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Have yourselves a merry little Christmas, British PM Johnson says

41 Comments
By Guy Faulconbridge and William James

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41 Comments
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Very sad state of affairs. Imagine being cooped up in a bedsit over Christmas.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

i don’t know what’s worse, the fact that the UK government can pull this kind of tyrannical shenanigans or the fact the the general population roll over and take it without question

-13 ( +6 / -19 )

Boris is an imbecile.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

The virus is real and something I do not want to get. However it is amazing how far people are allowing the government to rule (not govern) the people during this Pandemic.

In my state of birth (California) the people are no longer being governed; they are being ruled.

Families cannot choose whether or not to meet for Christmas?

My mom who is in her later 80's will certainly meet with family. She is fully aware that there is a slight risk she may be infected and at her age would rather take this risk then spend Christmas alone.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

i don’t know what’s worse, the fact that the UK government can pull this kind of tyrannical shenanigans or the fact the the general population roll over and take it without question

Please tell us how they took it without question.

You haven’t read a single thing about the debate over lockdowns, the infighting in the ruling party over lockdowns, people flaunting the rules, protests on the streets etc, have you?

.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

@cracaphat

For one Xmas, the populace should just sux it up and stay away from their fam

I understand your sentiment and if you wish to do so I think that is great. However after discussions with my mom, who does not know how many Christmas' she has left, she is choosing to see the family and will take full responsibility for her actions (including isolating herself from others after Christmas). I will have to join from Japan.

I think this should not be a blanket dictate but evaluated on a case by case basis. There are alot of old people who for which this can be their last Christmas and they would rather spend it with the family, even considering the risk.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

After imposing the most onerous restrictions in Britain's peacetime history, Johnson is now keen to avoid becoming the first leader since Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century to cancel Christmas, even though the United Kingdom has the sixth worst official COVID-19 death toll in the world.

OK, to fully appreciate the most preposterous association to the 1630 most intolerant Independent Puritan.

The Presbyterian Cromwell’s brutal defeat of Scots at the Battle of Worcester, and the success of Cromwell’s New Model Army that lead to Cromwell’s investiture, for want of a better analogy that Cromwell could never monetarily be associated with his belief in any form of a Protectorate Parliament.

Cromwell ruled with the total and unquestioned support Army and Generals.

UK was in realty a military dictatorship.    

What this has in association with

Have yourselves a merry little Christmas, British PM Johnson says

*
1 ( +3 / -2 )

Well is a mystery.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

You cannot cancel Christmas!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

With a vaccine just around the corner, people should just chill for one Christmas and see their family in person just a few months later. It's not worth accidentally sickening or killing very old people in your family.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Just be aware of the risks to the elder family members, get online if necessary.

Government need quite rightly to publish and hammer home the risks and dangers, call out if you will,

From that moment onwards it is up to the public to take heed and act accordingly.

Christmas or potential chaos?

The choice is yours.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The photo reminds me of when I was stopped by police for "camera surfing."

What? I asked.

"Camera surfing: we observed you slowing down for the speed camera, then building up speed before slowing down for the next speed camera."

The whole world seems, to greater or lesser extents, to be lockdown surfing.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I see one biker wearing a mask, in this picture :)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You are not required to wear a mask outdoors, or when eating or drinking. The lack of social distancing is worrying though. My family in the U.K. decided not to get together at Christmas weeks ago. Not worth the risk. Those who are insisting they will have a normal Christmas are insane, she the virus spike again in January. I bet these idiots clapped for the carers every Thursday evening.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I don't know if theres a more cowed, obedient and lily-livered populace than the British right now. A recent poll suggested the majority of them wanted more freedoms curtailed.

and thats saying something since Canadians are strong competition as always..

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Yes Luddite, your decision is indeed a sacrifice, however makes sound logical sense under the circumstances.

