Coronavirus: how will we ease restrictions and transition back to ‘normal life’?

It’s been over 100 days since we have been battling coronavirus globally. In the past 10 days, Europe has doubled its cases to almost one million, which means that 50% of the overall burden is in this part of the world.

To date, over 84,000 people in Europe have lost their lives during the pandemic, however, there have been optimistic signs of declining numbers in the harder hit areas, such as Spain and Italy.

On 16 April 2020, WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P.Kluge, shared updated information and insight on how the UK and Europe can expect to transition back to their normal, every day lives following the peak of the pandemic. Here’s what Dr P.Kluge has to say…

What is the current update on coronavirus?

"Of the 10 countries in Europe with the highest numbers of cases, there have been optimistic signs in terms of declining numbers in Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Switzerland in recent weeks. But small, positive signs in some countries are tempered by sustained or increased levels of incidence in other countries, including the UK, Turkey, Ukraine Belarus and the Russian Federation."

Although the situation is slightly improving in some areas, there are some countries that are yet to feel the full impact of COVID-19. Whilst the safety measures that were implemented - social distancing and lockdown - have helped to slow down and stop the virus from spreading, people are no doubt wondering how much longer that they will have to live like this.

As the infection rate is still not lowered enough as of yet in the UK, the government has confirmed that lockdown restrictions will continue for "at least" another three weeks. Other countries, such as Spain and Italy, however, are slowly beginning to ease their restrictions.
 

What can we expect when we do try to transition back to normal life?

"As we consider transition, we must acknowledge there are no quick wins. Complexity and uncertainty lie ahead, which means that we are entering a period where we may need to rapidly adjust measures, introduce and remove restrictions, and ease restrictions gradually, while constantly monitoring the effectiveness of these actions and the response of the public."

What are the guidelines recommended by WHO?

Steps taken to ease restrictions by local governments should adhere to the following:
 

• That there is evidence which shows COVID-19 transmission is controlled.
• The public health and health system capacities, including hospitals, are in place to identify, isolate, test, trace contacts and quarantine them.
• Outbreak risks are minimised in high-vulnerability settings – particularly in elderly homes, mental health facilities and people residing in crowded places.
• Workplace preventive measures are established – with physical distancing, handwashing facilities, respiratory etiquette in place.
• Importation risks can be managed.
• Communities have a voice and are engaged in the transition.
   

Dr P. Kluge advises: "Ultimately, the behaviour of each of us will determine the behaviour of the virus. This will take perseverance and patience, there is no fast-track back to normal."

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