We can finally embrace our friends and family once again and even meet indoors, but now is no time to drop our guard against Covid
Tears were shed, reunions were joyful and emotions ran high on Monday as friends and family were finally able to hug each other after six months apart.
From now on, up to six people or two households are able to get together indoors, meaning shivering outside is (hopefully) a thing of the past.
And how we celebrated. We finally got to stay at our parents’ homes again, enjoy a restaurant meal with friends and do all the fun things we used to do, such as go to the cinema and theatre.
It almost feels as if Covid is a thing of the past. But it really isn’t – and that’s why it is as important as ever to guard against the virus to protect us against a third wave.
That means sticking to the new rules and also respecting the familiar mantra of ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’.
That’s because even though we have a fantastic vaccine programme and testing is available for everyone, around one-in-three people with Covid-19 show no symptoms.
This means they could be spreading the virus unknowingly. So it’s important to be cautious while enjoying our new-found freedoms. Here are some of the ways people and businesses are celebrating.
‘I’M COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS TO SEEING MUM AGAIN’
When Carmelah Hulse waved her mother goodbye in February last year, the hospital nurse had no idea they wouldn’t see each other again for 15 months.
‘Even with me working in the NHS, I didn’t think coronavirus would be as serious as it has been,’ she says. ‘Normally we’d see each other every couple of months. When restrictions eased last summer, I didn’t want to take the risk because of where I worked. Then we went into tier five over Christmas and we couldn’t meet up. I was so upset.’
But today Carmelah, husband Daniel and children Ethan, nine, and Megan, five, are driving from their home in Stockport to see her mother Gina in north London for two nights.
‘I’m so excited. Mum’s always been there for me, and I love her to bits. We’ve talked on the phone and video-called, but it’s not the same.
‘I’ve been counting down the days. We’re taking no risks – we’re doing regular rapid Covid tests, and haven’t socialised with friends in ages.
‘It’s going to be very emotional, there’ll be lots of long hugs and I’ll probably cry – and she’ll ask why! I can’t wait. I miss her so much.’
What are the new rules in England?
From now on….
- We can resume close contact with our friends and family including hugging. Here is what else will change…
- Indoor entertainment, attractions and indoor hospitality will reopen so we can enjoy eating in restaurants again and going to cinemas, bowling alleys, museums, the theatre and sporting events.
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs will open again with overnight stays allowed in private homes for groups of up to six people or two households.
- Exercises classes and organised indoor adult group sport will resume.
- Weddings, christenings, wakes and other commemorative life events can take place with up to 30 attendees in Covid-secure indoor settings.
- Care-home residents can have up to five regular visitors, with up to two at one time or in a single day (in addition to their essential care giver).
- Care-home residents can undertake low-risk activities, such as a walk in the park, without having to self-isolate for 14 days on their return.
- Some larger events such as conferences, shows, concerts and sports events will reopen with limited capacity.
- Indoor events: Up to 1,000 attendees or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower.
- Outdoor Events: Up to 4,000 attendees or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower.
- Large outdoor seated events: Up to 10,000 attendees or 25 per cent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower.
‘WE CAN’T WAIT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AGAIN’
When the Crystal Maze Experience opened its doors again yesterday, Roisin Donnellan and her friends were some of the first in the queue.
The three couples had each booked a day off work and first met up for lunch in a restaurant before taking on some of the TV game show’s most fiendish challenges.
‘We bought the tickets at the beginning of last year – three of us all have birthdays in February and March – but we couldn’t go because Covid hit,’ explains Roisin, 37. ‘We’re all Nineties kids, and loved the show back in the day, so we were keen to do it.’
The couples, who met through NCT classes, all live near each other in south-west London and managed to meet up outside recently, but not indoors.
‘During the real lockdown months, we didn’t see each other at all, which was really, really difficult – I missed the support we all give each other and getting each other through the more difficult times,’ says Roisin, who works in recruitment.
So once the reopening date was set, they rebooked their Crystal Maze Experience tickets.
‘It feels a bit weird,’ says mother-of-two Roisin, ‘but we’re really excited about seeing everyone indoors and being warm and not having to worry about the weather and being cold.
‘And we’re looking forward to doing something fun and different – it’s nice to do something as adults, without the children.’
‘WE’LL BE A BIT EMOTIONAL!
While London’s Tower Bridge has been opening and closing for tall ships throughout lockdown, its famous doors haven’t been open to the public since mid-December.
That all changed this week when we were once more invited inside to cross the Thames via its suspended glass walkway and view the incredible engine room.
‘Last year when we reopened after the first lockdown, we were all a bit emotional, and I’m sure it’ll be the same this year too,’ says marketing manager Amy O’Rourke.
‘Last year, when we reopened, we had 20 people waiting outside and it was a lovely feeling that people wanted to come in again.
‘This year, we’re very excited and there’s a really positive energy with everyone looking forward to reopening – we’ve missed that unique experience we have with the public, for them to come inside and engage with us.’
There’ll be plenty of hand sanitising stations for visitors, who’ll be asked to socially distance and sign up for test and trace, while staff will be regularly tested for Covid and wear PPE.
Just 1,500 people will be allowed in daily – mostly booking ahead online – compared to the usual 4,000. And there’s a one-way system through the stunning 126-year-old building.
‘You go up the north tower, across the walkway – with its iconic views of the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Monument and the BT Tower – then down the south tower to the engine rooms,’ says Amy.
‘Customers are saying it’s more special with fewer people, it’s calmer and you have more time and the place to yourself. The experience is unique.’
Don’t throw caution to the wind!
While it’s tempting to think the Covid crisis is over as life begins to get back to normal, it’s important to remember the threat is still there.
When you do meet up with friends and family, keep in mind that the virus is spread by close contact with other people – such as hugging and face-to-face conversations – and also by prolonged contact. So try to keep your distance and limit the time you spend with others.
Even though we can now meet indoor in groups of six people or as two households, it’s still best to stay outside because there’s less risk of catching Covid as fresh air blows the particles away.
Remember that some people are more vulnerable than others, so exercise caution with the elderly or people with underlying conditions.
And begin testing yourself for coronavirus twice a week to stop the spread. You can pick up rapid Covid tests from participating chemists and Covid test centres or order them online from gov.uk.
Finally remember: HANDS, FACE, SPACE, FRESH AIR.
HANDS:
Wash your hands more often using soap and water for 20 seconds and dry them thoroughly.
Use sanitiser outside your home, especially as you enter a building and after you have had contact with surfaces.
Avoid touching your face.
FACE:
If you’re indoors with people you don’t normally meet where social distancing is difficult, wear a face covering.
Remember the other places you’re legally required to wear a mask unless you’re exempt – on public transport, in shops, pubs, gyms and certain other settings.
SPACE:
Minimise how many people you are in close contact with and for how long.
Keep social distancing when in a public place.
FRESH AIR:
When friends and family visit, open the windows and let the fresh air in to help blow virus particles away.
This article is part of a paid-for partnership with the UK Government
Information relevant for readers in England only.
from metro.co.uk
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