Freedom Day, June 21st, will go ahead.

[Who_Goes_Blue]

My mask is going in the bin on June 20th regardless

[Biker 1]

I'm almost at the stage of praying now(!!!!)
lets hope 21 June actually happens, but at a minimum, I expect HMG to turn law into 'guidance'. If this occurs, will be interesting to see how many people are either confused & think guidance = law, &/or continue with face nappies etc...

[Pixelpeep Z4]

yes it will, but with less freedom than originally planned (whatever the actual plan was.. lol)

They can't not do it, even if its a token easing - the knuckle draggers will revolt if they think there's an opportunity to be offended and/or reason to riot !

[silentbrown]

[Crafty_]

Nigel_O said:

I'm struggling to see how there won't be a rebellion if lockdown isn't lifted for the majority. I can see strong recommendations to continue to wear masks in crowded indoor locations (eg public transport) and I can see the 2-metre recommendation staying.

distancing / mask rules weren't going to be relaxed at this step anyway, see the paragraph here at the end of the stage 3 bit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-1...

edit: added as quote:

thegov said:

Review of social distancing

Finally, before Step 4 begins, the government will complete a review of social distancing and other long-term measures that have been put in place to cut transmission. This will inform decisions on the timing and circumstances under which the rules on 1 metre plus, the wearing of face coverings and other measures may be lifted. This will also inform guidance on working from home – which should continue wherever possible until this review is complete.


Step 4 - not before 21 June
Social contact

By Step 4 which will take place no earlier than 21 June, the government hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact.
Business, activities and events

We hope to reopen remaining premises, including nightclubs, and ease the restrictions on large events and performances that apply in Step 3. This will be subject to the results of a scientific Events Research Programme to test the outcome of certain pilot events through the spring and summer, where we will trial the use of testing and other techniques to cut the risk of infection. The same Events Research Programme will guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events.

As we move through each of these phases in the roadmap, we must all remember that COVID-19 remains a part of our lives. We are going to have to keep living our lives differently to keep ourselves and others safe. We must carry on with ‘hands, face, space’. Comply with the COVID-Secure measures that remain in place. Meet outdoors when we can and keep letting fresh air in. Get tested when needed. Get vaccinated when offered. If we all continue to play our part, we will be that bit closer to a future that is more familiar.

Nothing in there suggests mask rule would be dropped, nor that distancing measures would be.


Delay or not, doesn't really matter, the bigger issue is why are cases rising and how to prevent it - 77% of the population have had a shot and 53% are fully vaccinated. If that isn't enough to bring cases to a "safe" level (whatever that might be in their eyes), then what will be ? they need a different plan and I'm dubious that they can actually come up with something plausible at this point.

More people will tire of it, all the credit the government got for a good vaccination program will be squandered because "whats the bloody point of vaccination if we're still restricted?"

Local restrictions are a contentious issue as we saw last year, but I can't see how you can hold up the whole country for spikes in specific areas.

Edited by Crafty_ on Wednesday 9th June 16:07

Edited by Crafty_ on Wednesday 9th June 16:07

[Kermit power]

Zoon said:

Given the sharp rise in cases I don't think it will happen.
As Boris says, they are lead by the data.

But as has been announced today, 80% of adults now have Covid antibodies in their blood, and most of the 20% who don't will be in their twenties and as near as makes no difference immune to the effects of Covid anyway.

There's another 2 weeks between now and the 21st. In the ideal world, the number of new infections will skyrocket in that time, and the number of new hospital admissions will stay flat, allowing the government to say "See - We told you vaccination was the answer" and lift all restrictions.

Even if there's some increase in admissions as well, it would be frankly criminal to continue with the current restrictions. The damage to people's livelihoods and mental health is now far, far outweighing anything that Covid can do, so let's get some priorities straight.

[Colonel Cupcake]

In my area, the last death was on 1st March 2021, there is 1 person in the main regional hospital with covid and the number of daily positive tests is in single figures too.

400 billion blown and absolutely nothing to show for it bar manky blue masks littering every hedgerow.

Far too dangerous to ever have society behave in a normal way.

We all deserve everything that's coming economy-wise. No, that's not true. The children don't and it will be them that will pay for all this, financial and otherwise, over thier lifetimes.

