Why are the lockdown dates different all over Europe?

[Amymayapple]

Each country has given a date of when restrictions will be lifted. I am in Ireland and we have been given April 19th, it seems so far away, especially as we started restrictions two weeks earlier than the UK, so it will be five weeks total of restrictions for us.

How are they making these decisions, do you think? See that the two most infected countries in Europe - have the earliest dates of when restrictions will be lifted.

Dates announced:

Italy - April 3
Spain - April 11
France - April 1
Germany - April 6
U.K. - April 13
Belgium - April 5
Portugal - April 2
Ireland - April 19

Oh FGS, it is a pandemic, we just have to look at China, Italy and Spain to see what devastation this can cause.

Be thankful that restrictions ARE in place before the country is overwhelmed.

Not the time to be bickering. Just read the official updates and move on.

you don't see how telling someone they are posting nonsense...on a thread where they are asking questions and concerned?

I think it's important that in a time where we are concerned that we stick to facts. You posted information as if it was fact. It's not. That is your mistake and nothing else.

Alright hun

Erm?

BJ did say an initial 3 week lockdown so yes it would be up for review on April 13th.

Each Government would have an idea of how it works in their particular country and the powers that they have to implement these

Macron has said at least 6 weeks for France - I suspect the UK will follow with an extra 3 weeks

But who knows

@thecanterburywhales I am confused that you would think that I would say "thanks for telling me". to someone who said "I am writing nonsense".

I have pointed out that myself and many others were confused about what is going on. Saying to someone who is confused in a pandemic about what is going on, that they are writing nonsense, is very strange to me.

So what are you guys thinking - that it could be 3 - 4 months?

Hi OP if it makes you feel better I think the main part of the lockdown in China was 7 weeks at most. I can't see a severe lockdown lasting more than that. Restrictions yes, but not what we have now.

The UK’s restrictions almost definitely won’t be lifted on the 13th. I imagine it’ll be at least another 3 weeks, then things will start to reopen gradually. Then another few periods of restrictions.

Thank you @cologne4711

I think most posters are confused as to why you are confused when everyone who answered you gave you the correct answer.
An answer nobody likes, but which is true.

My daughter - 200 miles away in Ireland and frontline staff - reckons we won't see her before the end of May.

@thecanterburywhales do you come on mumsnet just to bitch?

Thank you @eggandonion. She would know.

China has lifted some restrictions in the past few days, but they were a damn sight more locked down than anywhere else. Most countries will be seeing stricter restrictions brought in before the see any lifted.

This is a genuine question OP... do you read the news? And read about what’s going on in other countries? If so, I think it’s fairly obvious that it isn’t going to be a simple case of ‘three weeks at home then back to normal’.

I am going to try and move closer to my brother then. I am in another part of Ireland by myself. I really thought this was only going to go on for a few more weeks.

If it is going to be months - I need to be near some one I know.

@HoffiCoffi13 I do read the news. And I have friends all over the world, I used to teach abroad. They have been texting me with updates about their countries.

My Spanish friends have been texting me, that lockdown will be lifted in Spain on 11th April. They thought the same thing that I did. That this was over in April

Amymayapple my IL’s live in Spain. They have already had their lockdown extended by 15 days from the initial 2 week period given, and they are accepting of the fact that it may be extended again.

@hofficoffi13.

I am looking at the text on my phone from my friend in Spain.

"I can't wait until April 11, when lockdown is over".

well....now I realise...I just need to prepare for the long haul

OP - people want this to be over ASAP, so they read things into the government statements which aren't there. It's hard to get your head around, but right now these restrictions are indefinite. They will be reviewed on the dates given by the government, but they are highly unlikely to be lifted.

Rather than counting down the days to 'release', why not try to focus energy on a project at home? It's hard, I know. And it's really shit, but for your own mental health it's better not to get too excited about things that may not happen on the day you think.

Right now, 'the foreseeable future' = a day or so, at most.

OP I'm in Ireland too.

I can't understand how you ever thought it would be over by 19 April 🤷🏻‍♀️

From the very first announcement 2 weeks ago today, the Government emphasised that these were initial measures, more stringent measures could come in (and they have).

Already, university campuses, for example, have said they'll remain closed for teaching for the remainder of the semester (that's May).

It couldn't have been clearer. This is not short-term. There are no definitive dates. The situation is under review as data emerges.

It will be different for each country because the virus has affected countries differently, from the horror of Italy, to the more managed South Korea.

Please take some time to listen to 6 & 9 pm RTE news that will give you clear reliable updates each day

I really doubt Spain will lift lockdown by 11 April.

We have to prepare for a long haul with this bastard virus.

OP, no one can tell, but in fairness, the Government in Ireland is doing it in increments. If you feel you need to go to your family that's probably a good call. Will help you, and IF the restrictions are lifted earlier, you can come back.

Wishing you well. Decide over the weekend I think.

@EarringsandLipstick my flatmate just got off the phone to his mother. She thinks that restrictions are being lifted on the 19th

Amy it may not be possible under the current rules to move.

See how things go.

Spain without doubt will not be free of restrictions by 11 April. Have you seen the situation there? They may change, but will not be gone.

Sorry but your flat mate's mum needs to start watching the news too!

It's very clear. The Government has done an excellent job in communicating this - but people have to take responsibility for listening!

Thank you for the nice message @ohmargo, I wish you well too.