In the post coronavirus world, what will be the new normal?

With an increasing number of world leaders accepting the fact that coronavirus is here to stay, and humanity will have to learn to live with it, social distancing, wearing masks, and reduced workforce might become the new normal in the post-pandemic world.

Hyderabad: The world finally seems to be slowly recovering from a prolonged lockdown. In spite of fear, people are returning to their daily routines. In some countries, children are getting ready to go to school. Even as the pandemic continues to terrify the world, governments are all set to repair the floundering economies. But the normalcy post lockdown will be different from that in the past. The coronavirus has made wearing masks a norm. Shaking hands and sitting close by are frowned upon. Going forward, we must embrace social distancing.

Historians say that decline in contagion and mortality rate combined with reduced fear among the public are indicators to understand that a pandemic is under control. In the case of COVID-19, none of these indicators have been checked off yet. There is no cure nor are there hopes of a vaccine. Countries which managed to control the contagion and those who chose to bite the lockdown bullet have now realised that starvation is a bigger risk than coronavirus.

World leaders have clarified that we must learn to live with coronavirus. Containment measures are limited to red zones alone. In countries like India, disease awareness and increased medical facilities have restored the confidence of its citizens.

Offices worldwide are getting ready to open with new regulations, which will allow the employees to come in three different shifts on a rotational basis. Software companies are gearing up to increase work from home options for their employees. Schools are being opened in some countries. However, social distancing, personal hygiene and sanitizer-equipped classrooms are the standards being stressed upon. Restarting world economies is closely connected to reopening schools. Unless schools reopen, one of the working parents cannot get back to office. This was one of the main reasons that drove Germany and Denmark to reopen schools and daycare centers. It is to be noted that Sweden did not shut down its schools at all. But the nation strictly enforced social distancing.

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Austria is reopening schools this week. In each class, students will be divided into two groups. Students in the A group will attend classes from Monday to Wednesday and those in B group will attend on Thursday and Friday. Those who wish to stay home can avail online classes.

Many countries are admitting 20 students in a classroom made for 40. A high school in Neustrelitz, Germany, is distributing self-administered testing kits to its students. Since it is summer in India, most schools are closed for vacations. Arrangements are being made to conduct tenth and intermediate exams. Several universities have already been delivering lectures through online mode.

Germany has stipulated that that no more than two families can meet for festivals or events. New Zealand and Australia have made similar rules. On Monday, France eased its lockdown norms. After about two months, the French are able to venture out of their homes without permits. Paris Metro is implementing social distancing in seating arrangements. Lockdown restrictions were lifted in half of Spain. A park was built in Vienna, Austria, with social distancing in mind. There is a gate at each entrance. Only a single person per path is allowed at a time. Others have to wait for their turn.

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Experts suggest that four factors must be considered before lifting the lockdown – 1. Ability to provide medical services to every corona patient. 2. Availability of kits to test every asymptomatic patient. 3. Resources to trace and monitor each patient and their contacts. 4. A downward trajectory of coronavirus cases for 14 days.

From Tuesday, about 15 trains were scheduled from New Delhi to several state capitals. There is a possibility of restarting a limited number of buses and taxis. Traffic, overcrowded buses and trains, taxis and autos violating headcount were normal before corona. From now on, only 20 people can travel in a 40-seater bus. The Road Transport Corporations (RTC) in several Indian states are planning to enforce many such rules.

It is estimated that annually, 4.5 crore Indians migrate from one state to another in search of work. Owing to the lockdown, lakhs of migrant workers lost their livelihoods and became homeless. Under these circumstances, some of them ventured to their hometowns on foot. These workers are now being sent to their destinations through special trains and buses. Special flights are deployed to bring back Indians stranded abroad.

Shanghai Disneyland reopened on Monday. The administration made it mandatory for the visitors to wear masks and follow social distancing. The Chinese government has fixed an upper limit of 24,000 visitors per day, which is less than one-third of the usual number. This is the first Disneyland to have reopened since the lockdown. In the wake of this restart, Disney’s share value has risen to 8 per cent.

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