England will have no further Covid restrictions until after the New Year.

Yes, OK, I digressed when I talked about those from Wales and Scotland crossing the border. (But living on the border of one of those countries, Ihave heard of quite a few who are planning to).

The main point, though, was in agreement with another poster who said the restrictions (apart from total lockdowns) just don't appear to be working. No matter which country one happes to live in.

The information on France is interesting. Despite all their restrictions they still can't get it under control.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274
This interactive map of rates by area is for LilacChaser, who as Calistemonsays, has her facts wrong. At the moment, the infection rates are higher in England than in either Scotland or Wales. It’s more likely in fact that Welsh residents who venture over the border to celebrate New Year (idiots in my opinion) will bring it home with them from the pub or party and raise the infection rate here than the other way round.
We are all in a very serious position, and no doubt the rates will go up everywhere, but we should at least attempt to be accurate in what we say about the figures.

GrannyGravy13

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

I have been thinking this for a while France seems to have all the restrictions but the virus carries on
We are tinkering around the edges in different ways in all four parts of the UK will any of it make much difference- probably not
Sometimes the definition of insanity comes to mind keep doing the same things and expecting different results
With the huge amount of infection at the moment it is obvious the vaccinations and boosters are doing their job think we have to hold tight and wait for the end of the wave
Omicron is proving to be far less dangerous and if it continues to overtake Delta we may be in a totally different position by the spring

So are we. No fireworks but the people guaranteed to be crowding together in Trafalgar Square etc will provide entertainment ...

We are too.

But that is no different to usual!

Well we’re being sensible on New Year’s Eve, we’re staying at home!

I typed out a post with up-to-date rates in response to LilacChaser
The 'tsunami' of Omicron infections in both Wales and Scotland only highlight that masks, strict hospitality rules, etc, do very little (or nothing) to limit spread. Though all the people from Scotland and Wales travelling into England to celebrate New Year will certainly bring England's rates up again. And who will get the blame? The government, for not being strict enough!!! Aagggh!

But lost it.

London has far higher cases than Wales or Scotland

Kali2

... sensible on New Years Eve...

yeah, sure!

All our friends and family (including young adults/teenagers) are staying at home on New Years Eve. They have organised FaceTime quizzes, simultaneous cocktail making, cooking etc.

Obviously there will be some folks from all Countries of the U.K. who will be out to get drunk and party regardless of the rules. As there are in any Country worldwide when there is a festival/celebration to be enjoyed.

Casdon

We’ve had a PCR testing centre for ages where I am Calistemon (mid Wales), they started out putting it in whichever town the high infection levels were, but it’s been in Builth Wells which is central, for months now. It must be location dependent I guess.

Yes, probably.

There's some confusion here re numbers allowed to attend funerals too. DH has to go to one tomorrow but I may have to wait outside if numbers are restricted

Well most of the major cities -Athens, Berlin, Paris, London, Rome- have all cancelled their New Year's Eve fireworks, though no doubt smaller crowds will assemble in the streets. I'm sure that has been factored into the figures.
Our town's Boxing Day swim was cancelled but quite a few intrepid souls went in and although the seafront was busy, people tried to distance themselves. Provided they don't get too drunk (!!) I think the majority might be sensible enough. We will of course see the usual pictures of partygoers cavorting in the streets, but they are beyond help anyway.

... sensible on New Years Eve...

yeah, sure!

GrannyGravy13

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

I agree GG13
Just hope people are sensible on New Years Eve, the crowds will be outside mainly though.

Though all the people from Scotland and Wales travelling into England to celebrate New Year will certainly bring England's rates up again.

I've decided just to post on important things. This seems quite important.

England's rate per 100,000 on the government site is 1,200. Scotland's is 602 - i.e. half the rate.

So it won't be us putting your rates up come Hogmanay, you'll have to find someone else to blame. Your tsunami makes ours look like a little wave on the beach.

GrannyGravy13

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

It’s pure luck that the latest variant is so mild. Had it been otherwise we would be in big trouble now.

GrannyGravy13

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

I couldn't agree more. It's what I've suspected for a while now. Full lockdowns do lessen the rates of infection, but the other 'precautionary' measures seem to have little/no effect.

The 'tsunami' of Omicron infections in both Wales and Scotland only highlight that masks, strict hospitality rules, etc, do very little (or nothing) to limit spread. Though all the people from Scotland and Wales travelling into England to celebrate New Year will certainly bring England's rates up again. And who will get the blame? The government, for not being strict enough!!! Aagggh!

I think it is from today that France has made the interval time 3 months instead of 4 months to receive the booster. My friend also said they are going back to table service in cafés and bars, so no standing up while drinking. Her grandchildren are going back to school on Monday next week.
Once the virus hits there seems no holding it back.

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

We’ve had a PCR testing centre for ages where I am Calistemon (mid Wales), they started out putting it in whichever town the high infection levels were, but it’s been in Builth Wells which is central, for months now. It must be location dependent I guess.

Casdon

Where did you hear there’s a problem booking PCRs in Wales GrannyGravy13, as I know somebody who booked and had one this morning?
The infection rate is high here now so it wouldn’t surprise me, but I can’t find any reference to that being an issue, although there is with availability of lateral flow tests.

There was but I'm not sure about now as new drive-in centres were opened up. Previously it was necessary to cross the border to England to get a pcr test.

I have had a thought, could there also be disruption to the postal service because of Christmas/Bank holidays/staff sickness/ staff holiday/staff isolation which may also contribute to supply?

schools and colleges sent pupils home with them
my daughters care providers were able to supply LFT and PCR
so I'm guessing the supply issues are to general every day adult people and we were told to test before meeting people etc so there obviously were not enough available if people cannot get them

I don't understand if there are no tests available nationwide, where are all the cases coming from?

DS ordered LFT this morning for GC school tests next week, after speaking to him I went online and managed to order some for delivery by Friday 31/01/21.

Speaking to friends and family in several Counties, it’s best if you go online and order first thing in the morning.

There are no packs available in my local pharmacy.

LF tests are in short supply in some areas, due to the fact that everyone wants to have some in the house in case they need it, but I question that all the areas mentioned by you WW ( from the Internet?) are correct....clearly they are not as my son picked some up at a pharmacy only yesterday.

Things are looking optimistic now, and the massive rise in boosters and people being more naturally cautious has really helped.