Lockdown Dates - What do they really mean?

I have been reading posts on dates being extended for the lockdown period - but what do these dates really mean?

You could argue that they are becoming somewhat irrelevant and perhaps give false hope that we are all going to wake up on a set date and life will return to normal - that just isn't going to happen.

Rather than giving out dates, I would be more interested to understand the 'criteria' that might be used to ease the restrictions currently in place. It could be % figures of cases v's recoveries, a flat curve on the death rate, or some other factor? I also wonder what the 'plan' is on any given date?, as I cannot imagine we are all going to flood onto the streets, beaches, bars, restaurants etc?

In terms of any 'date', I will make my own mind up when this might be, and when I feel comfortable to venture out again.

Just my thoughts - stay safe everyone!

As the purpose of the lockdown is to reduce the number of hospital cases in order to try to help the medical services to cope......I would assume that once the numbers of those affected drops to a level that the hospitals can cope with then, a relaxation of restrictions....probably in part will occour.

I imagine that the restrictions will stay in place until the authorities gauge that the risks of catching the virus have dropped to a low enough level that the health services would be able to cope with those who do fall victim. Lifting them any earlier could just see numbers - and deaths - explode again.

Saying that you will make up your own mind when that might be is both arrogant and selfish.

When I said make my own mind up, I mean AFTER the lockdown date has been passed and restrictions eased - NOT BEFORE!! I wouldn't be stupid and arrogant enough to just blindly go out before. Sorry for any confusion.

I understood exactly what you meant. I’m the same, if I don’t feel confortable going into a crowded room after lockdown has ended, I won’t be. Why A.N.Other has to turn it into yet another antagonistic post is beyond me

Sage wrote:As the purpose of the lockdown is to reduce the number of hospital cases in order to try to help the medical services to cope......I would assume that once the numbers of those affected drops to a level that the hospitals can cope with then, a relaxation of restrictions....probably in part will occour.

I agree. Once the daily rate of new cases drops to an acceptable level, the government will lift restrictions. They won't continue with them any longer than is absolutely necessary for the medical services to cope, it's hurting the country financially and economically.

In my opinion, the first week or two after restrictions have been lifted will be the time you will be most likely to catch it when everyone mingles again.

It may be a gradual relaxation of the lockdown conditions, say, allowing people out to exercise, some smaller shops opening , hardware etc but no pubs or restaurants yet
No pub quizzes or similar for a long time yet

This is today’s El Pais headline
Spanish PM secures congressional support to extend state of alarm

Now, if people see that but don’t read the article then they’ll likely spread that as there’s to be another extension
Actually it simply refers to the current delay and that it’s only just been approved
We need to read and listen to facts not rumours

ANABEL DÍEZ
Madrid - 26 MAR 2020 - 09:15 CET
The state of alarm in Spain, which has confined the population to their homes since March 15 in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, will continue until April 12. This was confirmed last night by the Congress of Deputies, when the measure proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE was supported by both right-wing and left-wing parties, with the abstention of pro-independence groups such as the Catalan Republican Left (ERC).

[quote][/quote] I agree. Once the daily rate of new cases drops to an acceptable level, the government will lift restrictions. They won't continue with them any longer than is absolutely necessary for the medical services to cope, it's hurting the country financially and economically.

In my opinion, the first week or two after restrictions have been lifted will be the time you will be most likely to catch it when everyone mingles again.


I think this is a real issue TonTri - we don't know what the recovery strategy is, and the danger of second, third or more waves is obvious. It will be very instructive to see what happens in Sweden, which - alone - is adopting something close to a "herd immunity" policy...in other words Let's Get This Over With". Brave and risky but could be proved right, rather than cripple the economy, with all the mayhem and suffering that will involve down the years.