Lockdown Roadmap
It has been a contradictory year at best for many. In some ways, the world has been at a complete standstill, and in others, it has had to go through an immense change to adapt to the situation of COVID-19. With many comparing it to the hit dystopian series Black Mirror, writer of the show Charlie Brooker acknowledges this in ‘it’s flattering on a professional level.’ Also sharing his concerns in ‘on another level, it’s completely terrifying,’ he simultaneously voices the sentiments of the rest of the world.
Not only has the virus perpetrated severe implications on physical health with total global cases amounting to 117 million, but it is also true to say that the result of the pandemic has taken a serious toll on the mental health of the public owing to lockdowns. That being said, for the UK, since vaccination has been rolling out and Boris’ roadmap out of lockdown has been announced, sentiments of optimism are slowly restoring, replacing those former feelings of claustrophobia that many will have experienced this past year.
With much hype over the government’s detailed plan, we slowly start to wave goodbye to the banana bread baking days and faulty internet connection ruining our comedic timing on online zoom quizzes. Instead, we look onto a hopeful picture of normality – let’s take a look at how to get there.
A Comprehensive Guide of What to Expect
Just two days ago, on the 8th of March, the first phase of lighter restrictions came into force. All schools and college students for the first time in months are now receiving in-person teaching, alongside the option to resume extra-curricular activities after school. Online teaching by no means was able to provide the same level of teaching as a face-to-face scenario, therefore the discourse surrounding this reflects the notion that education as the first step towards normality is imperative as it shows investment into the younger generation for the future.
Furthermore, by the 29th of March, the rule of six is expected to return. Leisure sports such as tennis and golf courses will be allowed to re-open, gently re-introducing socialization. Following this, and what perhaps marks a turning point in terms of the country’s economy will be the 17th of May. Here, the hospitality sector will be able to re-open indoors, the only remaining restrictions being clubs. Finally, on the 21st of June at the earliest, all restrictions will be stopped, and life can continue as normal.
What does this mean for the economy?
Clearly, at the hands of COVID, every country has suffered financially, and the economic ramifications are certainly not to be taken lightly. These consequences have indeed been inevitable, and predictions are optimistic with the U. K’s GDP estimated to regain its full pre-COVID amount by early 2022.
However, the economic road to recovery will undoubtedly be a difficult one to navigate. According to Reuters, U.K finance minister Rishi Sunak is facing the heaviest borrowing since World War Two, and our GDP fall is steeper than almost any other big economy. The government claims this is due to the importance that the public place on face-to-face consumerism, though this fails to address that handled appropriately, this sector should have been re-opened a long time ago.
Nonetheless, this will be an opportunity to analyze sectors which the UK heavily relies on to support its economy and decide if such proportions should accordingly be molded in the future. Furthermore, since the announcement, some UK businesses have gained a glimpse into how they may reap the benefits come the 21st of June. As per the presuppositions of my previous statement, shares in UK travel and hospitality have had a sharp surge in response to the roadmap, and will only continue to do so.
How badly the impacts of COVID-19 will affect the economy remain to be seen and setbacks should be expected, however, the definitive plan that has now been provided has encouragingly given a sense of stability in contrast to the uncertainty many have endured, thus boding well for a future restriction-free society.
To keep up with the latest commercial news, click on commercial to get your daily dose.
Donate & Support