Extended by 3 or 6 week

[newnamewhosthis]

Have just read an article on the metro website saying that Cabinet are split over decision to extend lockdown for three or six weeks.

I presumed it would last much longer that both options if I'm honest. I'm torn between wanting things to go back to normal and being terrified it's too soon.

Do you think it will be 3/6/longer ?

[Shitonthebloodything]

I'd be surprised if it was less than 12 weeks in total. All planning has been built around that by the sounds of the financial updates.

[paininthepoinsettia]

I think it will be in 3 week increments, merely for the sake of giving the nation some hope that lockdown will be over sooner rather than later. I can't see it being less than 12 weeks though.

[Igotthemheavyboobs]

I think it will be 12 weeks but they will tell us in shorter bursts.

[Parker231]

On the death rate, the UK are tracking Italy although several weeks behind. Italy have been on a much tougher lockdown than the UK and only now after eight weeks are letting some businesses start operating again.

[AppleKatie]

6 weeks takes us to the end of May that seems like a lot to tell us all in one go. 😒

[Krisskrosskiss]

Yeah I think they will lie and say 3 weeks then extend it again for 3 weeks at the end of that... that's what they already have been doing... they always knew they were going to have to lockdown at some point.. and they knew it wasnt only going to be for 3 weeks... they just have to try and not panic people... if people panic they wont comply

[expatinspain]

In Spain they keep extending for two weeks at a time. I'm sure they know they'll be extending for x period, but they want to tell the public in manageable chunks so people aren't overwhelmed by a long period of time. I'd imagine this is what they'll do in the U.K. too, so I'd imagine they'll say three weeks and then probably extend again.

[Parker231]

As we haven’t reached the peak let alone seen how long it takes to start reducing, no one, scientist or government can say. At the moment we’ve only got countries who are ahead of us to use as a guide.

[Justsaynonow]

Paris just extended lockdown to May 11. There's also a rumour circulating that the Schengen borders will be closed till September.

I agree with previous posters - they don't want to overwhelm the population by giving a long extension. It's more mentally manageable in smaller increments.

[nellythenarwhal]

I agree that they will say 3 weeks and then extend for another 3 weeks to reduce the odds of social unrest.

[Sunshinegirl82]

The emergency legislation requires them to perform a review of the lockdown every 3 weeks. Deadline for first review is 16th April.

[TokyoSushi]

I'm going with 4 x 3 weeks

[Bathroom12345]

Surely there will come a point where people just get tired of constantly staying in and of course no mention has been made of the deaths that will occur due to the impact on the economy tanking.

The care home situation is shocking though. What on earth is happening there?

[Itsjustmee]

I think it will be the whole 12 weeks so early June
But I don’t think everything will be fully reopened till Sept

[TowerRingInferno]

4 x 3 weeks minimum

[Bathroom12345]

Who are the people I wonder who want to keep the lockdown v economy? Are they people like the pensioners who don’t have so much to lose?

Genuine question.

[Mummyshark2018]

I think 3 weeks with 3 weekly reviews. I don't see how they could say 12 when they're reviewing medical evidence constantly. I think telling people 12 will be too much atm anyway.

[LaurieFairyCake]

12 weeks is the 15th June

[Heatherjayne1972]

I wish they’d said 12 weeks from the beginning
All this 3 weeks. And then 3 more and three more is daft. People will get fed up and lose patience
We need an end date. We need a plan of how and when this will end
It feels vague and woolly.

[swimlyn]

Let’s face it, nobody knows the right route to take. Here is some food for thought on ending the lockdown:

english.elpais.com/economy_and_business/2020-04-13/as-some-spaniards-return-to-work-today-experts-debate-whether-it-is-still-too-soon.html

[AlexaShutUp]

Who are the people I wonder who want to keep the lockdown v economy? Are they people like the pensioners who don’t have so much to lose?

I want the lockdown to be extended. Not a pensioner, and I have a lot to lose if the economy tanks. However, I feel that I have even more to lose if the virus is left to run rampant, so I will have to accept whatever financial consequences the lockdown might bring.

[newnamewhosthis]

I understand the process of 3 week segments, personally I would prefer a more realistic timeframe if they know it's going to be 6/9/12 weeks I could live with it knowing that at the end it was most likely back to work etc.

Interestingly I have read a few articles today about the health effect of a downturn in the economy more poverty etc that I hadn't considered. I understood that people (including me) could lose there jobs but didn't quite appreciate the nationwide impact.

[4forkssake]

Wasn't the 3 week rule the new law that was brought in on the Thursday after the lockdown started? And I believe it was to reassure people that those with the power wouldn't be able to use the lockdown as a power trip or unnecessarily whenever they felt like it & for however long they felt like it. I think anyone who thought the initial 3 weeks was going to be it is pretty naive & I also agree that it'll probable be 4x3 weeks at a minimum, & that may be made longer depending what the likes of Italy & Spain are like by then if they've lessened the lockdown.

[swimlyn]

I’m surprised at the lack of activity on this thread, which has many thoughtful posts.

Here’s a bit more from abroad:
english.elpais.com/society/2020-04-14/spanish-health-ministry-warns-that-the-coronavirus-could-be-spreading-in-homes.html


It’s interesting to see the radically different thought going into how to deal with the future, and how to move ahead from lockdown. It really is not just about the economy.

Bear in mind the Spanish lockdown was, and still is, much tougher than the UK.