Taking into account how YOU see the situation, when do YOU personally believe we will start returning to normal?

[Whitefeather01]

Just that really. When do YOU personally think restrictions will start to be lifted? Schools going back? Travel resumed? Etc.

When people arrive at the acceptance stage of the cycle

It's not going anywhere

I think the schools will re open in September.

I too think it's more about public acceptance.

We're just delaying the inevitable.

The cure / vaccine is probably 18 months away. Chris Whitty himself said right at the start that 12 months impossible and 18 months would be a miracle.

I think we'll do another three weeks after this period, and then shops and businesses will be allowed to open. Social distancing for the long term (until the vaccine, basically).

But those thinking the government will continue propping up the economy into the Autumn are living with their head in the sand (IMO).

More people will begin to see that it's not going anywhere - so why are we bothering, basically.

I reckon we will have flexing of the lockdown over summer, with schools starting to go back in September, but phased, so those who need to be there for GCSEs and A Levels go back first.

Shops and businesses will be online / working from home for at least six months, and we'll see many more shops, businesses and whole industries go under. Many of the social media influencers will probably disappear.

The economy is fucked.

Holidays, both UK and abroad - I don't think anyone is going anywhere for a year. It's too early to relax restrictions by summer. By winter, we'll have a massive seasonal strain on NHS resources, so freedom to travel would be ill-advised at that time.

Realistically, 18 months until we get back a semblance of normality, but that will be a new normal, dependent on having a vaccine and the promised antibody testing.
Some things will never be the same. And we will have to adjust.

I can’t imagine the lockdown period will extend beyond May. It relies on public compliance, and people are already getting fed up with it.

Added to the jobs that will be lost, the businesses that’ll close and the inevitable recession because of life coming to a standstill- it’s not viable for this to go on for months and months.

My personal thoughts are end of April /Beginning of May for Lockdown to be relaxed (maybe happen again on an ad hoc basis depending on outcomes)Schools, September time .I would wager by Christmas if not earlier ,back to normal with people buying lots of food and drink /presents and having a "Really Good Christmas ".Again I may be wrong but I also think next year will be a bumper time for holidays abroad as well!

I’m also of the opinion that the restrictions will end sooner rather than later. The economy can’t take much more and, rightly or wrongly, money will trump saving lives. It’s inevitable that the virus will continue to spread, but I disagree with the idea that lockdown will be tightened and then relaxed on repeat. Compliance will reduce over time, and each time we came out of lockdown there would be a huge spike in infections as everyone rushes to do everything all at once. I predict a slow lifting of restrictions in May, so after six weeks of lockdown, with it taking perhaps another six weeks for all restrictions to be lifted. I expect restrictions on mass gatherings to be lifted temporarily over the autumn but perhaps be introduced over flu season.

The economy can’t take much more and, rightly or wrongly, money will trump saving lives

I think this is it really.

Between the US and UK I’m sure there’s parts of government just waiting for some other country or region to pull the trigger and announce that restrictions are being loosened to allow for the economy to get some stimulus so they can do the same.

My hope is that the schools reopen to some degree before the end of the summer term and that the restrictive lockdown is lifted around then. I suspect large gatherings will be banned for longer though. I think a lot will depend on the availability of the antibody test.

I don't think there's any way that we can have lockdowns until there's a vaccine available. The economic impact will be too devastating. I don't see this in a money over lives way, I just think that ultimately more lives will be lost from the economic impact. Here in the UK we are struggling as it is, can you imagine what it's like for people in poorer countries making a small daily pittance in the informal sector, and now enable to earn even that?

School - September.
People gradually returning to work - July/August
Supermarkets and shopping returning to normal - July/August

I think it won't be the last time we have to lockdown though. I think this could become a something that happens perhaps each year until a vaccine is discovered.

I think we will be socially distancing for up to a year, maybe longer. Personally I will probably always do it with strangers where possible. I have always avoided crowds and crowded places anyway.

I just hope it isn't done too early. The death rate is doubling every 3/4 days already. We could see 3000dead this time next week.

If the people get bore of lockdown and refuse to comply, that will grow even faster.

I think we’ll be in lockdown until June After that vulnerable people will be told to keep shielding and the rest of us will be allowed to get on with things, with perhaps additional lockdowns throughout the year if required.

I think a short period of return to schools in sept and some things being more normal, but then the winter flu season may cause issues so I expect to see a similar lockdown thing happening at points in the future over the next 18 months.

Sept 2021 normality fully resumes.

I think schools will go back after May halfterm and people will go back to social distancing but not lockdown in 4 weeks. After the schools open I think they will take a view and then slowly start reopening things like pubs and cinemas. I imagine by September things will be fairly open.

I think there will be a second peak unless we do a massive amount more testing and exceptional contact tracing and quarantine.

I think back to normal in May, I really can't see this going on much longer.

But I am very confused about those who were strongly advised to socially distance due to pregnancy and asthma for example.

I can't help thinking I may be forced to take a sabbatical from my job (teacher.)

Unless I catch it in the summer, from a short period of them allowing everyone to catch it again because asthma is generally better then for example.

The antibody test will be a game changer as well - once those who’ve already had the virus can be identified, certificated and presumed safe to get back out into the world then things will be able to slowly start moving again. Hopefully that isn’t too far away and the medical opinion that millions of us have already had the virus but been largely asymptotic is correct.

The problem with May is that in our area, which has lagged behind other areas from the start, is expecting the peak to
be mid May for our hospitals. And from stats on notice two areas come under that prediction. So no, May isn't going to be feasible.

I think that if we are seeing a reduction in numbers by the end of the initial 3-week lockdown, there will be a bit of 'aren't we all doing well, let's keep it going' and there will be another 3 weeks, taking us to the end of April/early May. If numbers are looking steadier then, I think there may be some relaxation of restrictions, but I don't think pubs or restaurants will be allowed to re-open until June at the earliest. It really depends on how sensible people are when they are eventually allowed a bit more freedom - if they are stupid and go back to how they were before, it won't work and there will be further lockdown. I do think kids will go back to school in September, but I foresee a very diluted Christmas with gatherings frowned on.

Perhaps the virus is going to come against something new. The UK weather one minute ruddy freezing and forecasts of 19° by the weekend

I think we will see moves towards normality with antibody testing but I think it will be some months for that to be possible en masses.

I think schools will go back in September. I think shops will reopen with social distancing measures in July. I think travel might be longer than all that incase we accelerate a second peak. I think we'll all be scrubbing up like surgeons forever.

I think schools might go back September/October time. Total normality? Maybe 2 years.

I think the schools will go back in September maybe with some restrictions but they will go back. It will be about levels of economic disruption against risk.

I came on to say the economy is fucked.

Business is falling off a cliff.