How well are Sheffielders doing their bit to stick to social distancing rules?

Currently, Sheffield is on the Government’s ‘watchlist’, which includes areas where the virus is spreading quickly and ones which may be potential locations for local lockdown measures to be implemented.

It comes as the infection rate for the virus has continued to rise, now standing at 43.1 new cases per 100,000 of the population in a week, according to the latest data released on September 17.

Last week health bosses in Sheffield warned that people should ‘not be complacent’ following a rise in the number people being treated for coronavirus at hospitals.

And, walking through the city centre on a sunny September afternoon it appears that most are taking note.

It seems that, by in large, residents are fully aware of the potential dangers that getting to close to others can pose – with many actively seeking to remain at least two metres away from those outside their household groups or bubbles when carrying out their daily tasks.

On Devonshire Green – which would have been packed with sunworshippers pre-covid – only a handful of people can be seen catching the rays either by themselves or in small groups.

Elsewhere along places such as Division Street and Surrey Street, shoppers use the new pedestrianised zones to their advantage in an effort to maintain social distancing rules.

In the Peace Gardens, people enjoy a spot of lunch or time with friends watched over by mounted police to limit any illegal gatherings of more than six people.

It is a new norm that we have all been forced to become accustomed to – but is everyone sticking to the rules? We asked Sheffielders their thoughts.

Neil Simpson, 63, from Wincobank, nearly lost a freind to the illness. He said: “Some people are keeping socially distanced out of common sense. There are lots of people in the pubs and it is crowded but outside most are sticking to the rules. It’s not hard to put a face mask on and some people need to stop thinking they’re hard done to by having to put one on.

"A close friend nearly died from Covid-19, it does exist. People need to start believing that. I live in a block of flats where a lot of older people live and some of them have locked themselves inside and haven’t been outside since the beginning of this all. I noticed it was really quiet during lockdown but now people are starting to come out again. I went to the showroom cinema yesterday and they were keeping people spaced out.

"I definitely feel pretty safe when out in the city centre. I’m doing my bit. I know people are annoyed that they can’t go out and watch the football or that things aren’t happening but do we want people to fall ill and possibly die?

"It won’t be happening forever. We need to grow up.”

Alice Kirvin, 28, from Wybourn, has heard the sound of parties. She said: “I think when people are walking they get too close together in general. In some places people are doing particularly. I’ve seen a lot of people wearing masks and feel safe when I come to the city centre, as a university student I’m here a lot. I just make more of a conscious effort to avoid people.”

“In Wybourn it’s been quiet. Out and about people follow the rules. I haven’t seen any larger groups of more than six people but I’ve heard parties going even after the rules of six was imposed.”

Jasmine Warwick, 70, from Heeley, said: “People are keeping their distance, I’ve noticed that people are more careful especially when walking around the city centre. People are great in Heeley as well and for the most part of socially distancing. It’s about putting in that extra effort to be aware of those around, people need to be careful of themselves and others. I feel safe walking around the city centre though and also when using public transport.”

The government’s rule of six, which came into force across England on September 14, applies to gatherings both indoors and outdoors.

The new rules also mean pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses must now legally collect customers' details to aid with contact tracing.

Carol Donaldson, the new landlady of The Railway Hotel on Bramall Lane, said at times the new rules have been hard to police but that the majority of customers have stuck to them.

“On match days the rules have been hard to police,” she said. The other day we had two lads stood at the back and I got told off so we’re having to be more strict. I can’t grumble though because most of the lads have backed me up, they’ve been good customers sticking to the rules.

"We've got barriers and extra tables in to make sure people can stick to groups of six. To be fair, on match days in the kop they like to stand and shout and cheer. Watching in the pub it’s hard for them to sit down. I’ve just had to tell them that they’ll have to leave if they don’t sit down and I don’t want that.

"Most of them don’t want to get me into trouble so they’ve got to follow the rules.”

In a speech to the House of Commons on Wednesday, Boris Johnson set out several new measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus such as requiring retail staff to wear face coverings.

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