People in Birmingham are generally in favour of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown – but feel June is too soon to get back to normal.
Dates for reopening pubs, meeting up with friends, and going to non-essential shops feel about right according to readers, but we might not want to wait so long for a haircut.
Based on a survey of 4,271 people on the Birmingham Live website, the most common feeling after hearing the announcement was relieved (34%) – and 11% of people felt celebratory.
But others were left feeling worried (29%) or even scared (7%). Some, however, just felt confused (19%).
Asked their views on the different stages of the roadmap, broadly readers think things will be opening at around the right time.
All pupils are due to go back to school on March 8 – and 35% of those who responded think that’s the right call.
However, 37% of people thought it should have been a staggered return, while 28% think March 8 is too soon for pupils to start back.
People were much more comfortable with other changes planned for March 8 – 61% said it was about the right time for plans to allow two people from two households to meet in a public outdoor space with social distancing (they can do now, but only if they’re exercising).
That was the change with the highest proportion of respondents thinking it was coming in at the right time.
Plans to allow care home residents to have one regular named visitor were also coming in at the right time according to 58% of respondents.
With schools going back, wraparound childcare will also resume on March 8 – respondents were more split on whether this was about right (42%) or too soon (45%).
In terms of changes planned for March 29, a majority of people backed outdoor gatherings of up to six people or a group from up to two households as coming at the right time (51%).
There was slightly less support for allowing “formally organised” outdoor sports, with 47% saying about right but 34% saying too soon, as well as this 46% said about the right time about reopening outdoor sports facilities.
Ending ‘stay at home’ rules on March 29 was about right for 42% of people but too soon for 39%.
The changes planned from April 12 get plenty of backing – a majority think it’s about the right time to reopen non-essential shops (51%), reopen public buildings like libraries and museums (50%), reopen self-contained holiday accommodation (51%), and allow more people to attend funerals (51%) and wedding receptions and other commemorative events (52%).
It’s a free and easy way to follow up-to-date developments on the lockdown restrictions, Government guidelines, shop and restaurant reopenings, track and trace initiatives, development of a vaccine and official details of the number of coronavirus deaths.
It is delivered free of charge direct to your email inbox seven days a week, giving you all the news you need from across the region at your fingertips.
How do I sign up?
First just click on this link to our newsletter sign-up centre.
Once you’re there, put your email address where it says at the top, then tick the Birmingham Daily News Updates box. There are other newsletters available if you want them as well.
When you’ve made your choice, hit Save Changes button at the bottom.
Generally there was also support for the timing of reopening outdoor attractions (48%), allowing outdoor table service at pubs and restaurants (49%), and allowing groups of six people or two households to meet at those venues (51%).
Potentially April 12 may be too long to wait for a haircut – while 46% said the date for reopening personal care premises was about right, 28% said it should be sooner, the highest proportion for any proposed change.
However, people felt we perhaps should wait longer to go to the gym, with 37% saying April 12 was the right date to reopen indoor sport and leisure services, and 45% saying it was too soon.
As to changes planned for May 17, again people were generally in favour of the timing of outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people (47%), allowing groups of six to meet indoors (49%), and having more people at weddings and funerals (48%), and reopening hotels and B&Bs (47%).
People were supportive but a little more wary about reopening indoor areas of pubs and restaurants, with 38% saying it was the right time but 39% saying too soon, allowing indoor sport and exercise classes (42%), and allowing people to attend performances and sporting events in limited numbers (43%).
The Politics newsletter goes out twice a week and has a selection of our most popular articles, reporting on the latest headlines from the council, parliament ,the latest building developments, transport plans and more. We have you covered.
It is delivered free of charge direct to your email inbox twice a week, giving you all the news you need from across the region at your fingertips.
How do I sign up?
First just click on this link to our newsletter sign-up centre.
Once you’re there, put your email address where it says at the top, then tick the Weekly Politics Email updates box. There are other newsletters available if you want them as well.
When you’ve made your choice, hit Save Changes button at the bottom.
However, people tended to think May 17 was too soon to reopen indoor entertainment venues (46%) rather than the right time (37%).
The Government’s aim is to get things much more back to normal by June 21, but generally Birmingham Live readers don’t feel like that’s the right timing.
Removing limits on the number of people who can meet indoors or outdoors would be too soon for 47% of people and about right for 35%.
The potential end of social distancing in June would be too soon for 56% of readers, and no limits on capacity at performances and sporting events would be too soon for 59%.
