Looking at the daily email update from the government on Tuesday May 12, there seems to be a light at the end of this very long tunnel, although we cannot run before we can walk (as a figure of speech), but we can now at least start with bite sized chunks. According to the latest update we can, as from Wednesday, May 13 legitimately consider following revised guidelines which include:
1. Spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing
2. Meet one other person from a different household outdoors – following social distancing guidelines
3. Exercise outdoors as often as you wish – following social distancing guidelines – using outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or a golf course – with members of your household, or one other person, while staying 2 metres apart, or
go to a garden centre
At all times, you should continue to observe social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, including ensuring you are two metres away from anyone outside your household.
As before, you cannot:
a) Visit friends and family in their homes
b) Exercise in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or go swimming in a public pool
c) Use an outdoor gym or playground
d) Visit a private or ticketed attraction
e) Gather in a group of more than two (excluding members of your own household), except for a few specific exceptions set out in law (for work, funerals, house moves, supporting the vulnerable, in emergencies, and to fulfil legal obligations)
Further information on the above and regular updates are available at www.gov.uk
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
What can I do today? I,ll tell you what you can’t do. And that is pay cash for food products from Salts Farm Shop. A couple of days back I nipped in to buy some produce but had forgotten a bank card. I proffered cash which was firmly refused due to ‘covid guidance from the government’ the shop staff said. I had to leave the produce and shop elsewhere (another trip I didn’t need) What nonsense, one minute retailers are whinging about loss of income due to loss of footfall then it seems in this case they shoot themselves in their own proverbial foot. There are approximately 1.3million ‘cardless’ people in the UK. Many are elderly and many are vulnerable. Retailers have the right we know, to refuse cash, but if any think its okay to discriminate by refusing it, then they don’t need to whine when takings drop.
For the record I was met at the door (we passed about 50 cms apart) by one shop staff member dishing out hand sanitiser. There was no screen at the till and neither of the staff were wearing masks. So let’s not have the ‘safety is our top priority’ mantra please.
I hear your frustration but totally understand their fear, cash and petrol pumps are the most contaminated things you can touch when out in public. Paper notes are worse than coins, the virus can apparently live two -three days longer on paper money than metal coins and still spread the virus after about 5 days.
In that case retailers who are ‘frit’ need to put up signs saying cash only or card payments only. People don’t like wasting time and most don’t like ‘virtue signalling’ especially when other aspects of safe practice (as advised by government) are ignored. The guidelines from the government say cash payment should be discouraged NOT refused. A little bit of discretion would go along way. Scenario—–a pensioner goes into a shop, selects a loaf of bread, goes to check out to discover he can only pay by card which he doesn’t have with him. Sorry old bean he’s told, you have to leave your bread here and go home and have a ‘breadless’ sandwich’ (along with your shielded wife ) A quick survey around Rye would reveal the vast majority of shops that still trade, accept cash even though they have card access. Perhaps they have all interpreted the guidance differently/wrongly. Or could it be, the staff have a higher level of customer respect along with a modicum of common sense, not to mention a tad more moral fibre. And SHAZAM they all appear to wear gloves to handle cash———–how hard is that?