ill have?

How long have infections being rising to a worrying level?

If I follow the guidance I can't go and see my aging and ailing parents at half term in their garden, but it's ok apparently for me to go and mix daily with hordes of children and adults at work in another local authority area, with no masks, social distancing or ventilation

That's not the thinking at all. I assume that your mixing with 'hordes of children and adults' is because you're a teacher or similar, so there is a purpose and benefit to this mixing. If you don't go to work as a teacher, well we all know the fall out from that one.

Whereas there are no consequences from you not seeing your parents, so it can be avoided (of course if they are vulnerable so need help shopping, that is allowed) but you're not supposed to have close contact with them, so you can't transmit the virus. Over a population that significantly reduces the number of interactions so reduces the spread of the virus I can't believe that people still don't get this.

And sadly, Bolton is now seeing a surge in hospitalisations. Lets hope this isn't the start of a new wave.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-57242368

Am I the only one confused by all this?

Some news reports say the infections are reducing in Bolton, some news reports say they are rising and the hospitals are getting overwhelmed!

I have literally no idea what is going on anymore.

“how does that work then? People carrying the virus around infecting other people, what freedom of choice do those people who get ill have?”

They have the choice to stay in and not mix if they want to.

I really think the government needs to publicise some stats of the hospitalised cases/deaths, even a brief summary would be useful:

What are the ages and ethnicities of patients?
Are they fully or partially vaccinated?
Are there underlying health conditions?
Are there clusters of cases within families / workplaces?

We cannot be expected to interpret “guidance” in a safe and calculated way without having some basic facts. As it is (rightly or wrongly, and based on me putting 2+2 together) I’m going to carry on doing very basic nice things like seeing family and friends after months and months, having the occasional meal out, not being scared.

@Racoonworld

“how does that work then? People carrying the virus around infecting other people, what freedom of choice do those people who get ill have?”

They have the choice to stay in and not mix if they want to.

No they don’t, they have to go to work, send their dc to school etc.

As you were - in Leicester!
news.leicester.gov.uk/news-articles/2021/may/no-changes-to-covid-19-guidance-for-city/