Video: People of Birmingham explain the latest Covid restrictions

Following the re-introduction of some coronavirus safety restrictions, there have been some conflicting understanding about what we can and can’t do.

On the one hand there is no legal requirement for people to cancel Christmas parties or stop close contact with others - and masks are not required in hospitality settings.

Yet business minister George Freeman has urged larger businessess to “re-think” their Christmas party plans.

And masks are now mandatory in shops, and we are being urged to use “common sense” on social distancing and mask wearing when meeting others.

Do you fully understand the latest rules around coronavirus? Will you continue with your Christmas plans as usual?

Some countries in mainlaind Europe seem to have made it very clear what their rules are (such as excluding the unvaccinated from certain aspects of daily life), do you feel that the UK should be following their lead? Are you happy to wear a mask and limit contact if it means avoiding a lockdown?

There’s a lot to consider, so we took to the streets of Birmingham to see how the people of the city are viewing the latest advice.

‘A bit constricting, but I support wearing masks indoors’

Nathan says: “I feel like its a bit constricting and like, honestly, in terms of the Covid thing, I don’t really know many people that have gotten Covid. I’ve gotten it twice myself.  I managed to recover after a few days, but I don’t really think it’s as serious as like the government proclaim it is.

“In terms of the new regulations, in terms of the masks and stuff, yeah, I believe it should be done. I believe people should wear masks inside just to be on the safe side. But in terms of - I’ve been hearing news about us going back into a new lockdown - I really don’t think it’s necessary.”

‘We’re cancelling our Christmas party’

Neil says: “I’m just about to cancel our Christmas party at Cafe Rouge because a few people have gone down with the virus. A few members of my slightly more distant family have got it. And so I’m just going to go home today and start working from home from tonight.

“I’ve tested yesterday, I think. And I was fine. I’m certainly making changes, sadly, to my Christmas plans.“

‘I’m a bit confused. I just don’t get it’

James says: “Yeah. I don’t really understand because it keeps changing. It’s like masks on buses and stuff like that, but then people are going shopping and go to football games, and they’re not wearing masks and stuff like that. And so I’m just a bit confused. I just don’t get it.”

‘It is what it is’

Katie says: “Well, I get why the regulations are in place. I don’t have no issues with it. Obviously with them being put into place, I’ve had a Christmas party that was meant to come up, but it’s been canceled. So it’s a bit of a pain, but it is what it is, do you know what I mean?”

‘Masks are back on - that’s all I know’

Anthony says: “Well I’m going to be honest. I know like masks are back on. So like that’s literally the only thing that I know - the masks back in the shops, when you’re on the trains, when you’re in work basically, just make sure you’ve got them on.

“But apart from that, let’s literally sort of really all I know. And just making sure that, you know, you’re doing the day-to-day stuff, washing your hands, hand sanitizer, you know, stuff like that. So that’s pretty much second nature.”

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