NICE TO BE OUT!
Sunderland folk so happy to meet again as lockdown eases
People in Sunderland city centre have had their say about lockdown restrictions easing on Monday, March 29 as the “rule of six” returns.
Yesterday marked the end of the “stay at home” rule as lockdown restrictions in England began to ease further.
It means that people can meet outdoors in up to groups of six or two households, as well as taking part in outdoor sports.
People in Sunderland city centre having been giving their opinions on what they think about lockdown restrictions easing.
Chris Elkins, from Hendon, commented on how nice it was to see young people out socialising with each other for the first time in months.
The 59-year-old IT consultant said: “I think that it’s a good thing, everyone wants something to look forward too and it’s lovely to see groups of teenagers out in Mowbray Park having picnics and seeing each other. I’ve felt so sorry for young people and the elderly who are missing out on the social aspects of their lives.”
Secondary school teacher Vicky Foster agreed with lockdown restrictions being eased for the sake of young people.
The 47-year-old added: “It’s a positive as I've seen the effects of lockdown on young people first hand.
"I’ve never seen so many teenagers who are as stressed as I have over the last year or so, the usual pressures of exams have been heightened by the multiple lockdowns and it is great to see them out and about socialising.”
Statistician Peter Moran, from High Barnes, was in the city centre with his wife Rebecca, 39.
He feels that it is the right time to relax restrictions as the data shows it is safe to do so.
The 42-year-old said: “I know how much work and focus is being put into the data and I feel confident in those figures so it feels great that restrictions are being eased.
"I’ve taken the day off work to be able to enjoy it, I’ve been to my parents’ house and sat in their garden, it was lovely to see them.”
School teacher Rebecca added: “It’s the right time to ease things, I’ve been out of the house and working in a school so I can’t imagine how difficult it has been for everyone stuck at home.
"I have confidence in the data and I’m now looking forward for things to ease further so we can go out for a meal to celebrate my upcoming 40th birthday and my son’s 10th birthday."
Brad Oliver from Concord in Washington was also looking ahead to measures easing further on April 12.
The 24-year-old machine operator said: “It’s great that we are getting some normality back, I’m looking forward to taking the kids to the soft play, we’ve been on plenty of walks but I’m now wanting them to have different experiences.”
Not everyone felt like it is the right time to lift restrictions,. Retired Bill Douglas, 72, from Town End Farm, feels that things are being relaxed a little too soon.
He said: “I think it’s a bit early myself, I think we should have waited a little bit longer as nobody knows what is going to happen, there could still be another lockdown yet.”