In Ireland, we were told yesterday that the lockdown which was imposed on 30th December will continue until April or early May - with restrictions only being eased "when numbers of cases are consistently low for 4 weeks". While the prime minister would still go off for his jaunt to Washington in March if he is invited.
Every other country near us has already cancelled or otherwise sorted the major school exams. Our Minister for Education is twisting things in negotiations and not telling unions things before making announcements so has lost all trust, and we are still waiting for information on schools returning and exam years. Yesterday a teachers union pulled out of talks.
All sports have been cancelling their plans for the rest of the season in the past 3/4 days, just quietly to players rather than discussed in media - so that's now all gone even for training.
We were told last week that not only are the government introducing quarantine hotels, we should not travel in or out of the country for the entire year.
The only shops open are absolute essentials - food, repair supplies, pets supplies.
I haven't seen my parents since last July, when I saw them for a meal on Saturday and a coffee on Sunday on a weekend trip (we stay with DMIL as she has beds, DPs already had 2 other DSiblings and families staying). I saw 3 DSiblings when we all drove to meet at the mid point between imps for a walk around a lake and swop presents between us in December - we met for about 2 hours in total.
Because we were all abiding by the rules, our sociable street haven't had events all year, we had 3 Sunday evening "beer on the green" gatherings for an hour each all spread out on the green, back in early summer. But our regular dinners and bbqs in each other's houses/gardens or going to restaurants have not happened because groups weren't allowed meet.
The only people in my house since this time last year were a plumber to replace a boiler that blew, chimney sweep (necessary as the stove is in much greater use than normal) and an electrician to repair an appliance, my hairdresser twice (it's usually every 6 weeks).
I am absolutely exhausted because I am working from home, as is DH, and both of us have had huge increases in pressure and no outlet of other people. I was moved role 3 times last year - just as we locked down, temporary role to do emergency legislation in May, and to do another emergency legislation role but permanent move - so I've had to learn 3 different sets of files, legislation, teams, etc int he year and not had anyone to just pop my head into to ask any questions about.
Our pubs have been closed since before 17th March and not reopened once in our area. We were allowed to travel within the country for about 7 weeks over summer (and I was still doing emergency legislation for half that so couldn't get a break), and for 10 days over Christmas - but that was so late after reopening hospitality that numbers were already booming again so hence I met my siblings in a forest for a short time only.
We haven't even been able to get out into the countryside for a proper hike other than over Christmas and that was just so busy. My Cubs haven't been for a hike all year, let alone any of their overnight trips (normally 2 hostel trips and a 2 night camp in tents) - and we've already rebooked the rebooking of the spring hostel trip to 2022. We only met 9 times as a whole group last year - we start our year with new Cubs in Jan, midterm in Feb, lockdown from March, so after the initial 7 sessions we had 1 in July and 1 in December. Otherwise we met on zoom or in sessions of only 2 Patrols at a time. The Leaders are all exhausted trying to keep it going, and had been hopeful of resumption at least in 2 Patrols outdoors mode by late Feb/early March - but now that looks more like May.
Shops are now running out of lots of things or changing brands as Brexit means shortages or many companies no longer supplying. And with a dd who has ASD (Aspergers syndrome) and ADHD, that is causing significant problems for us. Shopping for food is so stressful as I need to bring. Her to make choices, but so many people don't give space. And I have no break from her intensity as while she's distracted with school online - I am working online. And when she's off, I am still working or trying to keep the house from falling down around me. Or failing to watch tv as that interferes with Xbox. And it's too cold to do more than a short walk, ans we're not allowed to go further than 5km anyway. So I can't even go get a coffee and escape.
Meanwhile Australia and NZ are mostly living normal lives.