[Biker 1]

Crafty_ said:

Local restrictions are a contentious issue as we saw last year, but I can't see how you can hold up the whole country for spikes in specific areas.

This.
Why should I have to continue to follow these stupid daft rules when my area of Sussex has been around 8 cases/100k or lower for months now?? My only vague hope is that I live in a very blue tory area & the electorate will get grumpy...

[Six Potter]

Quite a lot of pessimism in these parts, I went down the yes route...

I think the data will show that despite the rise in cases due to this "Delta" variant, vaccine efficacy with mean hospitalisations and deaths will stay at low enough levels (fingas crost).

I think the government and public need to acknowedge that we can't stay in perma-lockdown indefinately, if people in the high risk groups refuse the vaccine having been given ample opportunity to have it, then that it rightly their choice, but they will have to bare the burden of risk from the effects of the virus, not the government or wider society. A line has to be drawn somewhere.

[dmahon]

50% of people on my train today had ditched the masks. They are finally losing the crowd whatever they say on the 21st. Sweet relief!

[semisane]

Colonel Cupcake said:

In my area, the last death was on 1st March 2021, there is 1 person in the main regional hospital with covid and the number of daily positive tests is in single figures too.

400 billion blown and absolutely nothing to show for it bar manky blue masks littering every hedgerow.

Far too dangerous to ever have society behave in a normal way.

We all deserve everything that's coming economy-wise. No, that's not true. The children don't and it will be them that will pay for all this, financial and otherwise, over thier lifetimes.

Another PH'er lost the plot

[Six Potter]

Colonel Cupcake said:

We all deserve everything that's coming economy-wise.

What in your opinion is coming economy-wise?

[404 Page not found]

The scientists who definitely aren't milking this for all the funding they can get, will recommend continuing restrictions with a few tweeks. The government will do as they say so it's not their fault guv.
Sadly masks aren't going anywhere. But mask exempt flower lanyard are cheap on ebay...so just buy one of those and enjoy a mask free shopping experience.

[rover 623gsi]

It should go ahead, but it won’t.

[Dagnir]

semisane said:

What hysteria ?

I follow things fairly closely and yet to see anything close to hysteria

Projection me thinks

Ha be'ave!

Slightly exaggerated language perhaps but I was referring to the constant scare mongering in the media that is raising levels of worry amongst easily misled members of the public.

[semisane]

Dagnir said:

semisane said:

What hysteria ?

I follow things fairly closely and yet to see anything close to hysteria

Projection me thinks

Ha be'ave!

Slightly exaggerated language perhaps but I was referring to the constant scare mongering in the media that is raising levels of worry amongst easily misled members of the public.

TBH I watch, BBC , ITV and Sky and I personally find it reasonably balanced.

I avoid twitter, facebook, DM etc - perhaps that's where I am going wrong

[JagLover]

semisane said:

TBH I watch, BBC , ITV and Sky and I personally find it reasonably balanced.

Another poor brainwashed soul.

Turn off the TV and get outside and enjoy the good weather and stop worrying about a virus that is of little threat unless you are already at death's door, and almost no threat whatsoever if you have been vaccinated.

[semisane]

JagLover said:

semisane said:

TBH I watch, BBC , ITV and Sky and I personally find it reasonably balanced.

Another poor brainwashed soul.

Turn off the TV and get outside and enjoy the good weather and stop worrying about a virus that is of little threat unless you are already at death's door, and almost no threat whatsoever if you have been vaccinated.

I think you have taken my post out of context - take another read.

No where have I said I am worrying - I was querying Dagnir :-

Dagnir said:
Government are too weak and lack conviction. They will capitulate to the hysteria as is their way.

I replied

What hysteria ?

I follow things fairly closely and yet to see anything close to hysteria

Projection me thinks

Another poor brain washed PH'er who cant follow a post - feeble

[Dagnir]

semisane said:

TBH I watch, BBC , ITV and Sky and I personally find it reasonably balanced.

I avoid twitter, facebook, DM etc - perhaps that's where I am going wrong

Balanced but consistent scare mongering

I don't use social media or read comics, so couldn't comment but I imagine it's much worse.

[Maximus_Meridius101]

The official line from Whitty and Valance is, we’d rather the phase 4 was delayed by at least a month. Whether BoJo does or not is the thing.