More U turns

[Dustyboots]

They are u turns aren’t they?

I can’t work out what’s going on anymore. I thought the last press conference or whatever it was was final - about the opening. But it seems not ...

Definitely follow whatever you think the rules might be territory now.

What do you mean? I'm lost

I’m not sure what the last announcement was for but the actual confirmation of the next step is tomorrow.

I do suspect u turns.

There's a story on BBC news this morning about masks still being 'expected' in crowded indoor spaces like public transport, etc. The just went be mandated. So I suspect tomorrow will be the lifting of restrictions as in legal ones, but reinforcing of guidelines which will include masks for example.

Lifting legal restrictions? So they can't insist on masks then

'Enclosed' areas could be interpreted as anywhere really...with a roof or door

I'm not wearing a mask anymore. Nor anywhere if the law is scrapped

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/11/zahawi-covid-reopening-going-ahead-on-19-july-but-mask-wearing-expected?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

Doesn't affect me as not in England, but don't think this is going to go down well.

@Deliaskis

There's a story on BBC news this morning about masks still being 'expected' in crowded indoor spaces like public transport, etc. The just went be mandated. So I suspect tomorrow will be the lifting of restrictions as in legal ones, but reinforcing of guidelines which will include masks for example.

So I would imagine then that guidelines for businesses will still include encouraging masks and social distancing?

Even if they can’t legally enforce these things?

Won’t this just put staff at risk of abuse by those expecting to wake up at on the 19th with their ‘freedom’ back?

They should have the backbone to admit that the mask legislation shouldn't have been scrapped in the first place.

@gardeninggirl68

Lifting legal restrictions? So they can't insist on masks then

'Enclosed' areas could be interpreted as anywhere really...with a roof or door

I'm not wearing a mask anymore. Nor anywhere if the law is scrapped

Only private land/companies will be able to. So transport, shops, schools, workplaces etc.

Zahawi was on Andrew Marr this morning talking utter gibberish. Apparently the government doesn't want to rule by diktat (basically the point of a government but that's for another thread) so instead is encouraging people to gather their Southgate and Blitz spirits (there seems to be two spirits we need to summon) in order for us to, I don't know, try not to die since the government has got bored of dealing with Coronavirus?

Johnson has realised that doing away with masks might make him unpopular.

Damage limitation.

Masks will still be “expected” in crowded places such as public transport when most remaining Covid restrictions are lifted later this month, a minister has said, in a marked toughening up of rhetoric amid concerns over soaring infection rates.

That's no good at all. Either they are mandated in certain settings, or not. Not 'they will be expected'. WTF. We need very clear guidelines, or else things will degenerate into personal attacks and arguments about 'expectations'. Gah.

The government basically dug themselves into a hole by announcing months in advance, when vaccination was starting to take off and lockdown had made case numbers very low, that they would get rid of all restrictions in the summer. Now the Delta variant has taken hold and not enough people are fully vaccinated but they are too scared of public reaction if they hold back on lifting restrictions.

Having to chop and change and remember where I have to wear a mask etc? I think many many people will just claim to suddenly be 'exempt'.... easier than having to mess around with a mask one minute then not the next

@ilovesooty

Johnson has realised that doing away with masks might make him unpopular.

Damage limitation.

Almost 18 months in and he's learned nothing. Now there's a quality you want in a PM. Inability to retain and use information.

What happened with the legislation?

It just didn’t renew and they thought they wouldn’t get the votes?

For some people "expectations" won't be any different to legal requirements. I work with vulnerable people, so my employer will still require that I keep all the same mask, test and hygiene requirements that I have been throughout. And I don't want to kill any of the people I work with (a very real risk) so I'll be keeping precautions in place in my personal life too.

@WhoWants2Know

For some people "expectations" won't be any different to legal requirements. I work with vulnerable people, so my employer will still require that I keep all the same mask, test and hygiene requirements that I have been throughout. And I don't want to kill any of the people I work with (a very real risk) so I'll be keeping precautions in place in my personal life too.

I'm self employed and I know my business premises landlord will keep the same protocol in place, as will I for my own risk assessed room.

