CORONABOBS ISOLATION DAY 74 – Diary of a Self-Isolator 28.5.2020
jeanniejeanniejeannie.co.uk BLOG 30th May 2020
CORONABOBS ISOLATION DAY 74 – Diary of a Self-Isolator Thursday 28th May 2020
Here’s all the things you can do from June 1 – and those you still can’t
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a “cautious” easing of lockdown in England, but what has actually changed?
The main change to the rules means small social gatherings are now permitted, but Mr Johnson also confirmed alterations regarding schools and retail businesses at the Downing Street press conference on Thursday.
He confirmed that all five tests required for the next phase of restrictions to begin have been met, meaning more pupils can return to school and outdoor retail and car showrooms can open from Monday in England.
Mr Johnson outlined that people would be able to see “both parents at once, or both grandparents at once” in what he said would be a “long-awaited and joyful moment” for many.
Schools
England’s primary schools will widen the number of pupils they are taking.
The plan will see classrooms reopen in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6. Years 2 to 5 would return later in June.
More than two dozen councils with more than 2,000 primary schools between them have warned they may not reopen on June 1.
And the government has admitted schools won’t open in a “uniform” way across the country.
So if you are in any doubt, you should check in with your child’s schools about their plans.
Secondary pupils in years 10 and 12, could go back in some limited form a few weeks later, but secondary schools are not expected to open fully until September.
Shops – June 1 – Outdoor markets – Car showrooms
This will happen from June 1 onwards, “as soon as they are able to meet the COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.”
June 15 – ALL other non-essential retail can reopen from this date including (but not limited to):
Clothes shops
Shoe shops
Toy shops
Furniture shops
Bookshops
Electronics
Tailors
Auction houses
Photography studios
Indoor markets
Friends and family
Outdoor meetings will be limited to six people
From Monday, groups of up to six people can meet outside.
Those from different households must stay two metres apart from each other, in line with social distancing rules.
People will also be allowed to meet in gardens and other private outdoor spaces.
Boris Johnson said that, to best control the virus, people should avoid seeing people from too many households in quick succession.
He also reiterated that people should not be inside the homes of their friends and families, unless it is to access the garden.
The Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said that if people needed to use the toilet while in someone’s garden then all surfaces should be wiped down afterwards.
He also warned about the importance of washing hands – especially if people are potentially handing items such as during a BBQ.
Shielding
Johnson said it was too early for the most vulnerable, who have been asked to “shield” themselves to avoid infection, to be allowed greater social interactions.
He said they were looking at how to make the lives of the clinically vulnerable easier and was hoping to have more to say soon.
Chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty offered the prospect at the Downing Street briefing on Thursday that infection levels may be low enough for them to leave home shortly.
“And we will get to a stage, we hope relatively soon, where the absolute risk of people has gone down to a low enough level it will be possible in stages for people to leave shielding,” he said.
Prof Whitty stressed that it was number of infections that need to come down rather than the “R” rate of transmission in order to reduce the risk of infection to the vulnerable.
Cafes and restaurants
Cafes and restaurants and other so-called “higher-risk businesses and public places” must remain closed until the beginning of July at the earliest, the latest official guidance says.
They may be able to reopen slightly sooner if they have outside seating areas that can be properly distanced.
But the vast majority will be closed for some time.
The current social distancing rules of 2m make it almost impossible for many of these outlets to operate. Although some have switched to providing take aways.
Pubs
Despite earlier advice that pubs would have to wait longer than even restaurants and cafes, pubs were thrown a lifeline last week.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said he wanted pubs to “tentatively start gradually opening” in July with social distancing in place.
Meanwhile, scientists have warned some social distancing rules may have to remain until there’s a vaccine, making much of pub life impossible.
Staycations
The Government do however have hopes holidaymakers might be able to take UK staycations from July.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has previously insisted he “would love to get the tourism sector up as quickly as we possibly can”. He continued: “We’ve set this very ambitious plan to try and get it up and running by the beginning of July.”
Dentists
Dental practices in England have been told they can reopen from June 8, if they put in place appropriate measures.
In a letter to all practices, NHS England’s chief dental officer, Sara Hurley, said that “today, we are asking that all dental practices commence opening from Monday June 8 for all face-to-face care, where practices assess that they have the necessary IPC and PPE requirements in place”.
It is the first time that practices have been given a reopening date since all routine dental care in England was suspended on 25 March.
Hairdressers and beauty salons
Sadly this one is not on the cards for a while.
The government hasn’t included hair salons, beauty parlours or tattoo studios in the list of businesses that can reopen on 15 June.
While many people have turned to DIY haircuts at home, there is growing anecdotal evidence that people are arranging appointments with professionals prepared to break the lockdown rules.
Others are doling out cutting advice over video.
But many in the industry are frustrated that they do not have a date to work towards.
A REMINDER (IN CASE YOU NEED IT) OF WHAT BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT
Following the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the world in 2020, the U.K. responded by implementing a series of stringent measures from mid-March onwards. Three days after ordering schools across the country to close indefinitely, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced strict social distancing measures on March 23, which were extended a further three weeks on April 16. These include a total ban on public gatherings of more than two people, the prohibition of travel other than for essential work and medical reasons, and that people are not to leave their homes other than to carry out one form of exercise daily. On May 10, the government set out guidelines on how the country would exit the lockdown, including plans to gradually ease social restrictions with time.
As the nationwide lockdown continues amid rising spring temperatures across the U.K.
We filled our day by Mamma getting her tyres renewed in anticipation for being able to travel to a staycation later in the year (after the announcement). We walked 3.5 miles in beautiful sunshine fanned by a cooling breeze. Mamma got a little sunburn on the shoulders. We called to see our grandsons but stayed two metres away. Are we allowed to call? I don’t know, I’m confused! Mamma did a Church meeting in the evening on Zoom.
TV wise we watched The Real Marigold Hotel documentary. Sadly the last in an excellent series and all about India. I long to go to India but with my camera.
DON’T FORGET TO LAUGH EVERYDAY ESPECIALLY WHILST IN ISOLATION
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE DAY
Put on the right pants.
“Put on your positive pants.”
.HAPPINESS IS…
Happiness is…easing out of lockdown – or is it?
GRANDAD’S ONE LINER JOKE OF THE DAY
“I have the world’s largest collection of seashells, you may have seen it, I keep it scattered on beaches all over.” – Unknown
LOVE IS…
Love is…with or without you
5 Things To Be Grateful For During Lockdown/Coronavirus
We are grateful Lockdown gives us a time…
- A time for walking in sunshine…a time for lying in sunshine
- A time for blue skies nothing but blue skies…a time for fluffy cotton wool clouds in the blue skies
- A time to listen to the birds…a time to listen to the breeze rustling the leaves in the trees
- A time for light…a time for dark
- A time for dawn…a time for dusk
TOTAL STAIRWAY TO EVERST CLIMB CHALLENGE
DAY 54 18 Times – 144 Feet Cumulative Total 8,127 Feet
HORRIBLE LITTLE NUMBERS
Country Confirmed cases Deaths
1 US 1,747,087 102,836
2 UK 272,607 38,243
3 Italy 232,248 33,229
4 France 183,943 28,666
5 Brazil 465,166 27,878
6 Spain 238,564 27,121
7 Belgium 58,186 9,453
8 Mexico 84,627 9,415
9 Germany 183,025 8,519
10 Iran 146,668 7,677
UK deaths yesterday 324
Global cases
Updated 30 May at 10:44 local
Confirmed 5,919,364 +115,948
Deaths 364,459 +4,668
Recovered 2,490,221 +90,974
©2020 Phil M Robinson