Coronavirus: How Countries are Easing Lockdowns

In the midst of the coronavirus, following the example of China, a lot of countries besides Pakistan are planning on easing lockdown restrictions. While the impact of such a policy is yet to be seen, since a rise in cases might require another stringent lockdown, it is worth noting how countries are approaching easing restrictions.

In Pakistan, manufacturing and construction sectors are being prioritized since these are the most labor-intensive sectors. Moreover, as previously discussed in our research articles, the multiplier effect of the construction sector is such that it can lead to a revival of over 70 different sectors associated. Therefore, it is smart to give an industry status to construction sector.

In Spain – which after Italy has seen more deaths from the virus than any other European country – the government, like Pakistan, is allowing some workers in the industrial and construction sector to head back to work. Most Spaniards, however, are expected to remain at home, as schools and restaurants remain shut.

Italy, meanwhile, has opted to extend its strict lockdown measures, though as of next week there will be a limited reopening, with businesses such as bookshops and stores selling children’s clothing, as well as forestry and timber production, are allowed to resume operations.

Austria will allow some non-essential shops to reopen. And in Denmark, some day care institutions and elementary schools will also resume activities this week. The Czech Republic last week already allowed a limited number of businesses, such as bicycle stores and building material shops, to reopen.

In Denmark, schools and nurseries for children up to the age of 11 have resumed operations.

In Germany, after a video conference with the heads of Germany’s 16 states, Ms. Merkel has announced the gradual loosening of the strict lockdown measures.

Schools can reopen “gradually and very slowly” after 4 May, with new safety measures for breaks and school buses, and priority given to those students with exams. “It will be a great logistical effort and it needs very careful preparation,” Ms. Merkel said.

Shops of up to 800 square meters (8,600 sq ft) could be able to restart their businesses going forward, provided they have “plans to maintain hygiene”.

Moreover, car dealers, bicycle shops and book stores can all reopen, regardless of their size. Hairdressers will be allowed to open their doors from May 4th, provided they too comply with strict hygiene measures.

India has laid out plans for the gradual reopening of its economy, which will permit some manufacturing, agricultural work, and other activities to resume on a limited basis after April 20, provided they are not in designated coronavirus hotspots.

But the country’s lockdown will remain one of the strictest in the world, with all domestic and international flights, trains, buses, metros, taxi services, rickshaws, and other public transport services remain suspended.

Undoubtedly, Pakistan has avoided the first wave of the pandemic, however the risk of a second wave remains all the more serious. For developing countries like Pakistan, one of the most serious concerns is implementation of social distancing. Crowding as a phenomenon needs to be eliminated for at least a year, and governments need to seriously evaluate how this can be done, given the limited resources that are at their disposal.

As a recommendation, going forward provincial governments can establish Social Distancing Authorities within every district to ensure that strict guidelines are implemented in each and every sector of the economy. However, given the scale of this outbreak, Pakistan government’s machinery, much like the rest of the world, is limited. It will therefore be the responsibility of each and every individual to ensure their and everyone else’s safety by maintaining proper distance and hygiene.