So lockdown worked!

Bur what about the areas where the infection rate hasn't fallen?? Here in the North West we suffered when Mr J ended the first lockdown everywhere because London rates were down but they weren't the same in the North West as we were a couple of weeks or so behind London and we hadn't got control of the virus as they had in other places but he ended our lockdown as well, so we were at a disadvantage straightaway and playing catch-up. I dread what may happen in the New Year with the 5 day break at Christmas - I hope we don't have to pay for it but somehow I can't see that happening and I'm worried about it all.

Mr J having a plan - that's satire, right?

Lockdown does appear to have worked Hetty, you just have to look at the daily figures for that. Nothing like enough of us have had the virus yet to cause the numbers to come down as rapidly as they have.

Advising anybody to "ignore the advice" when talking about coronavirus is rather silly. It gives people excuses.

Yes, Daisymae, that's the plan. It's like watching a train crash in slow motion. No, Lillie, he doesn't have a plan (or a clue either).

I'm not sure how much lockdown has worked, though.

My only explanation for the decrease in infection rates is that so many of the population have already had the virus.

They will have a few months natural immunity, at least, so the rate of infection would decrease anyway.

The government won't introduce rules that will be ignored. There is no way to effectively enforce them anyway.

Ignore the advice and just stay away from people (including family) as much as possible. That's the only sensible 'plan'.

What Lucca said ?

Lucca, spot on comment about those with underlying health conditions. We should know better and remain locked away from our loved ones. In truth, everyone I know in that category, including over 70's who don't have underlying conditions - we're all staying home.

Yes Mr J has a plan, a cunning plan that couldn't possibly fail Blackadder.

Whoa whoa, yes shops will be open but pubs and restaurants won't be, so there will be no mingling there. Hotels are closed so there will be little traveling for pleasure. Peoples homes are off limits. Theatres and sports still minimal. etc. It's a gradual easing, not a free for all. Mr J does have a plan.

Worry not someone will be along soon to tell us only those with underlying conditions die so that’s ok. Or that they won’t be having the vaccine as they know better than the scientists ....

Daisymae, yep, that's the plan.
Why didn't Mr J acknowledge how much families/friends want to get together at this time of year but ask us to continue to follow tier 3/or lockdown guidance is a mystery to me. There could have been some sensible recognition that rules would be bent a bit. The police are usually well skilled in managing those situations and I doubt they'd be wanting to fine people who had a sightly larger group than the rule of six for example.
Its dispiriting to be led by a crazy general who uses the language of ancient battles in an attempt to keep us all quiet.