What is happening in the UK?
New Covid-19 Rules and Protests
By Hannah G, School Prefect
As we have all noticed, the world has been flipped upside down this year. Many legends and icons have passed away, police brutality is rising in multiple countries, and a deadly virus has been travelling around the globe.
It is hard for us to keep up with the Covid rules as they have kept chopping and changing, but at this moment in time we have entered another national lockdown. This can be a very daunting time for young people and their families, especially those with loved ones who have underlying health conditions.
School may also become more overwhelming and confusing for students, especially for those in Year 11 who are faced with the added pressure of exams, so make sure you support one another. If you are not able to do this in person, you can always do it virtually. This is our chance to prove we are resilient and can get our education back on track, even during the toughest of times. Our teachers are here to guide and support us and hopefully we will all make it through with great exam results! Remember to stay determined and to encourage each other to push yourself past your limit: we can only get smarter and better!
If you want to keep up-to-date with the changing government rules, here are some of the rules as they currently stand:
- you must not socialise in groups indoors or outdoors. You may meet with one person from another household outside of the home
- businesses and venues have to close if they are deemed as ‘non-essential’; however, essential business can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner the restaurant business can only operate through a ‘take-away’ only system as customers are no longer allowed to eat inside their venues
- nurseries, schools, colleges and universities remain open but children over the age of 11 must wear face masks to protect themselves and staff
- households are encouraged to take part in daily exercise to improve their health, during the national lockdown
- in households where someone is living on their own, they are allowed to form a ‘social bubble’ with one other household during the month-long lockdown
- parents are allowed to continue to have informal childcare support.
- members of the public must: wear a face covering in those areas where this is mandated
You should continue to:
- follow social distancing rules, if you have to go into the workplace
- work from home where you can effectively do so
- when travelling, plan or avoid busy times and routes; walk or cycle if you can
Another way of staying on top of the virus and in control is by keeping up-to-date with current affairs. Here are some links to recent news articles on the Coronavirus outbreak:
A vaccine update: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13023540/coronavirus-uk-news-tier-3-lockdown-vaccine-tests-live/
UK quarantine rules: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-quarantine-idUSKBN27A0G
There have also been many protests happening for several reasons, mostly due to world conflict and political injustice. Get educated on these and do your part to help the world!
End Sars protests: How can you help people in Nigeria from the UK?
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/end-sars-nigeria-protests-police-violence-how-to-help-donate-uk-lagos-b1226663.html
UK: Virus cases climb as protesters march in London
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-virus-cases-climb-as-protesters-march-in-london/2018107
UK High Commission shuts down visa centres in Nigeria due to #EndSARS protests
https://nairametrics.com/2020/10/21/just-in-uk-high-commission-shuts-down-visa-centres-in-nigeria-due-to-endsars-protests/
We, at Hampton High, do our best to stay up to date with the world, to stay in line with government rules and regulations, and to take part in various charities. Make sure you stay safe and follow the rules so we can get through this together. #ENDSARS BY DOING YOUR PART!
