Tougher lockdown measures to be announced on t.v at 8pm tonight

Well of course Starmer will support them, he called for them.

Urmstongran I agree, all countries are struggling, it’s horrendous for everyone, including those ‘in charge’.

Agree Luca. Totally unnecessary putting teachers and children at risk for one day ! When he said on Sunday that it was perfectly safe ?

So silly to not do that before kids went back today. Cruel to little ones so excited to go back,

Good to hear Keir Starmer totally supporting the new lockdown measures, and telling the public to get back to the ‘spirit’ the country had in March.

We are 5th highest in the world in the UK currently, and the worst in Europe. Here’s the link: www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

GrannyGravy13

Basically Urmstongran European Countries are all struggling, juggling liberties versus COVID-19.

It saddens me to think COVID-19 is winning at the moment.

I agree, it is saddening, just as we thought things were looking up.
I think we all expected tough new measures.

Pittcity

Boris is just following the sc ience ottish.

Yup

It’s so worrying isn’t it? I don’t think any country has the answer and the virus likes the winter cold.

Keep safe everyone that’s the main thing.

Urnstogran I don’t know how we stack up, but the curfew didn’t stop the rave of 2,500 in Brittany.

Basically Urmstongran European Countries are all struggling, juggling liberties versus COVID-19.

It saddens me to think COVID-19 is winning at the moment.

Sorry I’ll stop now it’s boring to read probably. I just wondered how we stacked up in comparison.

From 28th December 2020:
RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IN METROPOLITAN FRANCE
A nightly curfew is currently in force in metropolitan France. Between 8PM and 6AM you may only leave your residence for the following reasons and with an exemption certificate:
Commuting to and from work, school or training place; carrying out essential business trips that cannot be postponed;
Medical appointments that cannot be carried out remotely or postponed;
Essential family reasons, assisting vulnerable persons, persons in a precarious situation or taking care of children;
Persons with a disability and their accompanying person;
Judicial or administrative summons;
Participating in a mission of general interest upon request from an administrative authority;
Air or rail transit related to long distance journeys;
Walking a pet outdoors within 1km of one’s place of residence and for a brief amount of time.

Sparkling, under present circumstances - yes, you can (and really should) report anyone who's gambling with the lives of others!

Think about it. Would you rather be friendly, forgiving, neighbourly and polite - or survive?

But Swiss health minister Alain Berset said today that he would not bow to pressure to close his country's ski areas, according to Reuters.

"Switzerland does not react to pressure from other countries," Berset told reporters.

Sadly 1,000 deaths reported in Germany today. This virus is spiralling everywhere it seems.

Thank god a vaccine is on the horizon.

I do wish that people had obeyed the rules, it’s not easy shopping friends or neighbours that you have always got on with, seeing them blatantly doing just as they always did, it is awful to see when you are alone, but you can’t shop your neighbour can you? I wish heavy fines were introduced for law breakers.

The South African variant is a further worry - being more diverse from the original than our 'new variant' - and maybe not stopped by present immunisations!

How lovely for your friends, Urmstongran!

Found this. Still causing problems. I read that the Pope was sad about people ignoring lockdowns as well.

www.ft.com/content/3292fc38-7945-4d7e-b8ed-582146ebe782

I wonder what the situation is in Europe? A friend has just rung me from Malaga. My ladies group (4 of them) are all meeting up tomorrow in our usual bar for wine, tapas & chat. Lucky things!

We never really had a proper lockdown in the UK. People were out and about all the time - while sticking to the rules.

I do hope the new measures are effective, not diluted half measures (easily ignored by many) this time. If not, the NHS will be swamped. The fallout from Christmas hasn't even hit us yet. It's totally out of control and truly terrifying.

There was mention by NS of the 4 nations consensus. She referenced the UK furlough scheme too as well as firms being able to apply for grants from the Scottish government.

She has always had her broadcast around 2pm. Gets in first. Boris around tea-time.

Anyone else notice the flags? Scotland has 2 Saltires. Wales theirs. England? The Union Jack. 4 of them to represent all 4 of us! Not a St George flag anywhere behind Boris.

These devolved governments are good with their optics....

As Parsley3 says, we knew before Christmas that the plan was for Scottish schools to have a delayed opening, Nanaandgrampy, so it's not a question of anyone "pre-empting" anyone else. Education has been a devolved issue in Scotland since the Union (like law and religion), and so we can make decisions which suit our circumstances and don't have to agree anything with Mr Johnson.

paddyanne four nations conference call at 5pm.

no mention of a four nations approach nanaandgrampy we dont ALWAYS have to do what Bojo says you know