Government announcement

Nancat

It's very easy with hindsight to point the finger of blame for shoulds and woulds, but no-one, not even the PM, has a reliable crystal ball. All we can do is follow guidelines for the constantly changing situation. What DOES need to be done is to control the disbelievers and couldn't care less'ers, who march, sunbathe, holiday, party and rave. and the "I won't wear a mask, it infringes my freedom of choice". Maybe, if everyone had followed the rules, we could have been over the worst by now. Perhaps it's time to consider enforcement by Martial Law if asking nicely doesn't work. Not something I'd enjoy, but something needs to be done to keep the irresponsible in line.

i believe some of the anti mask brigade are members of the Tory government

The speaker has demanded that Hancock apologises to parliament for not telling them of the change in rules - 6 only- but instead announcing it on twitter.

If the government doesn’t comply then it will find itself answering urgent questions every time it breaks the rules.

Hoyle was very cross indeed.

He’s beginning to run out of patience with the government just as the last speaker did.

OmaforMaya

Lucca
That is exactly what is happening here in Scotland. Every restaurant and cafe takes contact details from you before letting you enter the premises. I was under the impression that was happening all over the UK.

No ! Some places are but many are not

how much did we pay that woman for a test and trace scheme? How much have we paid pals of boris/cummings for a decent test scheme? Its a shambles, a very lucrative shambles if you're a friend of this gov't

Granartisan

Can't we all stop criticizing and just do our bit to conquer this virus? None of us really know the answers, not even the government. Whether Boris is in charge or Keir Starmer or Joe Bloggs, mistakes will be made. We are all in the same team v the virus so let's stop whinging and fight it together.

Any idea how ?

What a mess this is! Instead of clear ,concise leadership the government react too late. People are understandably confused and that could lead the population to ignore what rules are set in place.

MawB2 - I suspect Christmas gatherings of over six are indeed cancelled. I seem to recall the phrase "for the forseeable future".
The rising rates of covid can't be a surprise surely. Most of us have been expecting such a rise around this time of the year. It isn't helped by people gathering in pubs where alcohol flows freely and social distancing is highly unlikely.
None of us expected any government to negotiate this virus without problems, without the need to change guidance/laws. To suggest though that valid criticism of the shambles Mr Johnson is presiding over, is somehow unpatriotic at a time when we need to pull together, is simply ridiculous.
The public has a right to make clear its approval or otherwise of any government.
We have the highest figures of death and disease in Europe. All down to the people is it? I think not. Yes some people are stupid and selfish. Make the expectations very clear, don't use too many words - wash your hands, wear a mask, maintain the 2 metre distance, avoid crowds especially crowds indoors, or crowds with lots of shouting (races for example) and limit your contact with others as much as you possibly can. don't meet in groups of more than six. Go

I'm aghast that people still want to be allowed to be excepted from the "rules".

Saggi

Why Monday MawB2..... would you like your celebration cancelled at the drop of a hat...I’m thinking... wedding...50th anniversary ...25th anniversary...christening....70th, 60th,50th birthdays..... all of which could have relations coming from all over the country or even world!!! How selfish ! Any damage that could be done, has been done. For goodness sake let people hold celebrations that have been a long time planning!

Don’t call me selfish Saggi and check your facts before you lash out.
Anybody who has planned your unlikely and exaggerated example of a large celebration with people coming “From all over the world” has presumably already taken quarantine restrictions into account that is if they have not been sleepwalking since mid-March.
Let people hold their celebrations? Well, weddings are not affected or funerals -as for the rest of it?
So , let them spread the virus along with the lurve.
And in the immortal words of the Sheriff of Nottingham, “Christmas is cancelled”

The rules applying to weddings are not changing Saggi and as for other celebrations they were severely curtailed any way in order to be COVID secure. I certainly wouldn’t have planned one in the current climate. ‘Relations coming from all over the world’ ? Really ?

We can’t have a coalition to get Brexit and Covid sorted because no other Party (& actually plenty of Tories) would agree to break the law and protect Billionaire’s interests over the rest of the country

Why Monday MawB2..... would you like your celebration cancelled at the drop of a hat...I’m thinking... wedding...50th anniversary ...25th anniversary...christening....70th, 60th,50th birthdays..... all of which could have relations coming from all over the country or even world!!! How selfish ! Any damage that could be done, has been done. For goodness sake let people hold celebrations that have been a long time planning!

