The whole world is struggling to battle COVID-19 and there are lockdowns imposed in many countries. Even in India PM Modi extended the lockdown till 3rd May. But no one knows for sure when the lockdown will end. 

Now the WHO said that the lockdown can be lifted if countries meet the following 6 conditions. 

1. The spread of disease must be controlled. A few cases of COVID-19 are okay but the widespread of the disease must be controlled. 

2. The country's healthcare system should also have the ability to detect, test, isolate, and treat every case (irrespective of severity and origin), and quarantine all their contacts. The WHO said that if a country is only focussing on treating serious cases, then they are not ready to lift lockdown. 

3. Places like cities, nursing homes, hospitals are at a higher risk of COVID-19. Because the virus can spread easily and very quickly. Before lifting the lockdown, countries need to make sure that these places are secure and there are healthcare facilities to control any infections. 

4. Countries need to impose strict preventive measures in schools & workplaces before imposing lockdown. Rules such as physical distancing, hand washing, respiratory etiquette and temperature monitoring must be imposed. 

5. A country may follow all the rules but it is still very easy for the virus coming from foreign countries. Before removing lockdown, strict rules of travel must be imposed and everyone must be checked properly when they enter the country. 

6. We may all think that once lockdown ends things will be back to normal. No. There will be a “New Normal”. This means once lockdown ends, we all have to be more careful about our environment, take care of our health and help those around us. This may seem very stressful but it is for our own safety. Countries need to create awareness about this among the people and explain to them before lifting the lockdown. 

Tags

• Lockdown
• COVID-19
• WHO

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