End of all remaining Covid restrictions in England

[102 fan]

When will the BBC let guests on the One Show sit beside each other?

 

[VauxhallandI]

When will the BBC let guests on the One Show sit beside each other?

I noticed that recently they’ve had them sitting closer again on the BBC breakfast show.

What I’d like to know from the BBC is what were they measuring to make this decision and why didn’t they announce it like they do when things go in the opposite direction.

You add another question, why on Breakfast and not the One Show?

 

[Ediswan]

One Show are slowly creeping closer together. Both hosts on the same sofa today. Less than a whole empty seat between them.

 

[Class 33]

I noticed on ITV News West Country the two hosts were finally back to sitting next to each other rather than 2 metres apart with one of the hosts sitting to the side of the desk, about a month ago now. About time seeing as social distancing was scrapped on 19th July! Mind you, ITV News Central were way ahead of ITV News West Country, as they scrapped social distancing of the news hosts about 6 months ago.

 

[DelayRepay]

I noticed on ITV News West Country the two hosts were finally back to sitting next to each other rather than 2 metres apart with one of the hosts sitting to the side of the desk, about a month ago now. About time seeing as social distancing was scrapped on 19th July! Mind you, ITV News Central were way ahead of ITV News West Country, as they scrapped social distancing of the news hosts about 6 months ago.

In the real world people have been sitting next to friends, colleagues and strangers for months.

I suspect these TV programmes are doing this just for show. I would be amazed if the presenters keep their distance when the cameras aren't running.

 

[Hadders]

Question Time still has a socially distanced audience (and fully masked until very recently). I really don't get why as the same people will have been going to restaurants, theatres, sporting fixtures for months.

 

[Eyersey468]

Question Time still has a socially distanced audience (and fully masked until very recently). I really don't get why as the same people will have been going to restaurants, theatres, sporting fixtures for months.

It's probably just for show as @DelayRepay says

 

[takno]

Question Time still has a socially distanced audience (and fully masked until very recently). I really don't get why as the same people will have been going to restaurants, theatres, sporting fixtures for months.

I've avoided watching Question Time for years, but based on what I have seen, masking and physical separation would be pretty sensible crowd management techniques to use on the snarling fascists they get in.

 

[Enthusiast]

When will the BBC let guests on the One Show sit beside each other?

And when will the evening "Papers" slot return to having live guests? It was announced last September that they were "moving towards " restoring them imminently. These things take time, of course, and by the time "imminently" arrived, so had Omicron, so the idea was scrapped. Then, about six weeks ago a similar announcement was made: "We'll be back to our live format very soon." This was following an episode where the link to one of the reviewers was lost entirely and the other was heard to speak about two or three seconds before her lips moved (when here entire image was not pixelated, that was). For two years the BBC (and Sky for that matter) has treated its viewers to the sight of people appearing on national telly via a second rate (at best, often much worse) "Zoom" type link from their kitchen, broom cupboard or sitting in front of an antique fireplace filled with dried flowers. The vision is poor, the sound is often uncoordinated and links often lost. I have an idea that this presentation will become part of the BBC's "new normal" and it's disgraceful.

 

[Freightmaster]

I've avoided watching Question Time for years, but based on what I have seen, masking and physical separation would be pretty sensible crowd management techniques to use on the snarling fascists they get in.

Great idea, but what about the audience?!




MARK

 

[nw1]

Great idea, but what about the audience?!




MARK

ROFL!

 

[DelayRepay]

And when will the evening "Papers" slot return to having live guests? It was announced last September that they were "moving towards " restoring them imminently. These things take time, of course, and by the time "imminently" arrived, so had Omicron, so the idea was scrapped. Then, about six weeks ago a similar announcement was made: "We'll be back to our live format very soon." This was following an episode where the link to one of the reviewers was lost entirely and the other was heard to speak about two or three seconds before her lips moved (when here entire image was not pixelated, that was). For two years the BBC (and Sky for that matter) has treated its viewers to the sight of people appearing on national telly via a second rate (at best, often much worse) "Zoom" type link from their kitchen, broom cupboard or sitting in front of an antique fireplace filled with dried flowers. The vision is poor, the sound is often uncoordinated and links often lost. I have an idea that this presentation will become part of the BBC's "new normal" and it's disgraceful.

I'm not sure if the BBC pay the guests, but maybe they pay them less when they're appearing via Zoom? At the very least there will be a saving on taxis etc. And to be honest given it's on at 10:30pm, I think I'd prefer to appear from home than trek into central London!

I'm afraid, given the extend of BBC cuts, that this kind of presentation is likely to become the norm. Must be much cheaper to get any guest to dial in from their computer compared to sending a camera operator out.

 

[davetheguard]

I've avoided watching Question Time for years, but based on what I have seen, masking and physical separation would be pretty sensible crowd management techniques to use on the snarling fascists they get in.

