The main infections came from private parties and hookah lounges around here. And those spread withing the big households in small living spaces in the poorer area. The government reacted too late and now it's been spreading at a rate we haven't seen since somewhere halfway through may and half of those are from Antwerp

 

It makes sense and looks like that is following the pattern of the rest of Europe including the UK too. I honestly don't think it is going to be too long again until Europe just stops domestic travel between states. I certainly couldn't see it continuing again like it is now in the winter.

 

Like you say the key to stopping the spread is catching the outbreaks early, but it's hard to get a grip on them if people are in and out of the country.

Given how much the government are being criticised for this being a 'kneejerk' reaction NOW (when we know a lot more about the virus) could you imagine the outrage if it had brought in that national lockdown earlier before the first deaths were reported?

 

I'm in the agreement that if you personally decide to go on holiday now then you just have to accept the risk of being quarantined upon return. I have a trip planned to Bulgaria in September but I'm thinking it's just not worth the hassle now unfortunately. I'm very hesitant against any international travel for at least another year if not more.

Given how much the government are being criticised for this being a 'kneejerk' reaction NOW (when we know a lot more about the virus) could you imagine the outrage if it had brought in that national lockdown earlier before the first deaths were reported?

 

I'm in the agreement that if you personally decide to go on holiday now then you just have to accept the risk of being quarantined upon return. I have a trip planned to Bulgaria in September but I'm thinking it's just not worth the hassle now unfortunately. I'm very hesitant against any international travel for at least another year if not more.

 

I think it's the right thing to do, otherwise people still find loopholes which doesn't solve the problem.

 

I'm a natural traveller and I know not being able to go on holiday sucks, but I'm also of the school of thought that if you choose to go abroad anywhere at the moment you have to run up the risks and consider the fact you might get stuck there or have to quarantine when you return. I think until we start seeing a vaccine if will be difficult to travel interationally, but fingers crossed by September we should know so at least Summer 2021 can go ahead.

Northern Ireland has now gone 15 days without a COVID death.

Well I think everyone coming back from holiday should quarantine. Even if it as a 'low risk country', airports are a bigger risk factor I think as people travelling between all different countries obviously congregate in airports.

Edited July 29, 20204 yr by Βuzzjack

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/...less-partygoers

 

 

Northern Ireland has just released its Track & Trace app. Was able to get it installed just as it went live, although the website's now rather slow. 2,000 people have downloaded the app already.

What do you search for on your apps?

So schools are definitely opening in Scotland in two-three weeks, for the last time I'm coming back from the summer on Friday 14th then it'll be full time. It seems we will have to social distance as much as possible outside the classroom, I guess we'll have bubbles we won't have to in.

What do you search for on your apps?

 

StopCOVID NI. Up to 19,000 downloads so far. Not sure how many people need to use it for it to be of really useful benefit, although I imagine getting to 6 figures would be a good start.

Scotland confirmed it’s next in line to build on the Irish app. Due for release later in the autumn.

Major restrictions announced in the North of England.. seems like it is welcomed by all the major leaders.

Oh, it's "northern" England. Thank god I live in that southern city of Newcastle upon Tyne. :lol:

Don't even understand the point of announcing it, when no one is going to abide by it, no enforcement will be made and they are still allowing people to meet in pubs/restaurants. If they really think people are going to listen to this and not see their family etc they have got another thing coming. It's actually laughable.

 

I for one, will not be abiding by these rules as I have done so strictly throughout and if they are still allowing us to meet other households in a pub or restaurant , then I can do so for free in my home :).

They’ve announced it to say that they did later down the line. They’re already blaming the people and will continue to do so.

 

 

Don't even understand the point of announcing it, when no one is going to abide by it, no enforcement will be made and they are still allowing people to meet in pubs/restaurants. If they really think people are going to listen to this and not see their family etc they have got another thing coming. It's actually laughable.

 

I for one, will not be abiding by these rules as I have done so strictly throughout and if they are still allowing us to meet other households in a pub or restaurant , then I can do so for free in my home :).

 

It's basically a threat, as probably shows they will lockdown if the rate does not slow down.

 

I *guess* the theory is that in bars and restauraunts you can social distance, but in someone's house you shouldn't. It's a wide area, especially in Greater Manchester. Think it's more aimed at middle class teenagers as I'm sure in quite a few affluent areas in Greater Manchester the rate is increasing.. and also part me thinks its also done to stop Eid gatherings looking at the target areas.

Will they also start enforcing those restrictions in 2-3 weeks time? :)

When I travelled to Spain a fortnight ago each passenger had to fill in a form including details of who you are, where you're staying and recent health questions. It gave you a QR code and if you got there and didn't have this you had to join the long queue to fill in a paper version of this form before you're allowed through passport control.

 

Upon returning to the UK I completed the equivalent form for the UK, I thought I'd better as I'm supposed to quarantine for a fortnight, yet there wasn't a single check about anything at the airport, it was like walking through an airport would've been 12 months ago, only quieter. Maybe it's because I'd come back from an area that is such low risk and priority would've been given if I'd come back from Catalonia, but it does make me feel that this fourteen day quarantine is even more completely and utterly pointless.

It's basically a threat, as probably shows they will lockdown if the rate does not slow down.

 

I *guess* the theory is that in bars and restauraunts you can social distance, but in someone's house you shouldn't. It's a wide area, especially in Greater Manchester. Think it's more aimed at middle class teenagers as I'm sure in quite a few affluent areas in Greater Manchester the rate is increasing.. and also part me thinks its also done to stop Eid gatherings looking at the target areas.

It has been reported that Eid is one of the reasons for the change. If so, it makes the timing of the announcement even more ridiculous. At the very least, it should have been made in time for the 6:00 news bulletins yesterday. The government also don't appear to have briefed the opposition, a breach of the usual protocol.

 

The announcement just before Eid makes Johnson's statement about hoping things will be back to normal by Christmas even more stupid. We all HOPE things will be back to normal by then, but I somehow doubt they will be. If yesterday is anything to go by, expect an announcement that buggers up many families' Christmas arrangements some time late in the evening of 23 December.

It has been reported that Eid is one of the reasons for the change. If so, it makes the timing of the announcement even more ridiculous. At the very least, it should have been made in time for the 6:00 news bulletins yesterday. The government also don't appear to have briefed the opposition, a breach of the usual protocol.

 

The announcement just before Eid makes Johnson's statement about hoping things will be back to normal by Christmas even more stupid. We all HOPE things will be back to normal by then, but I somehow doubt they will be. If yesterday is anything to go by, expect an announcement that buggers up many families' Christmas arrangements some time late in the evening of 23 December.

 

Johnson's statement was ridiculous, it would take a mass shy of events for there to be full normality. There might be shades of it by September if this vaccine is proven to be effective, but it will be long rollout before there are enough people vaccinated.

 

We are just going to have to get used to the fast lead times for announcements. I don't see any other way around it.