I will not be spending the Christmas or New Years festivities with elder members of the family which in effect I will be dancing alone to Shakin Stevens Merry Christmas Everyone, alone with my loyal pets Soy and Bailey and a visit from Mother and Father.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

From what I could gather only something like 12% of covid deaths occur in people under 65 years old in the UK. So the young and even middle aged need not worry too much. Of course, if they have elderly folks living with them, they should take precautions. But otherwise, this virus is just another annoyance.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Believe me, there is a strong correlation between those daily higher infection numbers and people still waving purple burlesque feather fans.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html#section1

I am travelling to the UK in the January,

Note.......

6 Entry of foreign nationals with special exceptional circumstances

Please note that the certificate of negative test result of pre-entry testing conducted within 72 hours of the departure time of the flight) is required for foreign nationals arriving from countries/regions designated as an area subject to denial of permission to enter Japan, with special exceptional circumstances, from 1st September 2020 in addition to obtaining a valid visa. Please see here  to be informed of the detailed cases of special exceptional circumstances.

This requirement is subject to change.

In in any doubt call MOFA direct +81-(0)3-3580-3311......

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I will attend a conference in Paris before traveling to Brighten UK.

I will be receiving he vaccine before traveling under strict medial supervision. my age is 32.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Is it a shame thing to do of wearing a face mask in a public place? These people seems unaware they were in COVID19 high risk zone! This lady is risking her life by dancing at us, may God protects her!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I personally will not be facing restrictions, however the 16 foreign nationals (residents) will.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Travelling with me.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I will be receiving he vaccine before traveling under strict medial supervision. my age is 32.

Where will you be getting the vaccine? Also, you will be required to self isolate for 10 days on arrival in the U.K. as France is not on the travel corridor list. Looks like East Sussex will be going into it Tier 3 today, so maybe you need to cancel your visit to Brighten (sic).

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Luddite, the insurance company is making the arrangements, I understand at present all employees that/who will be required to attend will receive the BioNTech/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

There could/will be restrictions and yes between France Paris and Brighton City Airport, Lancing we all could be subject to local council safety measures, including self-isolation for between 7 and 14. days if required.

Luddite, I Frankly do not wish to travel, if UK/EU Government fail to finalize common ground to forge a future relationship, we all will need to attend this conference and deal/discuss the financial/economic consequences. and medium long term implications

Our involvement is purely contractual/technical.

It is however a logistical nightmare to arrange in the mist of this on-going pandemic, as you have quote rightly pointed out.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

However after discussions with my mom, who does not know how many Christmas' she has left, she is choosing to see the family and will take full responsibility for her actions (including isolating herself from others after Christmas).

Then, that's fine so long as she takes full responsibility - and that includes possibly letting herself die due to no more Covid rooms in the hospital or not enough healthcare workers to take care of her

If she can accept all that with no reservations, then all the best to her with blessings

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@itsonlyrockandroll. Where are your employees getting the vaccine? It’s not yet licensed for use in Japan. You also need two doses 21 days apart, and you do not have any protection until 7 days after the second dose. I doubt there will be any meetings in France, even Macron has it now.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@zichi

Tokyo-Engr

@cracaphat

 I will have to join from Japan.

For our travelling info please explain how. Do you need a Covid-19 test to leave and fly? Do you need to self isolate?

I am not certain but maybe we are misunderstanding each other. In our case we are staying in Japan. We have chosen not to join the family in the U.S. this year as they are all in one location and we would be the ones travelling. For us to go to the U.S. there are no special requirements. However it would require an international flight plus one connection. We are also older (not quite mom's age of course) and we see this as a risk for us and also a risk for others. To re-enter it is a real challenge for me (getting the PCR test quickly). If we choose to isolate on both ends that is 28 days (14 are required to re-enter Japan for me).

I have a friend (PR) who re-entered Japan and they provided me with all of their documentation. It was pretty intense. They needed testing and they also got the document from a Japanese consul (I understand this is not required but they indicated the consul said it is).

The reason we are not going is not because it is impossible we just see it as too risky and too "mendokusai" for me to leave and come back.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bojo must be a centipede because he keeps finding new feet into which to shoot himself.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Luddite, there is more than a hint of desperation, the organizers of this event have been formally instructed as to the fact that no vaccine will or could be administered in Japan without full government medical approval and under strict license.

I have proposed the conference be arranged via secure on-line conferencing arrangements.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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