It's getting silly now

So another week or two passes and still the (not) lockdown continues. I have to admit it's all getting a bit silly now. Initially I welcomed the Welsh Government's caution as Boris and his troupe started lifting lockdown in England.  It all seemed to early, too soon whilst here in Wales we seemed to be playing a wait and see game.

Well, we've waited. England continues to ease the lockdown with today seeing the re-opening of non-essential shops. Inevitable, and perhaps rather sadly we've seen massive queues at shops like Primark (who don't have an online presence) so people waiting for their shopping fix can now be sated.

People desperate for their Primark fix: Credit BBC News

In England too, you can travel anywhere (within reason) and form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household if you live alone or are a single parent with dependent children - in other words, you are in a household where there is only one adult. All those in a support bubble will be able to act as if they live in the same household - meaning they can spend time together inside each other’s homes and do not need to stay 2 metres apart. Support bubbles should be exclusive - meaning you should not switch the household you are in a bubble with or connect with multiple households (from gov.co.uk)

Here in Wales we can't do any of that. We can only travel 5 miles (roughly). Nevertheless you wouldn't know it. I've been out and about on some local walks recently and nice that.

1. Traffic seems to be back to "near normal" levels
2. Penarth sea front was absolutely heaving this weekend
3. Cosmeston country park (where the large car park is closed off) saw cars lining the adjacent road as people parked up to go and walk there

No doubt a large element of that is down to the Dominic Cummings affair. He settle standard that the country can basically do what it wants to in spirit if not to the letter of the guidance.

It's ludicrous and whatever frustrations I have must surely only be exaggerated in local small businesses. I was also taking to a local business owner (florist) today. She's providing deliveries but is not allowed to open. However, the garage across the road sells flowers where people can walk in, buy flowers and pay face to face (with a screen in place granted). The florist is potentially losing money because she can't open and sell what the Texaco place across the road does as a sideline.

I know coronavirus hasn't gone away. I know people are still dying. But it has significantly lessened and the projected "second wave" off the back of VE Day celebrations, mass exoduses to the beaches etc don't seem to have had any adverse effect. Surely, we can loosen things up in Wales?

I'm desperate to see Mark Drakeford and the Welsh Government see some sense and offer the Welsh population some serious and practical solutions to easing of lockdown this week, but I fear that for whatever reason they are going to remain cautious.

At least football is starting back this week, so a bit of respite and semblance of normality, even if I can't be there to watch the Bluebirds.

Until next time....