What does an end to restrictions mean?

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It's much touted but does it mean everything back to how it was?

Does that mean no more isolation with symptoms, for example?

Personally I can see how we could soon (although I suspect not on 21 June) get closer to normal. Full opening of sports, bars etc but not unrestricted travel.

And surely Test and Trace and the subsequent isolations need to remain. Which means work and school, among other things, are not back to normal at all

Yes, is this 'freedom day' simply everything back how it was in Feb 2020? I don't get it. Surely mask wearing should continue. Surely people shouldn't cram into crowded indoor spaces? It's not like we have no covid anymore, or we are in NZ or Australia.... (I wish).
It seems to me most things are open again now, just with social distancing and masks.

Surely schools should return to normal if the rest of society is returning to normal?

Or do the adults get to return to cramming inside indoor places without masks while children sit at home for 10 days because one person in their 250-person year-group who isn't in any of their classes gets a positive test, while they have a negative PCR test and may even have been vaccinated?

Surely the government scheme of daily testing for close contacts is more consistent with the reopening of normal life...

No, mask wearing and social distancing were excluded from the “end to all restrictions”. To be fair; the government were quite upfront about that. They started a review of when they could be dropped but I think that’s been postponed because of the Delta variant.

I’m not sure about isolation. I’d presume that would also be excluded but that is a complete guess, so don’t take that as gospel.

They were hoping that masks and social distancing could end at the same time on 21st June, but then they have already ended distancing when it comes to family and friends. Also things like nightclubs could open, no limits on numbers for events, wedding, etc.

The government were never clear as to what 21 June (if it were to go ahead) would look like - ie whether dome measures would need to be retained for a bit, such as mask wearing, or whether everything would revert to Feb 2020.

This is why the whole "will June 2021 go ahead" question is a bit academic really - as it depends which version of freedom day you're referring to.

I've never understood, either. I've never needed to understand, tbh.

I am hoping that the "number days open this summer" restriction (eg., campsites) and something on indoor venue density (for restaurants, cinemas, bowling, etc) will be lifted or considerably eased on 21 June. Feeling worried about those businesses.

June 21st was simply a hypothetical promise dangling a carrot on a stick 🦯🥕 based on an ideal scenario if Covid could be eliminated or controlled. On paper it may have worked just as long as it didn’t mutate too much.

Great concept if you’re a country like New Zealand or Oz with a relatively small population spread out. For us however with our large population and open borders it probably can not happen without a more effective vaccine or cure and no international travel.

I don't think there's many people who would just switch back to normal on 21st June (although I don't think restrictions really will end then).

I wouldn't feel comfortable going into a crowded pub or restaurant or sitting right next to other unmasked people in a cinema or theatre or train etc.

I haven't even done those things again yet with the social distancing rules let alone without!

I'd love to know if and when isolation will end. Surely it can't go on indefinitely?

What end to restrictions? No end in sight as far as I can see, so much for vaccines being the way out.
*Unless you're attending the G7 summit then you can turn up with no need to quarantine and swan around maskless.

It's not going to happen, though Freedom Day was a stupid PR slogan.

I will never understand how "restrictions ending" and "social distancing to continue" can be used at the same time. Ffs social distancing isn't normal.

I am so angry that nothing is being mentioned in the media about the fact that the rapid rise in Covid infections will soon mean that hundreds of thousands of school children will soon be in isolation.
I don’t actually want ‘freedom day’ or any more restrictions to ease until my dc finish school in six weeks time.
If ‘freedom day’ means continued isolations, test and trace, social distancing and not being able to leave our country then I’d rather they didn’t bother!

It's not going to happen, though Freedom Day was a stupid PR slogan

PR slogan by who? I could be wrong but I dont recall the Govt calling it "freedom day". Is it a media slogan?

It will mean one massive blowout event akin to say, when England were doing well at the World Cup, and then once that's fizzled out, not too dissimilar to what we have at the moment for the most part!

If the plan is to keep masks, social distancing and overly cautious travel restrictions, then really all the 21st is is some kind of manufactured pent up release of the past year and 3 months!!

I say that looking out the window in London. Loads of people walking about, in and out of shops and pubs. It doesn't feel like (for the average person here at least) there would be much of a jump..

Lindy2

That’s because you have common sense. The problem is, the government doesn’t trust us. It’s a nanny state.

We have friends who invited us for a bbq. We are all double vaccinated but the kids aren’t. They go to school in different areas so we’ve declined.

That’s common sense.

From the beginning it said that (no earlier than) June 21st was "lifting all legal limits on social contact".

So to me this meant lifting limits on how many people are allowed to meet at any time - so large events, weddings etc would be allowed.
Social distancing wouldn't have to be lifted as it is not legal (just guidance)
Masks wouldn't be lifted because that's not to do with social contact, ditto with travelling abroad

I think wearing masks is to do with "social contact" so was in theory up for review. It is enshrined in law, and that law is due to expire at the end of June, no? Though obvs I expect it to be extended now, unfortunately. Masks in the summer... Urghhh.

Wasn't it things like large weddings going ahead and more people in pubs. I think it was probably a bit misleading because it would mean concerts in places like Wembley Arena going ahead as normal it all restrictions ended and I doubt that would happen.

Are people actually social distancing any more? I don't think so.

The only places where people are SD is in some queues in shops where there is a spot on the floor indicating where to stand but actually browsing in shops people aren't or when walking up the street.

II think it's the idea that everywhere can be open, and you can meet in large groups (unlimited outdoors and in private residences, some limits on public indoor gatherings, where they will 'ease' not remove restrictions)

It doesn't really mention masks, or keeping a distance from strangers (or anyone you do not know consents to you being near)

Government does want 45000 in Wembley though for the football but of course that's different, they are committed to 22500 anyway regardless of freedom day.

@WhentheDealGoesDown1

Government does want 45000 in Wembley though for the football but of course that's different, they are committed to 22500 anyway regardless of freedom day.

That's a half-capacity crowd

Do you think all venues should be on a lower ratio? And shouid indoors ones be even lower still?

And of course 22500 is quarter capacity, and isn't that a specific trial?

Bit like the one they had in a nightclub recently

No I don't think venues should be on a lower ratio but I also don't think it should be exclusive to football, I have concerts booked that will likely be cancelled but football seems to trump everything else.