Forum Topic

Coronavirus: London to move into Tier 2

Apparently we have tiers now!I couldn't find definitions on the government web page.Is it the old Tier system as defined below?Tier 1: Government, MP's, SPADS do anything you like.Tier 2: Everyone else - do as you are told.

Ed Robinson ● 1995d38 Comments

OFFICIAL: MPs DID flout 10pm bar curfew but Matt Hancock refused 30 TIMES to say if he was among them as House of Commons bosses are accused of a cover-uphttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8851165/MPs-DID-flout-10pm-bar-curfew-Matt-Hancock-refused-30-TIMES-say-them.htmlI think this answers my original question.

Ed Robinson ● 1993d

Interesting: the Mayor of Liverpool has pointer out; we now have Tier 3A in Liverpool where gyms must close and Tier 3B in Lancashire where gyms can remain open. So much for simplicity and consistency ...

Michael Ixer ● 1994d

John, it was not aimed at any one individual or party.MP Margaret Ferrier has escaped prosecution.The Queen has even has been criticised for not masking up when lockdown has been discussed nationally. (I wouldn't have expected her to be out even. Perhaps another Royal should have masked up in her place). There are lots of examples.It was a general observation on how different rules apply within our society.

Ed Robinson ● 1994d

Ms GuyI collect my two young grandchildren from school and look after them in my home for an hour or so.If we are moving to Tier 2, I will still do this, taking my guidance from the Tier 2 guidelines on the BBC News website which says 'informal childcare may also be provided'.

John Hawkes ● 1994d

Mr RobinsonYou are not having a dig are you at Mr Cummings - serial Covid rule ignorer and Council Tax avoider and Mr Stanley Johnson serial serial Covid rule ignorer and, from his latest biography a thorourly nasty piece of work, whose behaviour as a parent even leads one to have sympathy for his son Boris !

John Hawkes ● 1994d

Michael I suspect now people that can't afford to isolate will simply not take the test.Countries like Singapore dealt with this issue back in March. We are definitely not heading to be the Singapore of Europe!I wonder if there is any evidence that countries that have done better in this pandemic have leaders that have led by example?https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/leading-example-covid-19-infections-highest-levels-government

Ed Robinson ● 1995d

That should have been ... test, trace, isolate ... And I should have added: with follow up to ensure people are isolating when told to.

Michael Ixer ● 1995d

As we head towards colder days it is the ventilation issue that I worry most about. The practice of keeping distance and masks has become almost religious but fresh air hasn't had the same emphasis.Interest article in the Guardian:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/germans-embrace-fresh-air-to-ward-off-coronavirus

Ed Robinson ● 1995d

The human race will always do what they want, we just have to stop playing politics with a pandemic.

Suzanne Taylor ● 1995d

That's an excellent summary of the basics. I think one still needs an effective test, trace, track for those with symptoms or exposed to the virus - not everyone acts rationally all the time - otherwise people wouldn't smoke, drink excessively, eat unhealthy food, have unsafe sex, drive to fast … 

Michael Ixer ● 1995d

First time l have agreed with you but spot on.

Suzanne Taylor ● 1995d

The government rules may be confusing.  Break them, you may get fined or frowned on.But here's some common sense - avoid poorly ventilated spaces, close distancing and crowds. Wear  a mask. Avoid catching it, avoid spreading it. None of this is at all too hard.

Michael Winstanley ● 1995d

Well done, Ed!🙂 Of course we should have a Level 0 - Low (green): Test, Trace, Isolate working; virus contained and under control …

Michael Ixer ● 1995d

Michael - I found it.I was looking on the wrong side of the world and of course I did not allow for the time difference, not the Earth's but the UK lag of 6 months!https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/health-and-disability-services-different-alert-levelshttps://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/21-03-2020/pm-ardern-announces-four-tier-covid-19-alert-system-as-nz-faces-community-spread/

Ed Robinson ● 1995d

That advert actually persuaded me to change to Aviva!!

Sue Hammond ● 1995d

Well that seems to be one Lockdown rule cleared up, now for the rest of them! When I hear about all the guidelines and rules, I think about the Aviva home insurance advert where the man is interrogated about whether his door lock conforms to BS3621.  His answer “I don’t know, nobody knows”.  Sums up the whole mess at the moment.

Martine Guy ● 1995d

Precisely, Martine!

