19th July Lockdown Easing - Observations and Compliance

[Bikeman78]

Rochester station still has a 'only travel for work or legally permitted essential reasons' sign on the main entrance door!

I think we're going to be stuck with outdated signage for years to come :-/

The various painted on markings on the platforms will last for years, especially on rarely used parts of the platform. Then you have the announcements on Greater Anglia telling people to spread out along the entire length of the platform. That's going to work well on a 12 car platform when the four car Stansted to Norwich train turns up. Not that anyone takes any notice anyway. Most people loiter close to the stairs. Just like they always did.

 

[DustyBin]

Mask wearing at the Supermarket last night had fallen off a cliff, I’d say 20-25% of people were still wearing them which is a marked improvement. It was fairly busy too.

There is so much out of date signage about (not to mention announcements) I honestly think a lot of people simply don’t know the law has changed (or more a accurately, how it’s changed). Coupled with the government’s terrible “recommended and expected” message it’s no surprise people are still wearing them. I think a lot of people are confused and would rather not risk getting into trouble, unfortunately. I was at a pub yesterday that still had full social distancing signage plastered all over (masks, 2m distancing, rule of six etc.) which is just plain laziness. It was being taken down as I left I’m pleased to say!

 

[adc82140]

There will be outdated notices for years to come. I just took one down at work that had been missed. "Have you travelled to the Wuhan region of China in the last 10 days?"

 

[ExRes]

I went back in time yesterday, a Garden Centre visit where probably 75% of the staff were wearing masks and more like 85% of customers of all ages, and yes, I mean outside as well as inside

 

[Berliner]

Currently sat on the 1617 EMR out of st pancras, much like in the station itself, mask use appears to be quite high, in my coach anyway. I'd estimate around 70% are wearing masks. I was in the M&S in the station and mask use was near universal other than 1 or 2 staff members.

 

[greyman42]

I went back in time yesterday, a Garden Centre visit where probably 75% of the staff were wearing masks and more like 85% of customers of all ages, and yes, I mean outside as well as inside

Is this reflective of the type of people who visit garden centres? I ask because i do not and have no idea of what sort of people do. Are they the sort of people who you would not expect to go out socialising?

 

[dk1]

Is this reflective of the type of people who visit garden centres? I ask because i do not and have no idea of what sort of people do. Are they the sort of people who you would not expect to go out socialising?

I thought just about everybody went to garden centres. If only for the dining.

 

[urpert]

I thought just about everybody went to garden centres. If only for the dining.

A lot of Tory backbenchers certainly seemed obsessed with reopening them during the first lockdown.

 

[ExRes]

Is this reflective of the type of people who visit garden centres? I ask because i do not and have no idea of what sort of people do. Are they the sort of people who you would not expect to go out socialising?

Many sections of society, old, young, children, I don't think I've ever been in a Garden Centre that is type specific, as for socialising, I've never spoken to any of them ..

 

[dk1]

A lot of Tory backbenchers certainly seemed obsessed with reopening them during the first lockdown.

And a truly wonderful day it was when they finally reopened.

 

[greyman42]

Many sections of society, old, young, children, I don't think I've ever been in a Garden Centre that is type specific, as for socialising, I've never spoken to any of them ..

It just seemed to me that mask wearing in garden centres seems to be the polar opposite of hospitality, so i wondered if the sort of people who go to garden centres are not the sort of people who go to pubs.

 

[Green tractor]

It just seemed to me that mask wearing in garden centres seems to be the polar opposite of hospitality, so i wondered if the sort of people who go to garden centres are not the sort of people who go to pubs.

Obviously the cautious type are not going to be going to pubs (indoors) but a out door garden centre is completely different.

 

[Class 33]

I passed through Boot's in Bristol's Broadmead today. Probably about 85% of people not wearing masks I'd say. Was great to see! In the Galleries Shopping Centre itself(not including all the actual stores inside), about 70% of people walking around not wearing masks! And in the Poundland in there, also probably about 70% of people not wearing masks. Things are definitely heading in the RIGHT direction I think.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

A good reason to immediately swipe left!

(invokes vision of Kenneth Williams in Carry-On mode)

ooh, I dunno though… probably up for a couple of injections ! Ooh! Matron!

 

[bramling]

It just seemed to me that mask wearing in garden centres seems to be the polar opposite of hospitality, so i wondered if the sort of people who go to garden centres are not the sort of people who go to pubs.

Don’t forget nowadays the most important and popular part of a garden centre is the cafe, followed by the clothing section for those places which have it.

Few people seem to visit garden centres to buy garden stuff these days!

 

[yorksrob]

(invokes vision of Kenneth Williams in Carry-On mode)

ooh, I dunno though… probably up for a couple of injections ! Ooh! Matron!

"Dr Nookie !!"...

 

[greyman42]

I passed through Boot's in Bristol's Broadmead today. Probably about 85% of people not wearing masks I'd say. Was great to see! In the Galleries Shopping Centre itself(not including all the actual stores inside), about 70% of people walking around not wearing masks! And in the Poundland in there, also probably about 70% of people not wearing masks. Things are definitely heading in the RIGHT direction I think.

Except at the garden centres it would seem.

 

[ExRes]

Except at the garden centres it would seem.

