I’m waiting in apprehension about possible lock down in parts of North East England tomorrow, including the area that I live. I have heard that Liverpool is going to have the highest restriction which could last up to 6 months. If I read correctly in what the highest restriction could mean apart from certain work places closing, it could also mean not being able to travel out of that area that you live unless it’s for an essential reason. If it happens in the town where I live, the most worrying thing that could affect me would mean not being able to get out birdwatching outside of the town where I live close to Newcastle. Has anyone else the same uncertainties about the announcement tomorrow and if like me could possibly be put in to higher restrictions in an area where this could happen. How do you feel. I don’t know how I would cope if that did indeed happen later this week for up to 6 months possibly of not being able to travel beyond the town where I live. Has anyone else the same concerns. I’ve taken all the safety precautions particularly when travelling on local transport and at local birdwatching areas. It will be interesting how others feel if they live in an area if this might them in the area where they live!
Sorry that you will be in the categories that are going to have further restrictions Ian. It is very difficult times that we are living through and will be for some time. Every few weeks there are more changes, we seem to be going back and forth with the restrictions. Up here we are now not allowed in others homes but can go into the garden. Pubs and restaurants closed at 6pm but can serve alcohol outside until 10pm. I could not go into my parents house to celebrate my dad's birthday last Monday but could sit outside at a 2m distance and could go for food with them and sit only 1m apart! I am now back working from home 2 days and 1 in the surgery, to try and avoid too much mixing. I think the next to come will be a restriction on the travel. We live in a small village on the North Coast 500 route, the traffic this year is unbelievable with camper vans and tourers especially, it is like a motorway, constant traffic. Outwith Covid this would be fantastic for tourism, shops, hotels, BB, activities, but not just now as you don't know where the folk have travelled from and how careful they are being. The big problem is that folk who are camping, biking and where some sites are still not open for tourers, are dumping there own human waste all over the place!! Hope you manage to find somewhere to go out birding Ian but the main thing, to everyone, is to keep safe and well and keep posting on the community. We will all be here for each other, keeping spirits up and having some good old banter. It will help get us through, I am sure. CL.
I’ve heard earlier on the BBC Radio 4 hour long news programme at 5.00pm that a parliamentary committee have recommended that North East England and a few other area’s in North West England have been recommended to be put into the very high restrictions. Haven’t seen elsewhere to confirm if that is 100% correct!