Further reflections on Covid-19… One thing I’ve become increasingly aware of over recent days/weeks is a strange sense that we’re having to ‘tread water’ until the pandemic is either over or the vaccine becomes available… which effectively means (at least for us, having taken ‘decisions’ on a number of matters) no public transport; no cinema; no theatre; no bars; no restaurants; no cafés (unless the weather is kind and we can sit outside); no concerts; no rugby; trying to void all but the basic shopping; no church (for me); no gathering with friends (indoors); and no hugging. While we’re still meeting up with family (in small numbers and with social distancing), it’s not the quite same… and not meeting up with Iris and Rosa (for example) for bi-weekly after-school meals and the chance to chat and catch up effectively feels like we’re missing out on seeing them grow up. Missing out on a year of their lives (they’re only teenagers for a short time!) and, at the same time, us getting older (and time running out!?) feels like a double-whammy.
Meanwhile, it seems that all our local friends are going about their normal lives – going to restaurants, cafés, cinemas etc – and, with their cars, they have increased flexibility and scope for doing other things too. Meanwhile, I’m currently feeling less and less confident about driving ‘longish’ distances…
With the number of UK cases (and deaths) on a sharp increase, it feels as if a second national lockdown might become inevitable…but when? An immediate 2-3 week ‘firebreak’? A full national lockdown immediately after Christmas/New Year?
Everything continues to be uncertain… planning ahead feels almost impossible. Jobs and the economy are struggling. Will schools remain open? Will ‘vulnerable oldies’ be instructed to self-isolate? People are already raising concerns about mental health issues…
There’s a strong sense that many people will disregard some of the ‘rules’ (why should I both sticking to the guidelines, when I have lots of friends who are ignoring them?)… and, anyway, the ‘rules’ represent government advice rather than a legally-binding ban. The police won’t be able to cope and the worse it gets, the more difficult it becomes to enforce.
It’s going to be a very long, hard Winter for an awful lot of people.
Can I travel from tiers 1 and 2 to tier 3?
The government is advising against people travelling to a “Very High Alert”, or tier 3, area.
“You should avoid travelling to any part of the country subject to very high local Covid alert levels,” it says on the website, plus you should “avoid staying overnight in a very high alert level area if you are resident elsewhere.”
It adds: “You must not stay with anyone you do not live with from a very high alert level area or visit their home.”
However, this is advice rather than a legally binding ban.
Can I travel from tier 3 to tiers 1 and 2?
The government is advising against nearly all travel for those in tier 3 areas.
“You should try to avoid travelling outside the very high alert level area you are in,” and “should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if you are resident in a very high alert level area,” reads the advice.
But it does NOT say anything about what you should do if you DO travel from Tier3 to Tier1… should you go into quarantine/self-isolate for xx days? Well, no, it apparently says nothing at all - because you shouldn't have done it in the first place - but, hey, who cares about such minor details?!
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