Just the one garden centre that I mentioned, I've seen behaviour no different in supermarkets, restaurants and even people walking down pavements with nobody anywhere near them still wearing masks, not to mention the car drivers on their own with windows shut and faces covered and at Sheffield Park people walking between the car park and station doing Ned Kelly impersonations, also I'd never realised how many people had picked up fancy footwork moves from Strictly to dodge anyone within the 2 metre exclusion zone

 

[brad465]

This was a shock, but welcome: the self checkouts in my local Sainsburys no longer have screens in between each checkout, so the area is much more spacious (I thought these would be around for a very long time). There are still screens at the manned checkouts, but I doubt there as significant at the moment.

 

[DelayRepay]

Don’t forget nowadays the most important and popular part of a garden centre is the cafe, followed by the clothing section for those places which have it.

Few people seem to visit garden centres to buy garden stuff these days!

You are right but that was quite handy during the lockdowns, when garden centres were able to remain open. I got my niece and nephew's birthday presents from the toy department of a garden centre last year because the toy shop was closed. I also bought a new coat and a couple of t-shirts from there earlier this year when clothes shops were closed.

The fact that garden centres were classed as essential retailers when most of what they sell is non essential (and I imagine in winter they sell very little gardening stuff) was crazy. But it was also very handy.

 

[Class 33]

Was in a Tesco in Bournemouth town centre earlier. From what I could see whilst I was in there, not a single mask wearer! Excellent!

On the train back to Bristol, easily at least 90 percent not wearing masks! Excellent!

The tide is very much turning it seems!

 

[Bikeman78]

This was a shock, but welcome: the self checkouts in my local Sainsburys no longer have screens in between each checkout, so the area is much more spacious (I thought these would be around for a very long time). There are still screens at the manned checkouts, but I doubt there as significant at the moment.

Same in Sainsburys in Cardiff which surprised me. As you say, there is much more space and it's actually easier to step out of the way if someone has to attend to approve alcohol etc. The constant annoying announcements have gone too. So the only thing left is masks which will probably fade over time as there's no one to enforce them.

 

[yorkie]

I got a Northern train from York to Halifax yesterday; hardly anyone wearing masks. The lady opposite wasn't particularly happy at this but her partner said something about getting back to normal and he wasn't wearing one.

I did a Railtour today; it was great to see it was almost entirely normal with very few wearing masks.

My next train was on Northern and the vast majority were unmasked. Now waiting the final train of the day and based on observations on the platform, I expect very few to be worn on the train.

I also popped into Sainsbury's in Preston and it was a much nicer experience than in York as nearly everyone was unmasked. York is around 50/50 at the moment which isn't great but heading in the right direction.

 

[philosopher]

London’s West End yesterday evening was pretty much back to what it was like pre Covid. I did not see any social distancing signs anywhere, except one in the toilet of the pub we went to, pubs had gone back to normal service and the usual crowds of theatre goers had returned. The only sign that something was different were that a few people (probably less than 5% though) were still wearing masks.

 

[GodAtum]

Been getting the train from quite remote stations such as Southease, Winchelsea and Doleham. BTP were on the train at Southease asking people to mask up as the train was full and standing but not many people listened.

 

[Hadders]

I took the train to Seaford yesterday to walk the seven sisters to Eastbourne.

The train from Victoria to Lewes was busy but not standing in the front car. Hundreds rushed across the bridge at Lewes to make the 4 minute connection to Seaford. 3 car 377 but plenty of space in the rear coach for those prepared to walk a little further. Hardly anyone wearing masks.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Been getting the train from quite remote stations such as Southease, Winchelsea and Doleham. BTP were on the train at Southease asking people to mask up as the train was full and standing but not many people listened.

Abuse of powers.

I order what other advice they wander up trains saying? Where they checking people had a bottle of water in a hot day?

 

[DustyBin]

I travelled with LNER from Newcastle to Darlington yesterday. Central station was rammed due to a combination of Newcastle playing at home and trains running late but mask wearing was the lowest I’ve seen it, despite the various signs and announcements. I’d say no more than 5% of people were masked which was great to see. It was no higher on the (busy) train either, even the guard was using his as a chin warmer. Of note (on the platform) were a masked couple with two small children who were also masked. Whilst it’s not for me to dictate what others do I couldn’t help thinking about the impact this may be having on the children; it must be confusing for them being surrounded by unmasked people. I wonder what the parents say to them?

also I'd never realised how many people had picked up fancy footwork moves from Strictly to dodge anyone within the 2 metre exclusion zone

We were at our “local” pub in London a few months back and they had a young lady acting as a hostess by the entrance showing you to your table etc. It was amusing watching her constantly maintaining a 2m distance from everybody, she never stayed still. I actually suggested she take up boxing as her ability to judge distance was so good, she did see the funny side I’m pleased to say!

 

[NorthKent1989]

Things have been slowly returning to normal from my observations, mask usage is certainly dropping, my local pub has been behaving at 2019 levels of normality.

I can handle the occasional mask but overall it’s nice to see that the majority people are keen to head back to normal, a Sharpe contrast to last summer.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Revolución de Cuba in Manchester was last night just as pre-COVID with the added bonus that people just seemed to be looking out for each other that little bit more than pre.

What an amazing site/sight.