Is now the right time to lift Covid restrictions?

I read today that some scientists believe Covid is over because Omicron cases are lower. I'm not holding my breath over this. I believe another variation will creep in while we are unsuspecting, hopefully a more mild version - wait and see before abandoning precautions

I'm fed up of the constant cynicism on here.
They've lifted restrictions but that doesn't mean you can't wear a mask or mustn't social distance. I'll still be doing the same until I personally feel I'm not at risk. We can only look after ourselves and this is the best way to look after everyone else.
We must think for ourselves, we're not zombies.

Bossyrossy I agree completely with you. One of the other things I find hard to accept is the way the awful numbers of people who have died from this virus and that in all their waffling the PM and MPs seldom mention that they regret this. Was a long time Conservative but did not vote for them last tie and am thinking never will again.

Boorish (sorry Boris) Johnson was weak enough to be prepared to let people meet for christmas and we are all paying for it now. Of course we all wanted to be with our family and friends , but risking so much for one day was ludicrous. I note that no such offer for other religions important holidays was considered. There did seem some improvement previously with all our efforts and to be prepared to risk it all again just for his own sleazy and selfish popularity machinations was appalling. His stop start , do dont, left people not knowing what was for medical reasons and what was to suit his ends. Nothing he says can be taken at face value as we know he is a liar and a cheat, so the only people who would be trusted and believed are medical experts who are respected by their peers and the public to put ALL peoples health before any other consideration.

I tend to think he should stay on as PM, what is the alternative? Liz Truss! Then hopefully at the next General Election the Conservatives will fall by the way side. Too many cover ups and lies .

I think it defies common sense to remove masks at this stage. I feel so sad we seem to be in a society which has no regard for other people. Take away face masks when no-one is forced to be in hospital alone, when elderly people such as my dad are allowed to mingle in their retirement homes, and when classroom and staff numbers have returned to normal. Oh, and when even young people no longer are suffering from Long Covid. The selfishness of the Tory party RW seems to know no bounds. Despite the strength of the pound on the lifting of restrictions, I don't think our GDP will be worth much if half the population is off work sick soon.

I think if we lock down cases will fall then we open up cases will rise.
Atm far too many people feel protected by the vaccine. I don't believe they are at all. Too many vaccinated people in hospital and with serious symptoms for it to be effective at anything.
My friend an anti vaxer had covid mild symptoms better in 5 days.
My DD fully vaccinated very ill and still not fully recovered. DGC unvaccinated due to age temperature for 24hrs only but positive PCR. So Im not convinced vaccine actually works.
I'm fully vaccinated 3 jabs hoping I don't catch it and limiting contact with others.
If the government knew the vaccine didn't work why would they continue with it? Money?
I think this virus will run its course and we only delay that by locking down. Masks don't work unless specialist masks are used.
Most packs actually say not effective against viruses.

Yes !

LuckyFour

I'm fed up of the constant cynicism on here.
They've lifted restrictions but that doesn't mean you can't wear a mask or mustn't social distance. I'll still be doing the same until I personally feel I'm not at risk. We can only look after ourselves and this is the best way to look after everyone else.
We must think for ourselves, we're not zombies.

Cynism?! What about people who have to go to work surrounded by people who have chosen to stop taking care, no masks, no washing of hands or gel - on crowded buses, tube or train. Those who work with the above in close proximity? Those who have to serve clients who have stopped masks and everything else, in supermarkets and shops, bars and restaurants, etc, etc. What choice do they have?

Other countries are sensibly waiting for Spring and good weather to return, just a couple of months more. We have made too many sacrifices to now ruin it all by rushing into this.

sazz1

I think if we lock down cases will fall then we open up cases will rise.
Atm far too many people feel protected by the vaccine. I don't believe they are at all. Too many vaccinated people in hospital and with serious symptoms for it to be effective at anything.
My friend an anti vaxer had covid mild symptoms better in 5 days.
My DD fully vaccinated very ill and still not fully recovered. DGC unvaccinated due to age temperature for 24hrs only but positive PCR. So Im not convinced vaccine actually works.
I'm fully vaccinated 3 jabs hoping I don't catch it and limiting contact with others.
If the government knew the vaccine didn't work why would they continue with it? Money?
I think this virus will run its course and we only delay that by locking down. Masks don't work unless specialist masks are used.
Most packs actually say not effective against viruses.

To be fair nobody has mentioned locking down that would be a total overreaction
As for the hospital figures yes there are people who are vaccinated but taking into account for the fact that the majority of the population is vaccinated that is hardly a surprise I believe most in ICU are unvaccinated
If the vaccine didn’t work bearing in mind the amount of infections we have don’t you think hospital admissions and deaths would be off the scale
We have just experienced Covid in our family 4 people two of which are CV nothing more than cold symptoms for them and the other 2 including myself no symptoms whatsoever
We have boosted far quicker than most European countries and we have lower rates of infection

Yes

Give it a rest ?