Clients have a choice about accessing the service. If they don't want to, they can make alternative arrangements. Obviously exemptions still apply as they always have done.

If they want to be led by data rather than dates, then plans will change according to the current situation. That's actually a good thing, rigidity would be a lot more concerning.

So it possibly sounds like they won't make it law to wear masks but will support businesses and organisations that require them on their site or vehicles

I’m waiting for the update tomorrow but I’ll still be wearing my mask in busy indoor areas, regardless whether the guidance changes.

I don't really understand why anyone would find it hard to remember where they are or aren't supposed to wear masks if they make the change from law to guidance.

Surely you'd just wear one in all the same places you've been wearing one for the last year?

I intend to keep wearing masks whenever I'm inside a public place so shops, restaurants, hospitals, transport. Then just like I have done for the last year if seated for a meal or drink I will remove the mask and put it back on when I get up to move around.

@ilovesooty

Johnson has realised that doing away with masks might make him unpopular.

Damage limitation.

Everything he does is for popularity and to be liked. Announces 'freedom day' so he can be liked, 'Boris saves Christmas' so he can be liked, jumps on the England bandwagon so he can be popular. Then when the polls suggest most people actually still think x should happen, he'll change course again.

A nightmare way to deal with a crisis like a pandemic.

Yes, U turns.

But Boris is not a leader and has zero leadership skills.

A leader with integrity listens to his advisors, listens to the research, listens to the available information and then LEADS.

Mothers and parents do it all the time.

What Boris does is the following and the opposite of leadership.

His strategy is to

'See what I can get away with, and what the general public won't notice me doing, and what will benefit big business, never mind people on a low income or those who are vulnerable in other ways (i.e. knackered NHS staff)

He only changes tack when he is pulled up on it, which means there is some hope for democracy. His advisors will be checking mumsnet in their media profiles as we are a big lobby.

Yes it is a nightmarish way to deal with a pandemic, because it is very frightening for the general public, especially and in particular children and parents.

You would never do that as a parent at least I hope not.

You would be saying 'well, lets think about it, and weigh up the evidence and take it step by step, proceed with caution'.

Calling in principles of 'do no harm'.

But we should know the measure of Boris and the boys now. Surely.
Just a shame that the next election is not for a few years.

Unless he faces a vote of no confidence. Which I sincerley hope will happen. But I guess for some people out there he will be remembered as the prime minister who gave them all a day off to watch the footie.

Fine, if that's what your priorities are but then please don't moan if you get a serious illness and can't have an operation for a couple of years due to this mess.

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

I don't really understand why anyone would find it hard to remember where they are or aren't supposed to wear masks if they make the change from law to guidance.

Surely you'd just wear one in all the same places you've been wearing one for the last year?

I intend to keep wearing masks whenever I'm inside a public place so shops, restaurants, hospitals, transport. Then just like I have done for the last year if seated for a meal or drink I will remove the mask and put it back on when I get up to move around.

You don't understand? Well, having worked with the general public all the way through covid I can tell you it will create yet more problems

Yesterday, customers entering store, routinely asked can you wear a mask? We get people who have to run back to cars, rustle around in pockets or ask for one of ours because they have FORGOTTEN!!!!

I have also been physically assaulted as have my colleagues. Because we have tried to enforce other covid requirements.

Customers screaming at us because other customers are maskless
Customers screaming at us because we ask they wear a mask if not exempt

Had enough.

@SoMuchForSummerLove

Zahawi was on Andrew Marr this morning talking utter gibberish. Apparently the government doesn't want to rule by diktat (basically the point of a government but that's for another thread) so instead is encouraging people to gather their Southgate and Blitz spirits (there seems to be two spirits we need to summon) in order for us to, I don't know, try not to die since the government has got bored of dealing with Coronavirus?

Oh my gosh I heard this, and was absolutely cringing. Where is the leadership? Where is the clear messaging? Govt blithely throwing away the good progress we'd made in the vaccine roll out. Already talk of a new variant emerging in the surge in NE of England... I dont think there will be a U turn though. Seems like the CRG backbenchers are calling the shots now.