Michael Ixer ● 1995d

So Tier 1 = Medium, Tier 2 = High & Tier 3 = Very High.The tier system was brought in by MSM ahead of the government's announcement. So the gov "high" webpage = Tier 2

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1995d

Maxine and Ed, no probs!  I have had a lifetime of being called Martini, Michelle, Martina and Maxine.  My simple surname causes confusion too.  Funniest moment being called into see a doctor by the name Martini Gooey!

Martine Guy ● 1995d

Michael, presumably we cannot have a pi$$up in a brewery because we would be inside the premises, but meeting 4 friends outside in the beer garden is allowed?  

Martine Guy ● 1995d

Apologies for duplicate but the new interface told me the posting had failed.

Michael Ixer ● 1995d

Mmm ... but that web page was updated on 12 Oct and I thought the alert levels were introduced then? Perhaps some civil servant forgot the Tiers? Anyway, I think it means I can still meet four friend in a pub garden next week? Organising p1$$ups in breweries and all that 🙂

Michael Ixer ● 1995d

Mmm ... but that web page was updated on 12 Oct and I thought the alert levels were introduced then? Perhaps some civil servant forgot the Tiers? Anyway, I think it means I can still meet four friend in a pub garden next week? Organising p1$$ups in breweries and all that 🙂

Michael Ixer ● 1995d

Michael, there is an assumption that Tier 2 is the old "Local COVID alert level: high" i.e without any tweakingStill no mention of Tiers on gov.uk even in the pages that have been updated on the 12th.I have to agree with Ben. It is mid October now and making announcements that impact people and businesses without full documentation being available is just .... I guess the new norm!

Ed Robinson ● 1995d

Don’t worry Martine everyone gets our names mixed up on here 😂

Maxine Campbell ● 1995d

The full regulations for Tier 2 - High - good luck!https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high

Michael Ixer ● 1995d

I just don’t know what or who to believe at the moment.  Nor am I confident about the testing for Coronavirus.  What a mess!

Martine Guy ● 1995d

Confusion has been built into all of this. It will allow the government then to say "we told you what to do, the virus hasn't gone and it's all your fault." If you want to be cynical about it.

Ben Rainbow ● 1995d

Ed, I think this is what this means for parents: Supervised activities are permitted in private homes.  Children’s groups are permitted.  Childcare bubbles for under 14s. However, household mixing is banned indoors. I would have one child from 4 different households inside my home, so presumably this is not allowed? Who knows what is going on? 

Martine Guy ● 1995d

Ed, I think this is what this means for parents: Supervised activities are permitted in private homes.  Children’s groups are permitted.  Childcare bubbles for under 14s. However, household mixing is banned indoors. I would have one child from 4 different households inside my home, so presumably this is not allowed? Who knows what is going on? 

Martine Guy ● 1995d

Ed, I agree about buses.  It is much harder to keep a safe distance on a bus and I have gone round opening the windows.  I think the drivers have a tough job at the moment, but I don’t understand why they are leaving the terminus with windows closed.  I try to use the tube or train if I can because the buses are too crowded.

Martine Guy ● 1995d

Hi Maxine,not sure if this helps:"People in support bubbles can go on meeting as before and informal childcare may also be provided."

Ed Robinson ● 1995d

Apologies Martine. Silly me!

Ed Robinson ● 1995d

Thanks Yvonne,A bit clearer here:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518If only the virus was afraid of spin!Tier 2 just makes a nonsense of the previous restriction on it being 6 both indoors and outdoors.My unofficial observation of buses this morning was that all windows are still not open. It says something about a country that can restrict citizens actions but can't open ALL the windows on buses - never mind opening both sets of doors each time :(

Ed Robinson ● 1995d

I do not understand the rules, but nor does anyone else I have spoken too! Here is my problem, I was going to have 4 children in total at my home after school next week, the children will have mixed together all day at school, do I now have to cancel?  I expect the answer is yes?  

Martine Guy ● 1995d

This article does provide the explanation of the different tiers (tears?) - please scroll downhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54548522

Ivonne Holliday ● 1995d

The governments own scientists have already said it will make very little difference to the spread.

Matt Palmer ● 1995d

Ha! I do not understand how this is at all going to impact the spread from having 6 to now having 2. The people that break it will still break it. How will bars/pubs police that you're from one household? How is meeting two parents for dinner in a restaurant driving the spread of CoVid? Government will spend more and more money on this and we ultimately will just get taxed for the rest of our lives.

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1995d