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Original poster

Is there another lockdown now or not?

344 replies

Overthebow · 25/05/2021 06:20

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.

OP posts:
tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 25/05/2021 15:52

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

AIMummy · 25/05/2021 15:58

Basically thousands upon thousands of taxpayers money is used to employ numerous experts to advise the government on these things but in the end the government say "make up your own mind" anyway. Hmm

LaLaLandIsNoFun · 25/05/2021 16:03

The arse doesn’t know what the elbow is doing, it would seem.

This government couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery news.leicester.gov.uk/news-articles/2021/may/no-changes-to-covid-19-guidance-for-city/

lightand · 25/05/2021 16:07

I think they do know what they are doing.

I am beginning to think, that the idea is to let the virus in, and then to lockdown. Then increase vaccinations.
It keeps happening like that, time and time again.

Watermelon222 · 25/05/2021 16:27

@JulietBravo999

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.

Yes I agree, same here
Glitterandunicorns · 25/05/2021 16:29

[quote YoshimisMum]As you were - in Leicester!
news.leicester.gov.uk/news-articles/2021/may/no-changes-to-covid-19-guidance-for-city/[/quote]
North Tyneside have said the same thing, but it seems that what they actually mean is that it's not the law; only guidance, therefore go about your business however you see fit.

It's extremely irresponsible for the Government to be allowing confusing messages in this way.

the80sweregreat · 25/05/2021 16:41

Breaking news on bbc one just now.
The various councils in these affected areas have said that there arnt any local lockdowns being enforced.

Glitterandunicorns · 25/05/2021 16:44

@the80sweregreat

Breaking news on bbc one just now. The various councils in these affected areas have said that there arnt any local lockdowns being enforced.
Yeah, they're being cagey on how they're phrasing it. There were never going to be lockdowns based on what is on the Gov website right now; it was guidance against travelling into and out of the areas. So it's accurate to say no lockdowns and no restrictions, but they are suggesting that everything has been cancelled, when that is not the case and the Gov website is still recommending no travel.
Racoonworld · 25/05/2021 16:45

@Thesearmsofmine those are still a choice. And a choice not to see friends and family, or go out to restaurants, cinema, pubs, go on holiday if they don’t want to. It’s a free choice for everyone now, people can choose to mix or not and that’s how it should be. We can’t stay restricted long term.

Halloweenrainbow · 25/05/2021 16:45

@PineappleWilson

Presuming the guidance, rather than law, means that families living in thes areas will not be able to claim for cancelled bookings where people had made plans for half term next week, I'm guessing people are free to ignore this "guidance" and crack on with their booked holidays next week. The government have been told before that giving guidance is ineffective because people affected by it can't get refunds etc. off the back of guidance, only law. It's very frustrating.
June 21st being the 'end off all legal restrictions' could also signal the 'end of all legal protections'. I fear many business could be left in a difficult position.
the80sweregreat · 25/05/2021 16:47

Yes, it was an odd little statement from the councils just now.

Thesearmsofmine · 25/05/2021 16:53

[quote Racoonworld]@Thesearmsofmine those are still a choice. And a choice not to see friends and family, or go out to restaurants, cinema, pubs, go on holiday if they don’t want to. It’s a free choice for everyone now, people can choose to mix or not and that’s how it should be. We can’t stay restricted long term.[/quote]
How is going to work a choice? You really think someone living hand to mouth has a choice to simply not go to work? For many sending dc to school is also not a choice, some can home educate but not everyone is in the position to do that.

Glitterandunicorns · 25/05/2021 16:55

@the80sweregreat

Yes, it was an odd little statement from the councils just now.
It was, wasn't it. I would love to know when the PM or Hancock are going to turn up to say something about this. I am so angry about the lack of clarity. Whoever voted for these idiots deserves a clip around the ear.
Racoonworld · 25/05/2021 17:10

@Thesearmsofmine Thing is though covid isn't going away, there will always be case increases and decreases. We can't and won't stay locked down and we are moving to personal responsibility (i.e. free choice). It will be people's choice how much they mix or not from now on, for some it will be a harder choice than others. I don't know what else you are expecting to happen?