Frankly we have changed our behaviour very little indeed. Continuing to social distance, will now not go out to eat, only close family to socialise.

If it continue to increase we may cancel our U.K. holiday at the end of the month -we will use scientific evidence to make the decision.

Christmas is a way off but we shall see nearer the time.

We will never rely on the government as they are neither competent or trustworthy enough.

Lucca
That is exactly what is happening here in Scotland. Every restaurant and cafe takes contact details from you before letting you enter the premises. I was under the impression that was happening all over the UK.

Boris confused.com I really can’t make him out keeps changing the goalposts.

I am emphatically NOT a Boris fan, but given a changing situation, restrictions and regulations have to change as well.
The alternative was what we had with a total lockdown and its disastrous consequences.
If personal behaviour (social distancing, face coverings, hand washing)is not stopping the spread of the virus- what do you suggest?
Yes, fewer young people will fall seriously ill - although there are tragic exceptions - but the more widespread the virus becomes in the community the more your personal freedoms as an older person will suffer
I don’t want to go back to 12 weeks of being housebound, to AC losing their livelihoods or my GC not being able to go to school.
Let’s not fool ourselves it has all gone away and that normal life can be resumed as possible.

In other countries much stricter

So why have numbers risen in other countries, including Europe, just before ours started rising again? The cases are mainly in younger people.

Twice we have eaten out in the last 2 months and gave phone number and names.
Boris confused.com I really can’t make him out keeps changing the goalposts.
Going to our local shopping mall and cleaning stations are empty bottles, only a few have been topped up.
He should have been quicker off the mark at the beginning
In other countries much stricter. The public here don’t care anymore.

They always do this in order to deflect from negative government press - and there are plenty of those! This time, their careless attitude in breaking the law in order to get a No Deal Brexit.

I guess £100 isn't a lot to some people - like the bunch of ministers who had a barbeque on the Isle of Wight last time.

Riverwalk is totally right. The UK is being taken over by a group of Fascists. A No Deal Brexit is what they want and will benefit them. The cabinet is manned by Yes Men, most of whom are millionaires. To break International Law would be unforgivable and Britain would lose any respect it has, if any. It really is time the people of the UK woke up and realised what is being done in their name.

I wasn't a Boris fan but I didn't like the alternatives either. I feel sorry for anyone trying to keep control in this country at the moment - so many issues. If I had my way I would insist that all parties form a coalition to "just get Covid and Brexit and everything else done" and no sniping or backbiting allowed. Teamwork! I also think that new laws will not resolve anything since we are unable to adequately police them. Perhaps it is time to bring in the men and women in the forces to help our overworked police officers

It's very easy with hindsight to point the finger of blame for shoulds and woulds, but no-one, not even the PM, has a reliable crystal ball. All we can do is follow guidelines for the constantly changing situation. What DOES need to be done is to control the disbelievers and couldn't care less'ers, who march, sunbathe, holiday, party and rave. and the "I won't wear a mask, it infringes my freedom of choice". Maybe, if everyone had followed the rules, we could have been over the worst by now. Perhaps it's time to consider enforcement by Martial Law if asking nicely doesn't work. Not something I'd enjoy, but something needs to be done to keep the irresponsible in line.

MiniMoon no hugs for grandchildren here, or anyone else, it’s what we miss most.

Numbers are rising across Europe. Our govt is belatedly taking a look & learn approach. Always belatedly. Disgusted to realise the clampdown is set to start after the St Leger, will the punters stay away, no chance. I’m staying in lockdown!

Yes Deedum - they are desperate to keep the economy going & children in school do the only thing they can clamp down on is ‘fun’ gatherings . Especially family get togethers as People tend not to follow distancing rules well with family (I am guilty of this - don’t hug or kiss, but find myself getting too close.)
Well after this weekend we won’t be seeing them again for ages I guess.
I think Christmas This year will be miserable with no pantos, probably no concerts or singing in church (no carols!) and possibly no family gatherings. How depressing!