Six ways that ‘Lockdown 2’ is different to the first
Despite the deja-vu, it's important to note that things are different this time around in a number of ways. Here're some of the ways in which Lockdown Two varies to the restrictions in March.
Exactly four months ago, everything was beginning to look so much better.
Some pupils had returned to schools. Non-essential shops had begun to reopen. Football had kicked off again. Even pubs and restaurants had resumed serving customers.
But after a flickeringly brief return to a life that somewhat resembled normality, national COVID cases have now spiralled out of control the point where England has been forced to go back into hiding.
The first one lasted over three months. This one is supposed to end in four weeks.
Whether we exit Lockdown 2 on time remains to be seen. But despite the deja-vu, it’s important to note that this lockdown is different in a number of ways.
When the first lockdown came into force in March, the rules on meeting others were very strict.
The government banned socialising in most circumstances, but over time, exceptions to the rule were introduced – such as ‘bubbles’.
The official guidance this time around is more relaxed. You can actually meet one other person outside your bubble provided you’re outdoors, and you can bring your children along with you.
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The government states: “You can exercise or visit outdoor public places with the people you live with; your support bubble or, when on your own, 1 person from another household. Children under 5, as well as disabled people dependent on round-the-clock care are not counted towards the limit on two people meeting outside.”
Schools, universities and colleges will remain open during Lockdown 2 – unlike back in March when all education facilities were swiftly shut.
The decision to keep schools open has not been without controversy, with many individuals, unions and even Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asking the government to reconsider and close these premises until December 2.
But as things stand, schools are set to remain operational throughout Lockdown 2 – with COVID safety rules in place and the use of masks in communal areas.
All checkups and scheduled visits to dentists, opticians and other health services were cancelled during the first lockdown – with only emergency appointments available.
This time, however, health facilities are staying open.
The government states: “The majority of public services will continue and you will be able to leave home to visit them. These include the NHS and medical services like GPs and dentists. We are supporting the NHS to safely carry out urgent and non-urgent services and it is vital anyone who thinks they need any kind of medical care comes forward and seeks help.”
The most vulnerable people in England were told to ‘shield’ during the last lockdown – staying away from public places as much as possible whilst receiving extra support at home.
However, the government has confirmed it will not be encouraging people to shield in the same way during Lockdown 2.
Instead, the most vulnerable are being told to exercise caution – and whilst they are still advised to avoid busy public places like shops, they can exercise and go to schools.
5. Travel rules are slightly different
Pixabay
The government is discouraging all but essential trips around Britain and abroad, but there are a few subtle differences this time around.
For starters, anyone already abroad is not being urged to return home immediately, but should contact their carrier to determine travel arrangements. A 14-day self-isolation period may be required upon arrival, depending on where they’re travelling from.
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The full list of travel exemptions this time around includes:
travelling to work where this cannot be done from home
travelling to education and for caring responsibilities
to visit those in your support bubble – or your childcare bubble for childcare
hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
to buy goods or services from premises that are open, including essential retail
to spend time or exercise outdoors – this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)
attending the care and exercise of a pet, or veterinary services
In spring, the government declared that nobody should be leaving their house on more than one occasion to exercise.
That’s not the case this time.
Indeed, people are being encouraged to exercise as often as they like – provided they maintain their distance from others when outdoors.
Learn more about the restrictions coming into force today here.
News
Beloved plant-based independent street food business Herbivorous is set to close imminently
Danny Jones
We hate writing this, but we have news of yet another local hospitality closure as beloved Manchester-born and pioneering plant-based brand Herbivorous has confirmed they’ll soon be calling it a day.
If you can hear us sighing through the screen, apologies – we’re just getting really fed up of saying farewell to our favourites, so god knows how rubbish those involved feel.
As you can see, the team behind the multi-location vegan street food specialists began by writing: “It’s a long one so stay with me… It seems you can’t open social media at the moment without reading about another hospitality business closing down.
