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I was going to pen a satire for a change about the UK, but events here are moving and changing so fast that it is beyond satire.
I can’t comment on the latest regulations because I don’t understand them.
I have been able to drive 10 miles to my office and work from there, but now I am expected to work from home. Two weeks ago, the message was to go to the office and work as normal.
All pubs and restaurants are to close by 10pm, probably on the grounds that COVID rests at night. All that has done is to cause a huge crowd of people spilling out into the streets, bus stops and stations, ignoring social distancing. Nostalgia is wonderful: flashes of the “six o’clock swill” come to mind.
The City of Westminster has appointed City Inspectors, and looking resplendent in their blue Hi-Viz tabards (to distinguish then from the run of the mill busybodies in yellow), they were observed in non-social distancing groups, patrolling Soho post 10pm, peering into letterboxes to check that no one was inside indulging in acts of social enjoyment. (They obviously have no experience of West Coast lock-ins, judging by the amateurish approach to their task).
My part of the UK is now infested with council busy bodies decked out in yellow Hi-Viz tabards described as “Covid Wardens”, Covid Marshalls” and in one memorable comment by “Police sources” as “Covid Wombles”.
In a situation tailor-made for confrontation, they have no enforcement powers but can merely offer guidance as to how people use the pedestrian one-way systems, explain what 2 metres is and give general advice on how to wear a mask. Other than that, no one is sure whether they are limited to observation outside, or whether they can enter buildings as well. The police, in general, say they will probably be too busy to respond to any calls from the “Wombles” who are reported to be on a pay scale of up to 30,000 GBP.
James Delingpole is quoted
“How did such a bunch of totalitarian hysterics ever gain such untrammelled power to impose such draconian measures on a first-world economy when we supposedly have a parliamentary system — and an upper chamber — designed to put a check on such deranged extremism?”
which seems a fair comment.
We now have a ban on gatherings of more than 6 people with fines of up to 6,400 GBP for breaches (on a sliding scale admittedly, so that frequent offenders will get hit), but police will probably not apply it to BLM gatherings as that will be too dangerous, too difficult and need a full risk assessment first.
This measure is so poorly drafted that some mischievous people have been raising valid questions on its application. Boris Johnson has admitted that this could still be in place at Christmas and family gatherings of more than 6 people would be banned. Question one – If I have 6 people at home at Christmas, does that mean that we will be in breach when Santa comes and lifts the number to Seven? Should we get him to give advance notice of his arrival so that one person can go outside whilst the presents are delivered and then re-enter the room?
If I am scheduled for surgery, am I allowed to have more than 5 people in the surgical team?
If someone is in the delivery suite of the maternity unit is the team limited to 5 (including family support). When the baby arrives does that increase the number of people? What happens with multiple births?
None of the above is exempt according to the Government list of exceptions unless they are classified as tradespersons.
I have a business trip that requires me to drive through Wales which has different regulations so I will have to check on their requirements. I expect to be prepared to have an argument about whether it is essential or not.
On a more personal note, I have had to cancel four business trips this year, two to Myanmar, one to Ethiopia and one to Ghana so the COVID epidemic has had a major impact on my year. I am not complaining, just pointing out the impact. At least I have a job that I am in control of and can use Zoom, unlike the thousands who will be out of work by Christmas. There are so many estimates of the unemployment levels that it is hard to give a consensus as to the figure, but 10% is not unrealistic. That is a huge cost: in personal terms to the people involved; in tax take for the Government; in a fall in GDP and in social cost to the country.
As I said at the start, it is beyond satire.
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