Difference between US and India lockdown

With the COVID-19 pandemic exploding at an alarming phase spanning over new geographies, several thousands are infected on each day with hundreds dying on a daily basis. What started in China towards the end of December 2019 has now spread to most parts of the globe creating terror and necessitating a health emergency situation. Countries are giving their best to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus through several quarantine measures.

Official lockdowns in countries, provinces and districts have become the most common occurrences. While lockdowns and curfews can cause a lot of inconveniences to people and might affect the regular routines of their lives, they have become an impending necessity to control the pandemic. The rules governing lockdowns differ between countries as per the local laws. The type of restrictions put in place during lockdown in the US is not the same as we find in India. Here is how a lockdown in both these countries differ from each other.

Lockdown in US – how it impacts the lives of people

The lockdowns in the US are severe due to the severe fears associated with the deepening of the virus crisis. Some provinces have taken a mild approach while some states have shown a severe measure. Some of the top measures declared as part of the lockdown in the US include the following.

• Non-essential travels between the US and Mexico stand restricted.
• Schools will remain closed while childcare centers will continue to work.
• Boarding schools have been instructed to send their children home and state-run libraries and museums will remain closed.
• Most businesses where people gather will be closed down completely.
• Restaurants will continue to operate if they choose to operate and as per the demand in the locality.
• Federal student loans borrowers can pause their payments for two months without any accrued interest.
• Critical medical supplies will get defense protection.
• The deadline for the Americans to file their taxes will be moved from April 15 to July 15.
• All non-essential travels and gatherings are completely barred.
• Pharmacies, clinics and grocery stores will continue to serve the masses. Airports will continue to operate and garbage will be collected.
• Some states have issued stay-at-home orders. The residents can go to grocery stores, walk their dogs and engage in all the essential tasks. All non-essential businesses and services must close.
• Those people who can work from home must do so.
• The government has taken strict measures to protect the food banks and continue their services.
• In some provinces, the government has allowed bars, restaurants and businesses to operate.

Lockdown in India – how it impacts the lives of people

India observed a nationwide lockdown on Sunday, March 22, 2020 as part of preparing the public for any health emergency situation in the country. Very soon after that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the world’s largest lockdown in a measure to quarantine coronavirus. The latest lockdown will be 21 days long ending on April 14, 2020. This is considered as the strictest measure taken by any country on the globe fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic.

• In India, lockdown differs in several ways from how it is implemented in the US.
• Privately run public transportation systems will halt during the lockdown. The busses will be limited to 25% to cater to the needs of the essential services personnel.
• Businesses have been asked to let their personnel work from home wherever it is possible. Non-essential businesses have been closed.
• Essential services like milk supplies, fuels, gas, groceries, vegetables and bakeries will continue to function.
• Schools, colleges and other educational institutions will remain closed.
• Public have been prevented from gathering in numbers more than 5. In cases where movement is absolutely necessary, those moving out must abide by the guidelines on social isolation.
• People have been advised to stay at their homes and avoid travelling outside to the extent possible.
• Restaurants can provide parcel meals services and malls can operate only those segments related to vegetables, groceries and food supplies.
• The essential departments like postal services, internet, and others will continue to serve the public.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/03/20/coronavirus-updates-us-deaths-cases-stay-home-order-trump/2880695001/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/emergencies-closures-states-handling-coronavirus-200317213356419.html