Word “hope” used in today’s press conference…..

[Kate3150]

I’m sure before it’s been said that the easing of restrictions would be irreversible, but today Boris said he “hoped it would be irreversible”.
Do you think there will be restrictions later in the year? If so, what do you think they’ll be?

Yes, I think we'll have restrictions as we ho into winter - masks, distancing etc. Possibly on a localised level.

Obviously they can toggle international travel on and off.

Whitty said this - so nothing about a full lockdown or tough restrictions like some posters are obsessed with

Of course there will be.

They are trying not to inflame the public.... they are breaking it to us gently. Seriously, why do people keep quoting what the government have said when it keeps bloody changing!!!! They will do whatever they need to. That's the bottom line.

I can’t help but feel there will be some sort of lockdown in the winter. That’s not meaning I’m obsessed with lockdowns or full of doom and gloom, just a gut feeling.

@Kate3150 well, if you have a gut feeling then it must be certain.

@SonnetForSpring you’re in the doom camp.

I'm being realistic.

Its difficult because there is no money for a lockdown and politically trying to get it through Parliament would cause the government huge issues and they know it.

Measures though that can be implemented without economic implications or political will yes.

Which is pretty much what Chris Whitty is saying.

In the end, they'll probably let the vaccinated go about their business freely with vaccine passports, as that's where political majority and best health outcomes intersect. Is it true freedom, is it libertarian? No. But we left real freedom behind last March and it's sitting stubbornly in the rear view mirror.

They need to open up as much as they can and they need to be able to row back if they can see they need to.

They need to offer vaccination to clinically vulnerable children and prioritise education & health. Otherwise, what else can they do?

I noticed the word hope has crept in as well. It’s either irreversible or it’s not! He’s gone a bit “ooh we won’t take the next step unless we know it’s irreversible but we can’t really know that so, ummm, fingers crossed eh”

Using the term "irreversible" was irresponsible in the first place. No one can guarantee anything. Two years ago, no-one would ever have foreseen a time when we were told to only leave our home for essential reasons.

Of course restrictions of some types should and will be reinstated if necessary. Restrictions, I said, not necessarily a full return to the lockdowns as we've seen them, though these should obviously be used if it becomes necessary.

Being called a doom bringer for being realistic in this view is unhelpful.

I think some restrictions will return at some point. Probably some difficult to enforce such as on home gatherings.

I think we will see a return of restrictions for Autumn/winter - masks and distancing would be top of the list I think, more of an emphasis on isolations again (I know the rules haven’t reduced yet). Maybe lockdowns in a different name. Further testing to access hospitality in the direction France has just gone.

Saying this doesn’t mean I love masks or what lockdowns forever, but I feel it’s the way we’re heading.

I think a full lockdown will depend on whether or not the UK breeds the Boris variant.

Introduction of some restrictions in the winter though does appear likely. I expect schools will end up being disrupted next term and the go ahead given for vaccinating children in the autumn. Also when people discover they can no longer take their over 12s on holiday without vaccination they will start to push for it.