About this new indian variant of covid, seems cases are rising fast in a lot areas,the scientists do seem concerned about it's rapid spread .Just a few days now and the hospitality sector will be opening their doors.Hard to believe some big hotels down here haven't been open since xmas new year well over a year ago

As long as is under the influence of the vaccine there is no need to worry. The vaccine has turned a deadly virus into a mere nuisance. Let's hope it stays that way.

But isn't the Oxford AZ vaccine ineffective against this variant? If so, I'm worried as I had a day on the pop planned for Tynemouth on Monday.............

Saw a report in Euronews saying the scientists are pretty confident the Oxford jobby will be effective against Indian variant.
This aint over yet by a long shot............

Not that I have heard. As millions of people have had the AZ, if it was non effective, we would be back in lockdown PDQ and nobody would be on the pop on Monday. Enjoy yerself.

There's a lot of coaches expected down here next week mostly pensioners from the North,Midlands,South Wales not full capacity obviously but after seeing the hot spots were it's rising it does make you think..

Basically the mainstream media have decided to create a new narrative to drive up scare mongering again.

I'm fit and young, so I'm all right jack.

Are you Piers Corbyn in disguise ??

Scare mongering again ? as if the world is already an expert on covid eh.

Ineffective vaccines news?..i wouldn't listen to anybody until at least this time next year tbh

Looks like the government are shooting themselves in the foot.
Whilst it's not known whether these vaccines cover difrent variants then the borders should be shut

21 June lockdown ending will be extended.
.

Nimby comedy gold from Darlo's man on the south coast. Most cases of the Indian variant in places like Bolton are in unvaccinated younger age groups - that's why they're rushing in extra doses of vaccine there.

If I were you I'd be more worried about your chances of going on that foreign holiday you're so keen on. The Indian variant is already present in other European countries including Spain and Portugal. If it really is a new dominant strain it will spread much faster in countries with lower rates of vaccination - like Spain, where the vaccination rate is about half what it is in the UK.

Should some consideration be given to delaying the 17 May relaxations in some areas? Sure it won't be a vote winner and we'll see the likes of Andy Burnham claiming that lockdowns don't work, but until we know isn't caution the better option?

[quote="kevin pooles gloves"]Looks like the government are shooting themselves in the foot.
Whilst it's not known whether these vaccines cover difrent variants then the borders should be shut

do not bring common sense into the bunker. the government will tell us that the vaccines have been tweeked anyway because of the new strain only a couple of days after telling us those who have been vaccinated anyway will be ok. the borders should have been shut from a start. planes have been taking off since day 1 of the virus. its just everyday holiday makers who cannot fly. would be really interested to know the numbers of people flying in or out of this country since covid first kicked off. all those coming in should have been put in strict quaranteen once they arrived for as long as doctors thought fit. by all accounts planes were still coming and going from manchester airport when we were told not to travel anywhere but for essentials. no they were not cargo planes either.

after the government were not cautious once the virus started last year i can see em being completely over cautious yet again. we have thrown away a month now when we could have got back to normal and can see june 12th not happening now. setting set dates will always cause problems. actions when the situations permit is a better approach.

Rushing out the vaccine in Bolton are they? and that's going make all the difference in such a heavily populated area. is it

its about all they really can do apart from shutting the whole town down with the army stopping movement in and out of the town closing all the roads. peter kay is not going to be happy.

Would it be fair to say that these various outbreaks are primarily due to some folk ignoring the rules - be that with regard to foreign travel or whatever? And, if so, is it time for some appropriate punishments to be levied - so that others will think twice before breaking the rules that the vast majority respect?

Won't happen because our country let's the foreigners have the life of Riley over here.

Can't say no to them in fear of upsetting them.

But break the law in there country's and they won't hesitate to give u a good hiding and put u in the slammer for a long time while waiting for a dodgy court appearance.

Already 4 UK deaths from this Indian variant according to sky news.

Aye, we don't want to upset them as otherwise they might take the taxpayer for a ride and screw over the likes of the remnants of British Steel.....

And I got arrested twice in the Middle East - innocent on both occasions but only released when the right people had been paid. So you're spot on Mr Gloves.

FOUR! What next... the Hartlepool variant?

there is a common denometor here. bolton, blackburn,darwen,bradford and london.

Most of them places is were the vaccine uptake has been low.

Should have been hitting them hard from day one.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Variant can'spread like wildfire' among those who haven't been vaccinated says Matt Hancock.that's some statement considering we opened up the next day,no need for panic Matt.

we should have been opened up 5 weeks before may 17th if you looked at the virus figures. this insistance on dates is idiotic for me. we could have had all these weeks of near freedom. at the moment this new freedom could be shortlived if cases continue to rise. sod june. if cases go up we should be back to restrictions once more.

Albufeira's strip was a big let down,might as well have been in Dublin.Don't fancy Israel and Gib's already packed.

Damned if you do open,damned if you don't. the country is split on this one mr accy.

Damned if you do open,damned if you don't. the country is split on this one mr accy.[/quote]
personally i,m not bothered if the country is shut down again if the correct figures state it should be. its just this date and not data approach that winds me up.

We are going to have lockdowns and restrictions for the next 2 years until it blows itself out so everyone better get their head around it.
Spanish flu took 3 years to end.

Ex-pats expect a 'knock on the door' if you're returning from any amber countries ..Priti Patel has warned you.

Media terrified to state the obvious truth.

Muslims have been largely anti vaccine
They live in multi generational houses, often over full.
They have not stopped going to the mosques in crowded confines.
The Indian variant outbreaks have been in heavily muslim areas.

Obviously that makes me racist again.

These so called British/Foreigners do seem to be excempt from abiding by the covid laws.
And refusing the jab is disgraceful behaviour and an insult to the vast majority of our nation who are bending over backwards to try n eradicate this evil desease that was imported into our country.

And stating the obvious is not being racist.

as long as they have some valid reason for not taking the jab then thats fine. however its not if numbers have been sold misinformation or worse religeous grounds they have refused. most of these people now are born in this country but their parents and more likely grandparents have grown up in a country where they are used to diseases and deaths we can never imagine.

Where as British people of the drinking classes have been abiding by the rules and saving us all. Ridiculous generelisations.

exactly. how many on here have followed the rules 100 per cent from day 1 and not twisted them even slightly for there own interest. i know i have and really doubt i have been the cause of the virus spreading out of control. those dopes interviewed last saturday and sunday saying monday would be great as we can hug and do other things again. as if waiting a day or so would make any difference whatsoever.

The police are going to have a busy weekend when all go out on the lash this weekend.
I just hope any pubs etc that are not enforcing the rules are shut down for a few weeks as punishment.

Obviously. Happy now?

There's talk on't Dales a triple mutant Yorkshire variant is on it's way..how long now before June 21st is cancelled ?

that yorkshire variant though is quite easy to detect. anyone showing real friendliness and throwing money around if its going out of fashion will be forced to self isolate for a month.

Perhaps 'they' should take their lead from white British society and put their older generation in those nice safe care homes that your Tory government so brilliantly protected.

just think its typical that people from the indian sub continent get slated for this multi family approach to looking after their old folk. the ones i know live in really large 4/5 bedroom properties which are hardly overcrowded. many of us cannot wait to throw ours into the sleeping death of a care home and think they are doing their job with a weekly or monthly visit. need to look at our attitudes before we criticise others.