FOLLOWING the Downing Street press conference on Wednesday (December 8), new Covid guidelines have been set out and will come into place from next week.


The people of Darlington gave their opinion on the implementation of new rules.


Joanne Stewart, 39, of Darlington said: "I'll follow the new rules but I think it's very confusing with all the mixed messages with that Downing Street party."


Sam Butterfield, 21, of Darlington said: "I think the new rules probably are necessary over the winter but are we going to have to have a new vaccine for every variant? I got vaccinated because I want to go away."

Read more: Boris Johnson is already considering stricter Covid measures - full list


Jo Neesan, of Darlington, said: "The new rules are good because it's winter. I'll be following the new restrictions."


Pauline Taylor, of Darlington, said: "I think it's a bit of a farce with all that stuff about the Downing Street Christmas party coming out. I work for the NHS so I wear a mask at my desk every day anyway so the new restrictions won't affect me too much."


Louise Roberts, 48, said: "I'm getting bored of it all now. I don't see why people are refusing the vaccine when it's offered to them though. I'm sure there are people in other parts of the world who would love to have the vaccine but it isn't available to them."

Read more: Hundreds in North East hospitals with Covid on day of Downing Street party


Pete Daniels, 63, said: "Well I don't think the new restrictions go far enough really. The government has always been three steps behind the pandemic.

"I doubt the unvaccinated will refuse oxygen when they're in hospital. If you're that vulnerable that you are exempt from wearing a mask, you shouldn't be going here, there and everywhere, should you? The government should probably bring in a system where if you truly are exempt, you should have a medical note saying that. It's just far too easy for people to just say 'I'm exempt' without having to prove anything and no one challenges them."

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