It's the right thing to do at the right time. The Government is a lot more than one man and to say they are doing it for the reason you suggested is laughable.

I'm pleased they have lifted the Covid restrictions perhaps we can get back to leading a normal life soon. Just use some common sense.

If people want to stay at home and wear a mask they are free to do so. We don't need a government and PM to tell us how to live. If your friend or family had flu or some other contagious disease would you wait for government to tell you not to visit? Just keep yourself safe and don't mix if you are unwell. People need to think for themselves again.

Yes.

I will use my own assessment regarding wearing a mask - will do if the shop or supermarket is crowded, not if I'm shopping at times when there are few people in there and they're not nearby. I presume shops etc will keep the perspex screens at paypoints as ongoing measures, and if people choose to wear/not masks that is their choice and not up to others to judge.

From observation at our local supermarket, the majority of the order picking staff - all younger staff - weren't wearing masks so clearly already weren't bothered about them!

I know that since late last year, more people I know - and their family members- have had covid than in all the previous months together. I'm not convinced it is the right time.

Thank you sazz1,

The most sensible post I've read for a long time.

I don't think that it's to regain popularity, much as BJ might need it! I'll be glad to see the back of restrictions and feel that we have to learn to live with it. I tested positive between Christmas and New Year and my symptoms were more like one of allergy episodes, itchy throat, sneezing and runny nose. I'm triple jabbed btw. My main concern was how the lives of my contacts would be disrupted, rather than my mild symptoms.

A local business in our area was resistant to an offered visit by a mobile vaccination bus. Over Christmas 5 of their employees died from COVID! They are now reconsidering. Whilst Omicron does seem milder than the Delta variant etc, I definitely feel it is too soon.

The problem with lfts is that negatives are not reliable DGD came to stay after a negative test, in the morning her next test was negative but she was not very well. DD took her for a pcr and she was positive. DIL (teacher) tested negative so went to school - by lunchtime she felt ill went home and tested positive. So how much worse is it going to be without testing and isolating? For myself I will continue having shopping delivered, wear a mask if I have no alternative but to go to a shop or medical appointments, and stay indoors, enjoying my hobbies and the crazy little ’therapy’ cat I got delivered during lockdown. In the summer I’ll visit outdoor places to take photographs. Luckily I am not a great socialiser so the only people I really want to see are DD, DGC who live locally and DS,DGC which is slightly more difficult because they live in Scotland and I can’t make the distance in a staight run. If we do not trust what the Govt. is proposing then I think we have to decide for ourselves how we keep safe.

It's all happening too soon, and is IMO being done for political rather than health and scientific reasons a) to placate the right wing - or however it should be termed - 'Covid Recovery Group' of Tory MPs whose members recently rebelled against Covid measures - and b) to "prove" on the international stage that the UK is succeeding in "living with Covid", "as it does with (the very different) 'flu virus", apparently no matter what the cost in terms of infections, hospitalisations, deaths, and disruption to the NHS. It was reported a few days ago that at least the mandate on masks in shops and in other crowded internal spaces, including public transport, would be kept for the time being. But no - that's been flushed away with all other measures. I wonder if we'll return to the farcical situation in which MPs on the Tory side of the House of Commons is largely unmasked, while the ranks of Labour and other opposition parties mainly masked. I'm in a vulnerable group for reasons of age and an underlying health condition, and am somewhat dreading the next stage in the Covid story as handled by this uncaring government.

No. Quite simply no. I for one will still wear a mask and limit my social mixing. Especially now you can be infected and go out and spread it…..or will be able to soon. Waste of all the effort that has been made for the last 2 years…..and what thought has been given to the immunosuppressed?

Zoejory

How are we being manipulated? Not sure I understand.

Just 3 weeks ago many were saying England/Boris were mad to allow Christmas and New Year celebrations to go ahead.

Many Scots came here and folk were worried that the English would give them covid etc etc

It now would seem that England called this one right.

I am pleased that restrictions are being lifted. It's about time. We can always revert if needs be.

We do seem to be doing better than many European countries and I've no idea why.

Maybe manipulated is the wrong word, but lifting the restrictions now doesn’t seem sensible. I would have thought more effort is needed to convince anti vaxers to get the vaccine so there’s less chance of other, potentially more virulent variants arising. By ‘manipulated’ I meant that the lifting of the restrictions is the governments’ version of ‘look over here at this shiny thing’ in the hope that partygate will die down.