What is a lockdown? Thanks for asking!

It’s estimated that up to 50% of the world’s population has been under some form of lockdown since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Governments have imposed these measures to reduce physical contact and stop the disease from spreading. The current lockdown in India, which has a population of 1.3 billion people, is reported to be the largest in human history. 

Although restrictions vary from country to country, the general principles of a lockdown remain the same. Only essential businesses are allowed to remain open. People are being ordered or advised to stay in their homes all the time apart from certain exceptions. Those include going to work if remote work isn’t an option, buying essential supplies like food, and helping vulnerable people like elderly family members. 

Some countries require their citizens to print and sign an official form any time they go out. Law enforcement officers can then carry out spot checks.  

So schooling, exercise, watching movies and dining are all exclusively home-based activities for the time being. Towns and cities across the world are practically deserted. 

So, what’s the best advice for those living in lockdown?

It's best to not to let yourself go during the lockdown period. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, by getting regular exercise, sticking to a balanced diet and sleeping well. In most countries, citizens are allowed to do some daily exercise outdoors, as long as they avoid other people and don’t go too far from their homes.

You also need to protect your mental health. Being in lockdown and aware of the Coronavirus threat is a stressful situation for many. It’s important to get the facts from a trustworthy source of information. But if you feel anxious, consider limiting the time you spend following media coverage, especially when you’re feeling anxious.

And while we may not be able to see friends and loved ones in person, we can still stay in contact via social media and video calling apps. 

When’s it all going to end then? And could we go back into lockdown mode at any time? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !

If you want to know what is lockdown in french : https://podcasts.ba-ba-bam.com/maintenant-vous-savez/202004060500-quest-ce-que-le-confinement.html

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