Here we go again.

September 2020.

Covid 19 returns - well it never went away, although the Daily mail is still saying we are in day 188 of lockdown. I have to read it for research purposes you understand

Covid 19 is on the rise again due (in my opinion and we all know that is the one that counts) to people going abroad, people not social distancing, people having parties, going to night clubs and flocking onto crowded beaches etc etc. Basically having a damn good time. Well folks it's coming back to haunt you, so we all have to pay the price for the galavanting. I am not saying that I have been whiter than white maybe a little grey around the edges I admit. So for those of you that did DIS the rules no whining that we are under tighter restrictions please.

This is happening a whole month earlier that I predicted (Must dust crystal ball).

The heavy stuff just for the record.

As from the 24th of September 202 new rules were enforced.

The rule of 6. No more than 6 people can meet up in or outdoors. In Pubs and restaurants too.

Pubs and restaurants to close doors at 10pm.

Face coverings to be worn at all times in enclosed public places unless seated for eating or drinking.

• HANDS - Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.

• FACE - Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

• SPACE - Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.

• Businesses will need to display the official NHS QR code posters so that customers can ‘check-in’ at different premises using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details once the app is rolled out nationally (from 24 September).

• To help contain the virus, office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter. Where an employer, in consultation with their employee, judges an employee can carry out their normal duties from home they should do so. Public sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary. Anyone else who cannot work from home should go to their place of work. The risk of transmission can be substantially reduced if COVID-19 secure guidelines are followed closely. Extra consideration should be given to those people at higher risk

The number of new infections is rising daily; deaths are rising too but more slowly. Most of the new infections are within the age group 18-24. Saturday saw over 6000 new cases in a day. The R number is between 1.2 – 1.5 but could be higher in places that are in a higher restriction zone.

Areas in the UK that are on higher restrictions are 

• Birmingham

• Solihull

• Sandwell

• Pendle

• Oldham

• Blackburn with Darwen

• Bradford

• Rochdale

• Manchester

• Bolton

• Tameside

• Trafford

• Bury

• Preston

• Salford

• Leicester

• Kirklees

• Calderdale

• Durham

• Gateshead

• Newcastle

• Northumberland

• North Tyneside

• South Tyneside

• Sunderland

• Caerphilly County

• Rhondda Cynon Taf

• Glasgow City

• East Renfrewshire

• Renfrewshire

• East Dunbartonshire

• West Dunbartonshire

• North Lanarkshire

• South Lanarkshire

Further places are on the watch list this includes London.

The media is having another field day claiming that Christmas is cancelled and University students will be locked in their rooms for the festive period. Don't they spend most of the time in their rooms when they are home anyway?

There is no doubt that the spread is worse in the north of the country. There is talk of another lockdown but hopefully it will just be in local areas.

Getting a test done seems to be a problem again, but mainly in the areas where the spread is more prevalent, well that makes sense. 

Supermarkets are issuing limits on toilet rolls and flour etc as stockpiling has begun again. Surely some people must still have a ton of loo rolls and flour from the last time. 

Hopefully people will once again behave and we can return to a semi normal life soon.

Warning if there are more than 6 people in your household or if we get a lockdown Father Christmas won't be allowed down anyone’s chimney this year. Come to think of it I wonder how the Elves are managing with the social distancing?

We have been out and about in the past couple of weeks, all above board and socially distanced rest assured. I will update the diary as soon as possible but it’s a busy gardening time of year!

 

Stay safe for Santa’s sake. (you heard it here 1st)