Me too - not good for my blood pressure!

 

[greyman42]

I'm not sure if the BBC pay the guests, but maybe they pay them less when they're appearing via Zoom? At the very least there will be a saving on taxis etc. And to be honest given it's on at 10:30pm, I think I'd prefer to appear from home than trek into central London!

I'm afraid, given the extend of BBC cuts, that this kind of presentation is likely to become the norm. Must be much cheaper to get any guest to dial in from their computer compared to sending a camera operator out.

GMB are back to doing their morning press slots with journalists in the studio.

 

[102 fan]

Further to the NRM booking enquiry, I got this reply.

'Even as restrictions lessen, the timeslots have allowed us to make sure that the museum does not get crowded, as it spreads visitor admissions across the day. The museum admission is free of charge.'

I asked if overcrowding had ever been a problem in the museums 47 year history. That was over a week ago, no reply as yet...

 

[raspberrypeel]

On GWR class 387s they still have an announcement that goes:

"Thank you for wearing a face covering if you can, as a courtesy to others"

Thankfully I think this absent from the IETs.

 

[Class 33]

On GWR class 387s they still have an announcement that goes:

"Thank you for wearing a face covering if you can, as a courtesy to others"

Thankfully I think this absent from the IETs.

These highly irritating PA announcements are on the 165/166's and HST's too, and most likely the 150's and 158's. It's why I'm avoiding travelling with GWR at the moment, until they get rid of these pathetic announcements. I absolutely DETEST any PA announcements onboard trains or in supermarkets mentioning those darn words "Face coverings"!!!! I emailed GWR to complain about them basically saying they are discriminating towards people who are not wearing face covering, and that the vast majority of people from my observations have quite rightly ditched wearing face coverings now, and if they themselves can see this on their trains then what is the point in these PA messages continuing, and how long do they intend to keep these PA messages going. They reply was rubbish and didn't acknowledge let alone answer half I what I asked them, and defending that face coverings are necessary! Here's their reply....

Thank you for contacting Great Western Railway in which you express your disapproval of the announcements about wearing face masks on our services.

I am sorry you feel it is discriminating against those passenger who choose not to wear a facemask and would like to assure you this is not the case. It is more a recognition that some passengers are still wary of and vulnerable to the Covid virus.

We fully understand the lifting of restrictions on the necessity for wearing face masks and would like to direct you to our website, https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/safety, where you find up to date information about this matter and also the Government's latest information at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We hope that you'll travel with us again soon and we look forward to welcoming you onboard.



Yours sincerely,



Karen

Customer Support Advisor

Great Western Railway

Absolute rubbish and useless reply. I intend to email GWR CEO Mark Hopwood to say what a disappointing reply this was and try again for him to answer my questions. But I wouldn't be atall surprised if I get another rubbish and useless reply from him too!

It's now over 2 months since mandatory face mask laws were scrapped. But I wouldn't be atall surprised if GWR continue running these highly irritating PA announcements for many months to come yet, even into next year, maybe even forever! Even if they see that literally ZERO passengers are still wearing these pointless face coverings!

 

[VauxhallandI]

Every time I am onboard a LO service I email them about the messaging and digital displays. They are playing the game that they are removing them! I don’t believe them, they ask for the train details each time.

How are these messages managed? Surely it takes seconds to remove them?

 

[kristiang85]

Question Time still has a socially distanced audience (and fully masked until very recently). I really don't get why as the same people will have been going to restaurants, theatres, sporting fixtures for months.

HIGNFY still has perspex screens between the panelists. It's ridiculous.

 

[Freightmaster]

HIGNFY still has perspex screens between the panelists. It's ridiculous.

Definitely seems to be a BBC virtue signalling thing - I caught the first few minutes of Saturday Night Takeaway
on ITV yesterday and everything seemed like 2019, including the audience at full capacity with zero masks.




MARK

 

[Bikeman78]

On GWR class 387s they still have an announcement that goes:

"Thank you for wearing a face covering if you can, as a courtesy to others"

Thankfully I think this absent from the IETs.

On the class 317s the "please wear a face covering at our stations and on our trains" has gone but "please follow social distancing advice and spread out throughout the train whenever possible" and "please remain seated until the train stops and avoid congregating around the aisles and doorways" are still going strong.

 

[philosopher]

Further to the NRM booking enquiry, I got this reply.

'Even as restrictions lessen, the timeslots have allowed us to make sure that the museum does not get crowded, as it spreads visitor admissions across the day. The museum admission is free of charge.'

I asked if overcrowding had ever been a problem in the museums 47 year history. That was over a week ago, no reply as yet...

For the publicly funded museums, it suits them to restrict entry as fewer visitor numbers mean lower maintenance and staff costs. Unless there is negative media publicity around museums insisting on pre booking, I suspect this will be the one Covid restriction that remains.

