Allow virtually anything, as long as it can maintain Social Distancing.

The problem with making sweeping generalisations, regarding what can open and what cannot, is that it doesn’t allow for individual circumstances. I agree that it was, and still is, necessary to have started off with that basic premise, closing pubs and restaurants, etc.. ...but now that we have all accepted that and “got into the way of doing it”, it would seem only fair to allow people to get back to work or pursue a non-team sport if they can do it safely. A solitary golfer, for example, or a husband & wife couple from the same household playing a round of golf would seem perfectly reasonable. Similarly, a solitary electrician doing a small job on someone’s house, without coming into close contact with the householders should be allowed. The important thing, from a Covid-19 prevention point of view, isn’t the activity. The important thing is the Social Distancing. That is the clear underlying principle for any or all activities, be they work or leisure. If you can maintain social distancing, then you can do it. If you can’t, you can’t.

Why the contribution is important

It’s important because it addresses the main foundation of the problem. It doesn’t just address specifics. And it allows people to behave responsibly rather than suppress their behaviour. It allows us to behave like grown-ups, which fits with Nicola Sturgeon having a “grown -up” conversation with us. eg. If someone owns a restaurant and feels that they can have tables spaced out, with a resultant 15% occupancy, and maintain social distancing, then why shouldn’t they be allowed to open? Allowing workplaces etc., to find their own way of maintaining social distancing, would effectively result in a gradual easing of the lock down as more and more places found a way to do it. It would be a self fulfilling process. Conversely... If businesses did this, but were subsequently photographed by the public and proved to be breaking the social distancing rules, then they could be actively closed down by the relevant authorities. Give people a chance to do the best for themselves and others, without breaking any rules. Doesn’t help with hairdressers or nail bars, I’m afraid, but maybe they’d be OK if staff had highly effective, hospital standard PPE, and that would have to be further down the line, once there was no longer a PPE shortage.

by ChicP on May 05, 2020 at 08:11PM

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Average rating: 4.1
Based on: 60 votes

Comments

  • Posted by CatrionaLaird May 05, 2020 at 20:26

    Agree that businesses should be allowed to make their own arrangements to put social distancing in place .

  • Posted by tilly_f May 05, 2020 at 20:27

    Couldn't agree more. It is time to trust the people.

  • Posted by scotjs May 05, 2020 at 20:30

    Isn't the current advice already somewhat reliant on people exercising our own initiative on what is necessary for us to do and what isn't in our individual circumstances? I personally think easing up the restrictions from "do what's necessary" to "do whatever you want but socially distance" like what we kind of already tried and failed at doing pre-lockdown, is too radical and too early at this stage. We will just have a wave of infections. We will.

  • Posted by mg68 May 05, 2020 at 20:34

    Agree, lets have a common sense approach. Like Sweden perhaps? They are doing as well as countries with a strict lockdown.

  • Posted by Robbie2005 May 05, 2020 at 20:42

    Yes, need to treat people like adults.

  • Posted by onyerbike May 05, 2020 at 20:42

    Have you seen tonight's photo of Ryanair's flight on BBC News? What you suggest will never work.

  • Posted by ianrb1109 May 05, 2020 at 20:45

    I agree with this sentiment. We are mostly responsible adults, as is shown by the high level of observation of the lockdown and social distancing when out for exercise or shopping. If the R factor gets above 1 again then we will need to reimpose these principles of isolation and so it is everyone's interest to live by the social principle of keeping well apart so that everyone can enjoy the outside safely.

  • Posted by onyerbike May 05, 2020 at 20:50

    This is the photo. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-52528452

  • Posted by adnil May 05, 2020 at 20:55

    Rules need to be defined and clear. seeing queues at b&q, Costa etc only reinforces people will stretch and interpret the rules to their own requirements. Too many people will think they can choose whether they can take a risk rather than the risk they then pose for others.

  • Posted by Letsdoitright May 05, 2020 at 21:04

    I agree with the broad principle of this and people can vote with their feet if they feel unsafe. However there will always be the "smart Alecs" who think they know better as evidenced by the growing number of people making car journeys visiting family purportedly in the garden, getting a daily newspaper etc. Half full restaurants may make the business non-viable.

  • Posted by Kylesku May 05, 2020 at 21:22

    Until recently i was thought we were in a country where you were freeto make your own decisions. Now apparently Boris & Nicola think we are too stupid to be trusted and have created an atmosphere where people are spying on their neighbours and informing on any suspect behaviour. People should be treated as adults & allowed to make their own decsions.

  • Posted by triumphherald May 05, 2020 at 21:54

    Excellent suggestion. People now generally understand social distancing and the risks involved so should be trusted to decide for themselves what activities are safe. A few broad rules from the government on distancing, hand washing facilities etc would be required.

  • Posted by ChicP May 05, 2020 at 22:28

    I wrote this original suggestion and I saw the Airline Photo. It’s a perfect example of my comment that a photograph or two from the general public, showing social distancing rules being broken, could provide evidence for the relevant authority to close the business down.

  • Posted by jrob May 06, 2020 at 15:37

    Completely agree.

  • Posted by catmac14 May 06, 2020 at 22:16

    I think this makes perfect sense ……but I don't know if its a step too far right at this moment while numbers still rising.

  • Posted by johncunndainn May 07, 2020 at 08:03

    It would be good to think that an intelligent public could make their own decisions. 'Is my need for xxx so great that it is worth the risk of catching a disease that could kill me or one of my family?' Lockdown and functioning life are not mutually compatible. There are times when distancing is impracticable or just cannot be guaranteed - some people are just not very aware of their surroundings. So masks become an important supplement to distancing. It also becomes important to keep records of higher risk situations. So if restaurants open, it should be on the basis that all adult customers provide evidence of a contact address, which is recorded.

  • Posted by AndyLippok May 07, 2020 at 12:54

    I'd love to believe that most people will behave responsibly with this suggestion, yet I'm doubtful this is the case. Perhaps as suggested in another idea proposal, provide a website where businesses and organisations can undertake a written self-assessment on how they have made provisions that have made their staff, customers and the public safe. Make this public and allow people to search for that submission then people can make an informed decision as to whether to use those businesses and organisations for their custom. This would enable the businesses and the staff and customers to take full responsibility and make informed choices.

  • Posted by Dwilliams21 May 08, 2020 at 16:08

    There is some sense in focusing on the core issue and objective rather placing fixed rules. Add on amid of the frequency when you can see different might be feasible?

  • Posted by Stitchwort May 09, 2020 at 10:08

    "If you can maintain social distancing, then you can do it. If you can’t, you can’t". Completely agree. Government needs to come up with a new slogan / meme, eg "Keep a distance". In Canada they use the term "physical distancing", eg. "Keep a caribou apart" - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/04/canada-yukon-coronavirus-caribou

  • Posted by Cathol May 11, 2020 at 17:49

    Agree, those that dont can continue to self isolate at home. Why should the entire population be subject to one set of rules? You will never please everyone so those you wish to continue lockdown indefinitely then let them. Everyones circumstances differ and have different attitudes and perception of the risks.
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