Glitterandunicorns · 25/05/2021 17:19

[quote Racoonworld]@Thesearmsofmine Thing is though covid isn't going away, there will always be case increases and decreases. We can't and won't stay locked down and we are moving to personal responsibility (i.e. free choice). It will be people's choice how much they mix or not from now on, for some it will be a harder choice than others. I don't know what else you are expecting to happen?[/quote]
You're right that we can't stay in lockdown forever, but it is the responsibility of the Government to make decisions that will keep us safe.
It is bonkers that Bolton council are saying that everyone should go about their business when their hospital has advised people not to go there. In cases like that, the Government need to govern and legislate to keep the local people safe and stop the virus from spreading further again.

I know it is awful, and I am feeling the effects of lockdowns too, but there will always be people who ignore the "guidance" and need actual legislation to get them to pay any attention to behaving in such a way to keep themselves and others safe.

I don't know what the right answer is. Lockdowns can't be forever, but we do need to keep people safe too.

Frazzled2207 · 25/05/2021 17:19

What a cock up. I reckon they tasked the office junior with updating the government guidance last week and didn't think to check what he/she had actually written.

Shameful that there's no further clarity, or apology. If the original guidance stays on the website, what are those there supposed to think?

Xenia · 25/05/2021 17:23

It has been as clear as day and what I wanted from March 2020. you do what you like in a free society. They would rather you did X just as they would rather someone with flu or VD did not spread it around but they are not forcing anyone now. As far as I am concerned this is exactly right and well done to the stage. About time.

Glitterandunicorns · 25/05/2021 17:29

@Xenia

It has been as clear as day and what I wanted from March 2020. you do what you like in a free society. They would rather you did X just as they would rather someone with flu or VD did not spread it around but they are not forcing anyone now. As far as I am concerned this is exactly right and well done to the stage. About time.
I know people who have lost family members because of this virus. It is not a nice way to go. I also know people who have suffered from long COVID. It is extremely unpleasant.

I have not yet had my second vaccination. If you let people just do what they like, that means folks like me have to hide away until this variant magically disappears.

I get that people miss family/ friends/ going to the pub/ whatever, but we have a responsibility to each other to do what we can. I'm not saying that should mean lockdowns, but it should mean behaving with consideration for members of our communities who are too young to have been vaccinated yet, or who have had the AZ vaccination meaning they are only 60% protected against the new variant.

Thesearmsofmine · 25/05/2021 17:31

[quote Racoonworld]@Thesearmsofmine Thing is though covid isn't going away, there will always be case increases and decreases. We can't and won't stay locked down and we are moving to personal responsibility (i.e. free choice). It will be people's choice how much they mix or not from now on, for some it will be a harder choice than others. I don't know what else you are expecting to happen?[/quote]
I don’t think Covid is going away and I agree that people need to make their own choices but to say that people have the choice to work for example is frankly ridiculous.
Do you really think someone getting up at the crack of dawn to work 12 hours as a packer in a factory for minimum wage feels like they have a choice? They are doing it because it is a necessity and people out the like yourself saying it is a choice clearly has no idea. You cannot compare it to choosing to go to a restaurant or to the cinema.

DumplingsAndStew · 25/05/2021 17:35

This is like a wee trip down memory lane.

Remember the day Johnson appeared on television to say schools were "safe", to "absolutely" send your children back to school tomorrow?

Then the following day, he appears on television to announce that actually things are not safe, that a 3 month lockdown is starting?

The next day.

Anyone else feeling a case of déjà vu approaching?

hopingtochangeeachtime · 25/05/2021 17:36

Hopefully they can contain this variant and still unlock on 21st June ? Is three weeks enough ?

FreekStar · 25/05/2021 17:39

I don't believe anyone in group 6 who says they have not been able to book a vaccine appointment yet! They need to try harder!

SomeKindOfFloppyWeirdo · 25/05/2021 17:49

Just wandered across this on Twitter Confused what on earth is going on! Is it right? Is it not? At this point though, if no. 10 is saying the guidance is correct, then we can all assume it’s rubbish. I really feel for all of you who are living in these areas and trying to keep up with this. Flowers

Is there another lockdown now or not?
DumplingsAndStew · 25/05/2021 17:54

@FreekStar

I don't believe anyone in group 6 who says they have not been able to book a vaccine appointment yet! They need to try harder!
😂

So you don't support the idea that lots of people in these areas of concern haven't been able to access the vaccine due to reasons like transport, illness, work, caring commitments, etc?

They just need to try harder too?

pinkearedcow · 25/05/2021 17:57

Whoever voted for these idiots deserves a clip around the ear

That is a very polite and restrained way of putting it!