People are sick of lockdown but I fear we’re heading for another one
PUBLIC HAVE THEIR SAY ON NEXT STEPS OF GOVERNMENT ROADMAP
TOWNS and cities across the country are once again buzzing with life as the government’s roadmap out of lockdown motors on.
The relaxation of restrictions on April 12 has seen many of us flock to beer gardens, hairdressers and retailers over the past week.
Other non-essential businesses such as gyms and theme parks have also reopened and, if all continues to go to plan, May 17 could see the return of larger social gatherings in an outdoor setting.
Provided infection rates remain low – as well as Covid deaths – indoor hospitality such as cinemas and hotels will also be permitted to open on May 17. We could even see crowds return to live sporting events.
But the one date on everybody’s mind is sure to be June 21, when the final stage of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown is set to implemented.
As part of step four, the government hopes:
All legal limits on social contact can be removed;
Nightclubs can reopen; Restrictions in place on large events (which could come into effect on May 17), such as outdoor performances and live sport, are able be lifted;
Limits on weddings and other ‘life events’ can also be removed.
Put simply, the government is optimistic that life will return to ‘normal’ by June 21. But how likely is that to happen? And what will ‘normal’ look like?
The Examiner took to Huddersfield town centre to ask some residents for their take on the debate.
Ian Gregson, 59, said the success of the vaccine rollout has given him cause for optimism.
“I think there is every chance that it (step four) will happen on June 21,” he said. “I think enough people will be vaccinated.
“That will allow people to go out with a greater sense of reassurance. I am sure we will get a little spike in infections but the people who might suffer badly from the virus should be inoculated.
“I think you will then find that there will not be the same pressure on hospitals.”
Asked what ‘normal’ could look like, Ian said: “It might be a new normal. It might well be that there are places where you still need to wear a mask and keep socially distanced.
“But I hope some things can return to something like what we are used to.”
Alan Walker, 77, shared Ian’s optimism, but warned he feels the UK’s vaccine rollout will have to be matched by other countries before holiday makers are able to jet away.
“I hope we are back to normal on June 21 – it will be a bit of a letdown if it does not come off,” he said.
“I think this last lockdown has even got to the people who are usually pretty buoyant. Everyone has had enough.
“Hopefully we are able to get rid of social distancing, because it is restrictive but we need to get the vaccination programme going on worldwide. I can’t see us getting back to ‘normal’ until that happens.
I hope we are back to normal on June 21 – it
will be a bit of a letdown if it does not
come off.
“It’s no good us sorting ourselves out and then countries like Brazil still being in the thick of it.”
But Tracy Rodgerson, 42, fears another lockdown may well be in place before all restrictions are removed. Asked if the June 21 deadline is realistic, Tracy said: “No, I think we will be in another lockdown. There are so many people out and about now that I just think infections will rise again. As soon as everything opened up on Monday, everyone was queuing to get into Primark, hairdressers and other shops.”
Despite her worries, Tracy said she understood why people were so keen to leave the house.
“People are sick of it (lockdown) now,” said Tracy. “They have had enough of isolating and being away from friends and family. They want to go out and socialise – so do I.”
On a potential return to ‘normality,’ Tracy said: “I still think there will be marshalling at shops and I think we will have to wear masks for a while. “I don’t think we will go back to what it was before, but this is just normal now.”
Rod Jackson said he would be comfortable with restrictions being completely eased as he will soon be receiving his second vaccine.
But he added: “I don’t think it will be back to normal on June 21.
“I think there will still be a lot of restrictions. I think people will still have to wear their masks. I think it will take a bit of time to get back to the ‘real’ normal. It might be different in 2022 if we all get vaccinated and it drops away. But I think coronavirus will be like the flu, it will come back every year. I think it’s something we are going to have to learn to live with.”