Post Lockdown Scenario .............

A few countries have given relaxation after stringent lockdown restrictions. Country like New Zealand has recorded no new cases since 5th May 2020 (as per the CNN report). Many countries are still struggling with the increase in positive cases as compared to recovery.

Post-Lockdown Scenario

Now countries are looking forward to restart the economic activities so that people will slowly get back to normal life, although economists are of the opinion that it will take months to get pace of normalcy. People are confused about the post lockdown, social distancing and socialising rules. They are worried about the scenarios, when they will meet their friends and office employees in person. According to Julie Leask- a social scientist at University of Sydney, It is hard to establish new habits, particularly when it is so fundamental to what we have grown up with. Like hugging friends, shake hands, kissing- which is a gesture of greeting etc.

Social Distancing and Socialising Rules

Every individual has to take responsibility and pay attention on social distancing, hand hygiene and face cover. Governments and medical professionals can only guide about the measures. Hence the biggest challenge is human behaviour and understanding.

Meeting People and Travelling

Travel only if necessary; avoid flocking. People have to maintain social distance of 1.5/2 meters (as stated by authorities) while travelling and use face mask. If someone has to address meetings/ conferences, lecturing or interacting with a large group in person, they need to wear face shield. Face shield is a protective cover that serves as a physical barrier to the particles when you or someone else breathe, cough or sneeze.

Restaurants /Eating Outlets

Restaurants / eating outlets will reopen with certain limitations such as limits of number of patrons. In Japan, restaurants have decided to reopen with less human contact between customer and staff. No waiter will visit you to present menu and take order. Customers are requested to use Smart-phones to place order by using a QR code. When the food will be ready, it will be delivered at your table. Food will be served with a plastic lid. In some of the restaurants there will be robots to serve the food.

Malls/Shopping Centres

In some countries malls /Shopping centres will open on odd and even basis with 33% or 25% staff. Social distancing, facemask and sanitization would be strict norm for the malls/shopping centres. But still there are some doubts whether a customer can try the clothing stuff before buying or not. None of the authorities and malls has provided any guidelines in this regard. Hence guidelines are awaiting!

Educational Institutions

Reopening of the educational institutes is the biggest challenge across countries. Although, some institutes/schools opened in China after one and half months lockdown with measures to prevent infection include scanning, staggered timetable specified walking space, distancing in the classroom and proper ventilation. Some schools are even making students, pass through thermal imaging cameras and have their temperature checked on their way in.

Some schools in Denmark opted to teach children outdoors with the warmer spring weather across Europe. Around 10% of parents have chosen to keep their children away from school. In India, educational institutions will remain closed till July2020. However across the World, school / institutes have reopened with different norms. Students per class have been reduced to 15-20, to maintain social distancing. Frequent hand washing and desk cleaning is being encouraged. Several institutes are using online teaching and e-learning modules to keep learning alive.

Salons/Beauty Parlours

Countries have given permission to reopen salons/ beauty services. Salons have to follow the social distancing and take care of hygiene and sanitisation process. After getting the node from the authorities, salons are changing the entire set up to follow the social distancing norm. They have reduced chairs and are putting a plastic shield in between two chairs. Staff like hairdressers will wear PPE with face shield, gloves and face mask. They have to clean scissors, combs and other objects after every single use. One person has to manage one customer at a time without any assistant. Also they will not offer tea, coffee or magazines to keep the hygiene.

Salons experience will be completely different after post lockdown and the operational cost will also increase. It may have an effect on customers’ pockets.

Metros/Buses/Trains

Bus/train operators are of the opinion, that they will be unable to maintain social distancing norm in a coach with 30 seats capacity. Infact passengers themselves have to maintain social distancing while travelling by bus/metros. People are concerned that social distancing will make for long waiting time other than the journey. In cities like Mumbai - India, local trains that works 365 days a year, have not being functioning. Indian authorities are trying to chart out a plan to resume trains and metro soon. They are planning to ask companies/offices to implement staggered work schedule of five hours a day. They have also asked companies to ensure maximum number of employees have to work from home. This may reduce the travellers’ crowd in trains as well as on roads.

However Post lockdown will be more challenging. Essentially, citizens’ have to ensure that they follow government guidelines of COVID 19 for their health and safety. Everyone has to continue to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travelling. Use technology to meet people rather than in person.

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Source: www.abc.net.au/, www.express.co.uk, edition.cnn.com, www.indiatoday.in, www.channelnewsasia.com