 

[takno]

Definitely seems to be a BBC virtue signalling thing - I caught the first few minutes of Saturday Night Takeaway
on ITV yesterday and everything seemed like 2019, including the audience at full capacity with zero masks

Nothing to do with the BBC, since they don't produce the show, and have surprisingly little control over it. QI has never had screens so they clearly aren't that bothered. It may be virtue signalling from Hat Trick, topical set dressing, or for that matter personal concern from one the increasingly-elderly core participants

 

[102 fan]

For the publicly funded museums, it suits them to restrict entry as fewer visitor numbers mean lower maintenance and staff costs. Unless there is negative media publicity around museums insisting on pre booking, I suspect this will be the one Covid restriction that remains.

I think Easter might change this ruling. Not many families I know want to be tied to a time.

 

[Enthusiast]

Ye Gods!:

Liz Carr calls for theatres to host facemask-only performances

The actress says "theatre should remain accessible" to vulnerable people, as she wins an Olivier Award.

www.bbc.co.uk

How will members of the audience get to the theatre and back?

 

[Richard Scott]

Ye Gods!:

Liz Carr calls for theatres to host facemask-only performances

The actress says "theatre should remain accessible" to vulnerable people, as she wins an Olivier Award.

www.bbc.co.uk

How will members of the audience get to the theatre and back?

Also what a ridiculous request. Theatres have to make money so what if only a few people turn up.

 

[43066]

Also what a ridiculous request. Theatres have to make money so what if only a few people turn up.

Indeed. Rather shows how out of touch with the real world some of these media types are…

 

[ainsworth74]

Is it any different to, say, dementia friendly screenings of films or films with subtitles in cinemas? I can't imagine that they're that profitable but cinemas still try to arrange them (at least pre-pandemic anyway!) for those that would benefit from them. I note that she isn't saying that all theatre shows should be socially distanced with face coverings but that a separate performance with those arrangements should be available for those that feel they would benefit from it.

 

[danm14]

Is it any different to, say, dementia friendly screenings of films or films with subtitles in cinemas? I can't imagine that they're that profitable but cinemas still try to arrange them (at least pre-pandemic anyway!) for those that would benefit from them. I note that she isn't saying that all theatre shows should be socially distanced with face coverings but that a separate performance with those arrangements should be available for those that feel they would benefit from it.

A dementia-friendly or subtitled screening can still be enjoyed by a person who does not suffer from dementia or who does not need to read subtitles. A performance with mandatory masks cannot be enjoyed by those who cannot wear face masks.

And to be honest, if there was pressure to do this, I wouldn't be surprised if cinemas and theatres decided to lump all of the "special" screenings/performances into one to make up for lost revenue - meaning, for example, that I would get to choose between not enjoying the film because I cannot understand it during the regular screening, or not enjoying the film because I have to wear a face mask for two and a half hours during the subtitled-and-masked screening; and the autistic child would get to choose between having a panic attack because the music is too loud during the regular performance, or having a panic attack because they can't tolerate wearing a face covering during the masked-and-autism-friendly performance.

 

[ainsworth74]

A dementia-friendly or subtitled screening can still be enjoyed by a person who does not suffer from dementia or who does not need to read subtitles. A performance with mandatory masks cannot be enjoyed by those who cannot wear face masks.

So don't go to that performance? Go to one of the many performances where none of those arrangements apply? I would imagine that if such performances are arranged it's going to be one per month or perhaps two or three during the length of a shows run. So the overwhelming majority will cater for the overwhelming majority of punters that don't care or don't want to wear a face covering.

Personally I wouldn't go to a dementia or autism friendly screening of a film because I know that the arrangements made to accommodate them would probably impinge on my enjoyment. As well as potentially taking a seat away from someone who needs it. But I'm glad they exist to allow those people who have those conditions to still access and enjoy the cinema.

And to be honest, if there was pressure to do this, I wouldn't be surprised if cinemas and theatres decided to lump all of the "special" screenings/performances into one to make up for lost revenue - meaning, for example, that I would get to choose between not enjoying the film because I cannot understand it during the regular screening, or not enjoying the film because I have to wear a face mask for two and a half hours during the subtitled-and-masked screening; and the autistic child would get to choose between having a panic attack because the music is too loud during the regular performance, or having a panic attack because they can't tolerate wearing a face covering during the masked-and-autism-friendly performance.

That seems doubtful. The whole point of such screenings is to accommodate people who have additional needs. You'd be shooting yourself in the foot trying to combine them and the bad publicity would be a PR nightmare.

Who cares if a cinema or theatre has, say, one showing a month that's socially distanced and has face coverings? Just don't go to it and instead go to the dozens if not hundreds of showings that are perfectly normal. If the argument was that all showings should have those precautions in place then I'd agree that's wholly unreasonable and should be opposed but that doesn't appear to be what's suggested here.