As the Government is starting to slowly ease Coronavirus restrictions, many of you will probably be planning to start venturing outside more frequently. This can be for shopping, meetings with friends, visiting the salon, or to some café or restaurant as more and more venues begin to open. I know a lot of people, including myself, were waiting for the lockdown to end so that we can get back to living a normal life once again.

For some, the lifting of lockdown may also trigger your feelings of anxiety as well. You might be fearful or worried about what could happen when the rules are lifted once again.

We all know that the pandemic is still out there. In fact, now is the time we need to be extra careful and follow every precautionary measure strictly to further slow the spread of the virus as we look to stay healthy, both physically and mentally.

Life after lockdown will not be as it used to be. Therefore, we have listed below some important things that should be completely avoided in order to protect yourself, those around you, and ensure the safety of those at your home.

We will also be mentioning a few things that you must not do immediately after lockdown ends.

Don’t Step Out Unnecessarily

Some things are unavoidable, like buying groceries or medicine. Besides that, it’s still advisable to stay home and remain protected instead of venturing outside, risking your health as well as that of others. Remember, life is precious. When everything is back to normal, we will have plenty of time to go out and have fun. For now, it’s important to stay in as much as possible, be considerate to others who are trying to stay safe and healthy, only making trips outside when they are absolutely necessary.

Maintain Hand Hygiene

Don’t stop paying attention to personal hygiene, whether you step outside or not. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it’s of the utmost importance to continue practicing good hand hygiene parameters in order to prevent yourselves from getting sick. Keep sanitizer handy, wash your hands frequently – especially when returning from outdoors – and do this thoroughly with the use of soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to help prevent the spread of germs. Try to use your elbows and knuckles to avoid touching surfaces wherever possible, refrain from shaking hands with people and follow social distancing protocols.

Keep Disinfecting Yours Purchases

We all know that COVID-19 can survive on various surfaces. This makes it essential to follow certain measures to keep them germ-free. Use disinfectant wipes to clean all your essentials on a regular basis. If you are opting for home delivery, make sure you maintain adequate distance with the delivery person, sanitize food parcels first, and then transfer it into a clean plate. Also, don’t forget to wash or sanitize your hands before eating.

Don’t Host Meet-Ups

So many among us are dying to meet our friends and family members, but even with the lockdown rules gradually easing, the virus has not gone away. You may never know who is contaminated and who is not as people can be asymptomatic when you meet them. It can also risk the lives of others as well. In these instances, choose a virtual means to connect with your friends and family. Have virtual dinners and parties together rather than assembling together at a single place which, while you might be missing, only increases the chance of spreading the virus further.

Don’t Throw Away Masks

Whenever you step out of the house, it’s mandatory to put a face mask on. In public, wearing a mask is the best option to stay safe from infection and prevent virus transmission. If you are sick, coughing or sneezing, it’s better to wear a mask at home too or simply cover your mouth with disposable tissue or elbow to maintain respiratory hygiene. Masks are a crucial aspect towards preventing the spread of Coronavirus so wear them when outside.

Keep Consuming Immunity Boosters

As the old saying goes ”Health is Wealth” and having a nutrient-rich diet is one of the best ways to stay fit and protected during these times. We all know how critical our immune system is right now and keeping it all in good order can help us stave off infections. Consider incorporating immunity boosting foods into your diet such as spinach, broccoli, ginger, garlic, sweet potato, turmeric, watermelon, amla, pomegranate, vitamin C rich fruits and fresh juices of mandarin, kiwi, lemon etc.

Continue Your Workout Regime

During the lockdown, many of you might have started home-workouts or other mindful activities like practicing yoga and meditation to keep your mind clear and positive. As the lockdown ends and we begin the phase of reopening, don’t suddenly stop exercising and throw away all the progress you’ve made. Fitness is for your lifetime. It will not only keep you healthy physically but also boost your mental health, help your immune system and support your mental health. Moreover, it will make you strong enough to cope with any mental issue easily and effectively.

Avoid Crowded Places

Many of you must be feeling excited for the chance to do all the things you’ve been waiting months for. But if you are wise enough, then you must know many cases of asymptomatic Coronavirus patients also have the tendency to spread the virus. Though cafes or restaurants are taking every safety measure possible but it’s better to stay on the safer side. It’s better to wait for some more time. We’ve already been waiting for months at this point, a few more weeks shouldn’t be too hard.

Final Thoughts

Lastly, stay positive, kind and supportive to everyone. Lend your help to those in need. Not everyone is fortunate enough to get the luxuries of food and shelter especially in this unfortunate situation.

We will have enough time to celebrate and meet people when this pandemic finally comes to an end. Until then, follow every safety guidelines by WHO and our Government and stay safe.