Not far enough or not necessary? Mixed reactions to new restrictions in Walsall
'Something like this could have such a huge impact on this town, but I think it's necessary to help fight this virus'.
There has been a mixed reaction to the news Walsall has been put at the high alert level of new restrictions announced by the Prime Minister.
Under the new restrictions, people living in Walsall borough can no longer mix indoors at all, but can do so outdoors and in private gardens with up to a maximum of six people, according to Boris Johnson's latest measures.
Along Walsall High Street, people were doing their weekly shops, chatting with friends and visiting cafés and eateries along the High Street.
With the restrictions starting today, people living in Walsall or who were just visiting to do some shopping had their say on what it would mean for the town.
The news was a surprise to 74-year-old Margaret Davis, from Pelsall, who said she didn't think it was as bad in Walsall as elsewhere.
She added: "It came as a big surprise to me as I really didn't think we were that bad and, in fact, I thought we'd be in the lowest level of this.
"In a way it doesn't affect my husband and I all that much, but it's going to have a big impact on the shops, pubs and restaurants around here."
Margaret's 77-year-old husband Malcolm said he wasn't surprised at the news and said the public had to work together to stop the spread.
He said: "I think that whatever it is, we need to all stick together and beat this virus.
"It doesn't matter what it is that we do, but you only live once and I want to be able to go out a lot more than I do now.
"So we need to do the little things, like wearing masks."
Kirsty Simpson works as a carer in the town for Five Care Services and the 25-year-old said she thought the restrictions were expected, but it would cause her childcare issues.
She said: "I think it was quite expected with the amount of people who are out and about, but it's going to cause a lot of issues as I think a lot of shops will have to close.
"However, because my dad looks after my son while I'm at work, it's going to make things difficult for me as I won't be able to take my son to him as households can't mix.
"It's going to impact my work as well as I'm going to have to take less work to look after my son."
For Janet, on a day out in Walsall from her home in Cheslyn Hay and who did not wish to give her surname, she felt the restrictions didn't go far enough in terms of making people wear masks.
The 85-year-old said: "I'm not surprised at all because not everyone is wearing a mask and I think that's the biggest problem.
"If everyone was wearing a mask, it would help stop the spread and I think Walsall is on the borderline of worse restrictions if people here aren't careful."
Other shoppers voiced their agreement with Janet about mask wearing, with 64-year-old Christine Richards from Walsall and 62-year-old Ian Oliver from Willenhall saying more should be done.
Ian said: "There should be more police out enforcing this to make sure people are wearing masks."
Christine said: "The restrictions could mean more shops closing.
"But I think that if you wear a mask, it helps to get rid of the virus and means we can get out of these restrictions."
Kathleen Moseley was another person visiting the town centre from her home in Short Heath to shop and the 72-year-old said the new restrictions were necessary to help beat the virus.
She said: "I think these restrictions are okay and necessary if we're going to beat this thing, so I hope that everyone adheres to them.
"I actually don't think the government has gone far enough with the restrictions as they should be listening to more medical opinion and doing a full lockdown for a bit."