“Throughout 8 years of Herbivorous years we’ve come up against many challenges from Covid 5 years ago to watching all the big vegan brands from London and beyond come to Manchester and largely disappear again to the closure of Hatch our busiest site, but with continually increasing costs its becoming really difficult to maintain a thriving business.”
Herbivorous started out life back in 2016 as a cult hit at the old outdoor food, drink and entertainment hub centring around a ‘container village’, the first of its kind in the city and soon to reopen under new owners and a new name.
Since then, co-founders Robyn and Damian have gone on to expand not just to one permanent site over in Withington but with outposts in Sheffield and York, having gained a strong reputation with stalls and pop-ups all over.
Their hospitality story might not have the ending we personally would hope for, but it’s been a brilliant one for so many foodie fans – us lot included.
Nevertheless, they go on to add in the emotional statement that external pressures such as a recent bereavement and their own ever-growing family have also contributed to the decision which, despite being an understandably hard one, “feel like the right time.”
“We are so incredibly proud of how far we’ve come from spending long days slinging duck wraps from our green vintage horse box at festivals to three Herbi locations across the North of England”, they continue, “and with that we’ve also met so many fantastic people!”
“Whether you worked for us at a few festivals over [the] summer or for years at our restaurant, we just wanted to say and massive thank you! The memories will stay with us forever and, of course, how can we not mention our fabulous customers!
“Thank you all so much for choosing Herbivorous over the years. Those of you who had our food at Festivals and then found us at one of our permanent locations, those of you who came back week after week to Hatch, Spark, Withington and beyond.”
They signed off by detailing their final business days, with their Sheffield Kommune spot having already shut for refurbishment; meanwhile, their spot in SPARK York will be wrapping up on Saturday, 19 April.
As for their flagship brick-and-mortar venue here in Greater Manchester, Herbivorous Withington will be shutting on Friday, 25 April.
Once again, there’s nothing we can say other than thank you for years of delicious food, that we’re guttted to see you go, and that everyone at The Manc Group wishes you the best whatever comes next.
AJ Tracey is playing a VERY intimate gig in Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
London rapper and respected grime artist AJ Tracey is ‘live and direct’ once again, announcing a whole host of UK dates, one of which is a rather intimate gig right here in Manchester.
It’s official: one of UK rap’s leading gents is getting back on the road and he’s showing a ‘Little More Love’ to lots of cities, including Manchester.
In a post on the UK star’s socials, AJ Tracey trades his music persona for that of a sports pundit as he announces the dates for his upcoming tour while impersonating an F1 commentator.
Anyone looking to attend Tracey’s ‘Not Even A Tour’ can catch the star up and down the country on his over 20-date tour with a stop in Manchester as soon as this month.
The rapper has reached phenomenal heights since dropping the unforgettable ‘Ladbroke Grove’ in 2019 and is heading out across the nation to make sure everyone knows about it.
Get ready to spit bars left and right as this rapper’s discography is stacked with serious tunes like ‘Dinner Guest’, ‘West Ten’, ‘Thiago Silva’ and more.
More recently, he collaborated with Walsall’s finest Jorja Smith for a flirty garage beat also known as ‘Crush’ with the video being the two artists talking it out in a good old fashioned caff.
The latest collaboration with Smith marks the start of a new era for Mr. Live and direct as it fell in line with the announcement of his third studio album.
Titled Don’t Die Before You’re Dead, we’re sure he’ll be “building a vibe” wherever he goes and probably previewing a few exclusive tracks from his upcoming project too.
This gig may come as quite a surprise for any hardcore fans of the ‘Ladbroke Grove’ star as the venue in which he’s performing is definitely intimate only, holding just over 250 guests.
This rap giant is bringing his unbelievable beats to none other than the legendary small-cap city centre live music venue, The Deaf Institute, at the end of this month.
It’s safe to say you won’t get many more chances, if any, to see him in such a tight-knit space again.
AJ Tracey is bringing ‘Not Even A Tour’ to Deaf Institute in Manchester on 30 April, with tickets on sale Friday 4 April from 12 noon.
The Manc -
5th November 2020 
