UK to ban mass gatherings in coronavirus U-turn

[Bruce Stephens]

UK to ban mass gatherings in coronavirus U-turn

Measure likely to come into effect next week after sporting bodies and others act unilaterally

www.theguardian.com

Mass gatherings are to be banned across the UK from next weekend, the government has announced after Boris Johnson’s cautious approach to the coronavirus outbreak was overtaken by care homes, sporting bodies and even the Queen taking matters into their own hands.​

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On Thursday, despite formally moving to the delay stage of the coronavirus action plan and warning that many more families would “lose loved onesbefore their time”, the prime minister stopped short of calling for mass events to be cancelled or schools to be closed. There was no specific advice for how older people should protect themselves, aside from avoiding going on cruises.​

 

[Eddy Edson]

Better late than later.

I'm guessing that testing still needs to be radically expanded if the UK at peak is going to look more like South Korea than Italy.



Personally, I'm p*ssed that Oz seems to have lost its chance to look like HK. Seemed on track for a while ...

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Better late than later.

Except I'm inclined to believe that large outdoor events aren't particularly good places to spread this thing. Though travelling to and from on public transport, and drinking in pubs around them might well be. (Maybe that's really the rationale.) It'll be interesting to find how they defend what seems like an obvious U-turn.

 

[Robin]

Except I'm inclined to believe that large outdoor events aren't particularly good places to spread this thing. Though travelling to and from on public transport, and drinking in pubs around them might well be. (Maybe that's really the rationale.) It'll be interesting to find how they defend what seems like an obvious U-turn.

I thought the rationale behind banning mass events was to free up front line ambulance and other health services so they can be deployed to deal with Covid19, rather than it stopping the spread.

 

[grovesy]

They are next expand

I thought the rationale behind banning mass events was to free up front line ambulance and other health services so they can be deployed to deal with Covid19, rather than it stopping the spread.

I think they stole that one off Nicole Sturgeon said that on Thursday. As she said it I thought it made complete sense to me.

 

[Docb]

I thought the rationale behind banning mass events was to free up front line ambulance and other health services so they can be deployed to deal with Covid19, rather than it stopping the spread.

Yes, that was my understanding and it makes sense. Only the publicity seeking media would headline it as a U-turn, its always been on the agenda.

 

[mikeyB]

What doesn't make sense is keeping schools open. If that isn’t a mass gathering, I don’t know what is.

 

[trophywench]

All them kids with their heads together getting nits and God knows what else, then wanting to be cuddled …...

I hope all the family with tiddlers stay away, much as we love em.

 

[Sally71]

I work in a primary school, half the kids are coughing and no sign yet that we are going to be closed, although my daughter and I are waiting on tenterhooks for that to happen! The children all seem to have heard of the virus but still think it's funny to spit in each other’s faces and on Friday the kitchen staff had to throw a load of cakes away because two five year olds thought it would be a great game to push each other’s faces into them! 😱 They keep being made to go and wash their hands but who knows whether they do it properly, especially when set to the toilet unsupervised🙄

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I thought the rationale behind banning mass events was to free up front line ambulance and other health services so they can be deployed to deal with Covid19, rather than it stopping the spread.

I thought it was both. I've no sense of how much cancelling such events actually helps in terms of relevant health services. (My hunch would be not very much, but making policy by my hunches would be a very bad idea.)

 

[Ralph-YK]

Except I'm inclined to believe that large outdoor events aren't particularly good places to spread this thing. Though travelling to and from on public transport, and drinking in pubs around them might well be. (Maybe that's really the rationale.) It'll be interesting to find how they defend what seems like an obvious U-turn.

I'm sure on the radio, someone mention all the fans being packed close together a pub (watching the game on tv) would be worse than them being at the event.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I got a text last night, changing a GP appointment to a phone appointment. I've still to go to the Jobcentre the same day. Watch them ring at the same time!

 

[grovesy]

I thought it was both. I've no sense of how much cancelling such events actually helps in terms of relevant health services. (My hunch would be not very much, but making policy by my hunches would be a very bad idea.)

The events have Police and Ambulance service personal at the grounds, so it is spreading those resources out.

 

[nonethewiser]

Strange weekend with no footie.

 

[Sally71]

Strange weekend with no footie.

LOL I just mentioned somewhere else that that's a perfectly normal weekend for me!

 

[trophywench]

And at our house - but we both enjoy watching all other sports and have missed seeing all the cancelled rugby 6N matches and usually 'soon' the Cup Final etc.

 

[mikeyB]

I’ve been quite happy this weekend watching snooker on Eurosport - very quiet, no spectators - and I’m currently watching live Rugby League. Up North, they’ve got their priorities right.

 

[SB2015]

How many people do they define as a mass?
Interesting times.

Today has been cancellation day: Film Society, two courses I was due to go on, lunches, and two gigs for our band. This evening we were due to have two friends round, but one has been working with someone who has just been confirmed as having the virus. Lots of food for us now and I can get on with more weaving.

When things are getting cancelled it is amazing how much time you have on your hands.
At present lots of things to fill time, and the list is growing.

 

[nonethewiser]

I’ve been quite happy this weekend watching snooker on Eurosport - very quiet, no spectators - and I’m currently watching live Rugby League. Up North, they’ve got their priorities right.

Strange scenes, matches with no refs players emptying pockets to replace balls for opponents.

World Snooker saying world champs is going ahead in Sheffield, even tour champs next week in Wales is on, all could change over next few days, shame if world champs is cancelled as so look forward to it.

 

[Drummer]

My son seems to be prone to fathering children due to be born at inconvenient times - the first one was due the week they were to be married, so it had to be rescheduled, the second - that was the same week as final exams - there were similar shenanigans for the third and fourth and now the fifth is due to be induced this coming Wednesday - he has said that he'll put a stop to it as soon as this one is safely delivered - it was all arranged last year, but they found out they were expecting the week before. It keeps life interesting.