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

Hi OP,

It may not be helpful to view it in terms of lockdown and not lockdown.

The chances are that restrictions will be lifted gradually so that the economic damage can be controlled where possible whilst avoiding a second wave. New cases will be monitored and restrictions will be tightened or relaxed based on how the numbers move.

A lot of media use school closing and opening dates as a benchmark but that may not be relevant to you.

We are in Austria and have been in lockdown for 2 weeks already but there is talk of certain restrictions being eased in the next 2 weeks.

However, schools are definitely closed until April 14th and some teacher friends have been told it will be until at least 4 May. It might be longer.

But some restrictions will lift before then and you should focus on that to keep yourself positive if you are finding it hard.

I would imagine that restrictions on small family gatherings would be lifted before a general reopening of schools so hopefully even of schools and public places stay shut for months you would be able to visit your parents.

Thank you @Crackerofdoom that was a very useful message.

The term 'lockdown' has never been used in Ireland and the Taoiseach (PM) has said it won't be.

It's unhelpful & conjures up the kind of thinking OP is demonstrating here.

This is about taking clear, definitive precautions that protect us all and flatten the curve.

@EarringsandLipstick

Many people are using the term "lockdown"in Ireland.

I also think "it couldn't have been clearer" is a condescending thing for you to say.

You appear to have a problem comprehending that no-one has a crystal ball - no-one knows when this will be over. It's obvious that the dates given by each country are review dates because see my first sentence.

Because you don't like reading the responses you are being rude which will achieve nothing.

I suggest you believe what you want but don't come on here shocked when the lockdown is reviewed on that date and it remains in place.

@rishisunakfanclub

If some one came to me with a question, and I said to them "It couldn't have been clearer"

that is rude.

If people are rude, I call them out on it. Why are you involving yourself? Your opinion wasn't wanted, believe me. On you go.

OP. Lockdown is not really being used - definitely not by the Government, as I said, and not by media. Maybe some ill-advised people are using it but that's again their own lack of information as it's definitely not lockdown, we are not restricted eg leaving our homes beyond the social distancing guidelines, shop closure etc.

Sorry if you think it's condescending. I think it's irresponsible that you couldn't easily thorough numerable reliable sources got the correct information.

We're all dealing with it 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh please leave out the bickering and put downs Rishi above.

It's tough for everyone now, some can cope very well, others are finding if very difficult, some fall in between.

A little give and take will go a long way.

@EarringsandLipstick and your second post was just as condescending as your last. Try to work on that! It is not a nice personality trait

Er, Amy ... public forum on the Internet. People can all give their opinions, not up to you to say 'on you go'

SixOne news is on right now! Why don't you go watch maybe?

I hope that everyone is doing okay during this period. These are tough times. I send everyone support

I agree that it couldnt have been clearer, I'm in Ireland and don't know a single person who thinks this will all be done and dusted by mid April.
I get that you are probably embarrassed that you have taken it all up wrong but it's no reason to start accusing people of rude etc. Just pay better attention to the news and I'm sure you will manage to keep up to date.

Haha, thanks Amy I'm ok to be honest. I'm not being condescending, I'm answering your questions.
I'm also suggesting you inform yourself but sure, up to you if you don't want to!

If some one came to me with a question, and I said to them "It couldn't have been clearer"

You didn't bring a question. Well you did, but you posted, as fact, information that was not true first then based your question on that.

It is perfectly ok for people to point out that it is incorrect.

Nobody has been aggressive, rude or insulted you. You have done all of these things and accused myself and others of doing them to you.

I think the fact that you cannot understand the information in the media or what people are saying here is causing you to lash out defensively.

Don't take it to heart, it's a simple misunderstanding.

I also don't know any people who think this is going to be over by April. This is a huge thing which is going to run for a while. There are many signs in the news and the things the gov are saying which point to that.

I would advise all of your friends and relatives who think this will be over in a few weeks to actually pay attention to the news - listed to what is being said, but also watch out for what is NOT being said.

No-one has said "restrictions will be lifted on xxxxx".

Peak numbers more likely in April.
Then you have to wait until they go down to much smaller numbers. It will take longer than the growth phase, which has been going up exponentially in pretty much all of Europe so far.
Then you have to maintain numbers down.

I'm going along with lockdown as shorthand for the current measures. They're likely to be increased in some countries, not alleviated any time soon.

It may seem obvious to many of us, but I've noticed that many friends and people on my local social media haven't realised how long this might go for and the consequences in terms of social events.
I've been breaking the news as much and as gently as possible for them.

OP did you think everything would go back to normal on that date? Schools open, pubs open, shops open cinemas open etc? Common sense tells us that that would just lead to another massive peak in infections.

I’ve just read an article in a Spanish newspaper suggesting that schools won’t be open until September.

I'm in Ireland too. Schools and distancing were first brought in until 26th March. This was extended with the stricter measures till 19th April.

They will monitor as it goes on and we will keep hoping!
Really liked that when these measures started each person with the virus would have been affecting 20 further people and now it's down to 5!
If we can just try keep this up. I know it's hard but we have to try get through it

I'd say prepare for the worst, hope for the best. My own opinion is lockdown for 6 weeks with and extended period of restrictions until July. They'll start lifting and monitoring case levels. What happens in Italy and Spain will inform those decisions so watch them closely. As we hit September, more restrictions as we enter flu season, and possibly further lockdown. If you read the imperial study, you will understand.

Everyone is reacting to this differently and denial will protect you mentally for a while but you will get used to the idea and then you can make the adjustments required to enable you to cope.

Be kind to yourself, it's ok to be a bit snappy, it's because you are coming to terms with the fact that this is a long term thing. Take care x

I think a combination of one day at a time and looking at it in the long run can work well.

If you are struggling mentally, it may help if you deal with being at home one day at a time, rather than thinking that you'll be in for a week.
But you will need to adjust your plans and expectations in the long run. Don't expect holidays abroad or even away from home. Don't expect big concerts or crowded games for the next year at least or until most have been vaccinated or developed antibodies naturally.

OP whether it is the stress of the situation, or the shock of realisation dawning on you, you are coming across as pretty arsy to people who are genuinely trying to respond on a public forum. Anyone who wants can respond, that's the point, so we get a broad range of opinions.
Sometimes people post opinions as fact and it's right that others ask for a source. It's good to question what you read, and to be as sure as you can be of any assertions you make.
I have family in Ireland and Spain and have lived in both places, I have been following the news in both countries with interest and don't think either will be out of lockdown any time soon.
It's true that the Spanish schools don't expect to start back before September, but they break up for the summer holidays in mid-June anyway so even if restrictions were lifted in July (for example) the schools still wouldn't go back until September so that in itself doesn't tell us much.

Maybe it's a good thing none of us know the final dates for restrictions to be lifted as it could be overwhelming. Take it one day at a time, have some kind of routine to your day, do some meditation, plan some calls with people, read a book, read the news but not all day long as it can be depressing. There are volunteers helping out even from their own homes, making calls to help prevent isolation, you could even sign up to call others if you feel up to it.
Whenever the end is, with each day that passes we are a day closer.

I'm in Ireland and no one I know is using the term lock down or expecting an end date of the 20th of April.
This is out of everyone's control, there are no answers right now and we have to accept it's out of all our hands and we just have to wait and see how things pan out.
I find it's easier not to think past each day and just focus on getting through focusing on that.

How do you propose to move near home right now, that sounds very complicated?

They are just countries initial guesses. They could extend over and over again.