Nearly half shuttered UK firms don't know when they will reopen - ONS

[snoop1130]

Nearly half shuttered UK firms don't know when they will reopen - ONS

 

A person walks past a closed shop in Newcastle, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Newcastle, Britain, May 27, 2020. REUTERS/Lee Smith

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Nearly half of businesses in Britain which have temporarily suspended their operations because of the coronavirus lockdown are unsure when they will restart trading, a survey by the country’s official statistics office showed on Thursday.

 

Britain’s government is gradually relaxing its restrictions on much of the economy. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this week that shops which he ordered to close in March can reopen next month.

 

About one in five businesses in Britain went into hibernation because of the lockdown and the Office for National Statistics survey found that 14% of them expected to resume business in the next two weeks.

 

A further 10% were eyeing a reopening in two to four weeks’ time and 31% expected to restart in more than four weeks’ time.

 

Forty-six percent said they were unsure when they would resume trading.

 

Sandwich and coffee shop chain Pret A Manger said on Thursday it would reopen a further 204 shops across Britain for takeaway and delivery on June 1.

 

But department store chain John Lewis said on Wednesday it might not reopen all its 50 stores.

 

The ONS survey showed another sign of how the shutdown in Britain is slowly easing.

 

It found 73% of people had remained at home or only left for work, exercise, essential shopping or medical needs between May 21 and May 24, down from 81% a week earlier.

 

People in England - but not in other parts of the United Kingdom - are now allowed to drive to the countryside or the beach, something banned under the first stage of the lockdown.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-28

 

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[Krataiboy]

Interesting that the lady in the picture has her mask down over her chin. My guess she's not just being forgetful or - even worse - deliberately "risking it". 

 

Like a lot of elderly folk, she probably finds just getting enough air without a mask difficult enough. Wearing one while walking or doing any exercise, can be torture - and potentially fatal if lungs and heart are in poor shape.

 

 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Krataiboy

[dunroaming]

1 hour ago, Krataiboy said:

Interesting that the lady in the picture has her mask down over her chin. My guess she's not just being forgetful or - even worse - deliberately "risking it". 

 

Like a lot of elderly folk, she probably finds just getting enough air without a mask difficult enough. Wearing one while walking or doing any exercise, can be torture - and potentially fatal if lungs and heart are in poor shape.

 

 

If heart or lungs are in poor shape then she shouldn't be out at all.  Don't pay much attention to the photo, the media have thousands showing all sorts of scenarios with all sorts of people. They just pick one to get viewers attention to the article.  The air quality is cleaner now than it has been for years thanks to the lower pollution.  I go for a daily walk along the banks of the Thames and it has never felt better!

 

Many businesses will not survive the lockdown.  Retail has been on it's knees for a long time.  Market forces dictate and they ain't going to kind any time soon

[7by7]

2 hours ago, Krataiboy said:

Interesting that the lady in the picture has her mask down over her chin. My guess she's not just being forgetful or - even worse - deliberately "risking it". 

 

Like a lot of elderly folk, she probably finds just getting enough air without a mask difficult enough. Wearing one while walking or doing any exercise, can be torture - and potentially fatal if lungs and heart are in poor shape.

 

 

 

Wearing a mask in the UK is advisory, not compulsory. Also, the government advice is to wear a mask in enclosed spaces, not outdoors as this lady is.

 

The type of mask she is wearing will not protect her even if worn properly as it would not make a seal around her nose and mouth. At best it will help prevent her from spreading the virus if she is infected herself.

 

The UK government have not advised the elderly to self isolate. However, people with breathing difficulties, such as my sister in law who suffers from COPD, and similar have been advised to do so. If the lady does find breathing difficult, she should not be outside.