Life After Coronavirus Lockdown: 10 Ways Our Lives Will Never Be The Same

Human life as we knew it has come to a standstill in many countries across the globe. In an effort to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, the lockdowns being experienced by many nations have led the people to wonder when it will finally end. A short answer would be, possibly soon but do not expect things to go back the way they were.

This is not a prediction for what is to come, rather a window into what's in store for countries like India -- an observation of different regions in the world and how they're fighting to regain some sort of normalcy while continuing to deal with COVID-19 pandemic. And the only thing constant across these regions is that nothing is same as before.

Reuters

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In the post COVID-19 era, physical and social distancing, wearing masks, getting screened for body temperature are the new norms. No matter the venue - offices, malls, restaurants, the story remains the same. A community terrified of the prospect of a second wave of infections is what can be seen in such places. China, Taiwan or Australia, different countries, same sights.

It is not a question of right or wrong practices anymore, because no country has it all figured out, and they're constantly vigilant of a resurgent wave. So instead, the social practice now followed largely depend on what is absolutely necessary. As the Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, mentioned recently ¡°It¡¯s going to be step by step, there is going to be some trial and error, this is completely uncharted territory. No country in the world has worked this out yet ¡­ we will all work together and we will all find a way through.¡±

(Representative Image: Reuters)

Only a look at the regions that have evolved from the pandemic can give us a real insight on what can be expected. So taking cues from places like Wuhan, Taiwan and other parts, here is what may happen in the coming months in places around the world under lockdown right now:

1. Only partial opening post lockdown

Once the lockdown in lifted in any region currently experiencing it, not all establishments are expected to start functioning right away. While only select workplaces will be allowed to operate with minimum attendance, the practice will also be followed for restaurants, malls, bars and other such places, mostly depending upon their locality and attendance allowed at any given point in time.

The basic understanding is that an organisation will not risk the majority of its occupants even with a single possible Coronavirus case. This brings us to the precautionary measures being followed in places that have opened.

2. Physical distancing is the new norm

Gone are the days when people would climb over each other to address a person on the counter. Maintaining physical distance from everyone around you is a compulsion in the post COVID 19 lockdown era and is strongly ensured by the authorities at any region.

Proper markers for people to stand in a queue, limited attendance in workplaces, shops, restaurants and even subways, and even the addressal of each customer separately is what is being observed in places in China. Even within a diner, people within a group are being served dishes separately, mentions a report by The Hindu.

Of course, this is only one part of the ongoing precautionary measures.

Physical distancing in practice. (Representative Image: BCCL)

3. Masks are mandatory

¡°The most important thing is you wear mask,¡± Peter Cui, a Wuhan worker mentions in a CNN report. The statement cannot be stressed enough, as apart from possibly being the crucial line of defense against the novel virus, masks have become a compulsion in almost every part of the country. No mask equates to no entry in almost any open establishment. Penalties are also being levied on those found outside their homes without wearing masks.

4. Your health is now a public record

Keeping your health data private is no longer an option. Within China, a person¡¯s health QR code generated through an app is the most legitimate criteria for anyone to be allowed or denied entry to an establishment.

One¡¯s status on the app depends on the travel history of the person and their previous points of contact. If everything is good, the app will mark one as Green, else Orange or Red - the indicators of a possible infection and hence a marker of quarantine.

India launches a similar app by the name of 'Aarogya Setu App'. The use of the app at a large scale though, is still to be seen.

5. Compulsory temperature screening

In case the data on the app is not good enough, temperature screening is compulsory before entering any campus. Any signs of an increased temperature can lead to a denial of entry into the campus and in a worst case scenario can lead to a compulsory hospitalisation by the authorities, even if it isn¡¯t necessarily a COVID-19 symptom.

Since regulating the app and its data is not a very viable practice for many other nations across the globe, temperature screening can be seen much more in effect than the former as a valid passport.

Temperature screening. (Representative Image: BCCL)

6. COVID 19 test results

Another mandate in select places is a COVID-19 test result that a person must possess as a proof of not being infected by the virus. Several organisations are abiding by the rule and will only let one enter the premises if tested negative for COVID 19.

7. Going to office is not the same

As mentioned above, not all workplace will open up right away post the lockdown. In fact, those that require their workforce to be in attendance will likely only be allowed to do so in part. Offices will have to regulate their attendance every day, keeping it at the bare minimum or as per the government regulations.

This means work from home is likely to be a continued practice for a long time to come and organisations will have to reshape their work flow accordingly.

8. Schools go online

Considering children to be a more vulnerable class of society to the COVID 19 disease, their exposure to the outside will largely be avoided as per the new norms. Schools in China have already moved to an online learning model.

As per The Hindu report, some ¡°300 million Chinese students in schools and universities are now taking classes online everyday.¡± These classes range across e-learning platforms and courses. A similar model can be followed in India post lockdown.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently mentioned that he sees the US schools being reopened around fall (autumn) with limited attendance.

Online classes being conducted (Representative Image: BCCL)

9. Better forget travelling for leisure

Travel and tourism has undoubtedly been the hardest hit industry from the ongoing pandemic. With the way things are unfolding post lockdown, it is easy to infer that the situation is likely to remain unchanged.

Part of the reason is a new-found hostility towards immigrants, who are being labelled as a possible way of bringing ¡°imported infections¡± to a region. This means that managing accommodation in a distant place is likely to be very tough on the lack of a proof of the traveller not being infected by COVID-19.

Even tougher is the travel. Airlines have been instructed to leave a seat¡¯s gap between passengers, which is likely to make air tickets expensive than before. Passengers are required to present proof of their wellbeing. This may be in the form of COVID-19 test results, temperature screening or health status from the app (and like measures).

It is possible that one would have to self-quarantine after every travel for a given number of days.

Countries like Taiwan have made special arrangement for such travellers. They have inducted special ¡°epidemic-prevention taxis¡± for people to commute from the airport to their quarantine facility. Such travellers are barred from using public transportation to avoid any possible transmission of COVID-19 to others. The cabs are disinfected after every trip and are not allowed to take local passengers at all as per a report.

Travellers in protective suits are seen at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. (Representative Image: Reuters)

10. Years-long struggle

The new norms are tough and not many are accustomed to them. So it is natural for the majority to wish things get back to normal without all these necessities in place for simple tasks like visiting a mall.

That, however, is only possible once a proven cure as well as a vaccine for the Coronavirus is found and is made available to the masses. Till then, experts claim that some form of lockdown to continue on an on-and-off basis until at least a year or two from now. The end to this will only be observed post ¡®herd immunity¡¯ for humans.