Difference between Lockdown and Curfew

The covid-19 pandemic in 2020 had a great impact and changed how the world works. Everything came to a sudden halt, and the cases kept rising. Since the virus was contagious, it was really important to prevent the spread of the virus through various preventative measures. While masks and sanitisers helped curb the spread of the virus, the virus was still spreading too quickly, and serious measures needed to be taken. That’s when the governments throughout the world implemented lockdowns and curfews throughout the nations. Let us learn more about their work.

The covid-19 pandemic

The covid-19 pandemic is popularly called the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, also known as the SARS CoV 2. The first patient of the coronavirus was found in the Wuhan area of China in the year 2019. However, it didn’t stay limited to China and spread quickly throughout the world.

The World Health Organization declared a Public Health emergency of international concern on 30th January 2020.

The spread of corona and the need for lockdowns

Corona slowly became so widespread that it became one of the deadliest viruses in history. The most common symptoms of coronavirus are fever, fatigue, cough, and itching at the back of the throat. Small droplets and airborne particles which contain the virus get spread when a contaminated person sneezes or breathes out into the air.

It could be tested through a rapid diagnostic test for which a sample is collected through a person’s nose, and the antigen test includes a collection of samples from the back of a person’s throat. 

While the sanitisers and masks helped prevent the spread of corona, it was still not getting curbed. More and more people were getting infected every day, and some even died. The rate of transmission was too dangerous.

Drastic measures needed to be taken to overcome this situation. As there were no vaccines or cures available to treat Corona, prevention was the only option available.

This created the need for lockdowns and curfews. Let us understand what exactly a lockdown is and how it works.

Lockdown

A lockdown restricts people or a community from staying where they’re currently at to protect them from threats that could affect them if they interact freely. Someone in a position of power or authority usually involves this protocol. During the covid pandemic, the lockdown was implemented by various nations.

There are various types of lockdowns. Let’s study them.

Types of lockdowns

Following are the various types of lockdowns that are implemented.

• Preventive lockdown

The preventive lockdown is a protective measure taken in advance when unusual

and threatening circumstances that are foreseen.

For example, if there is a virus of plague outbreak like the Coronavirus, preventive lockdowns will be implemented to ensure that the spread of the virus is limited.

India experienced a country-wide lockdown during the covid-19 outbreak.

• Emergency lockdown

An emergency lockdown is implemented when there is a threat to the lives of humans. 

Suppose there is a shooter loose in a school or hospital; then, to isolate the shooter or protect the lives of people, an emergency lockdown will be implemented.

Let us take a look at what curfews are.

Curfew and difference between lockdown and curfew

The curfew is also a preventive measure ordered by the government to not be on roads or public places for a certain specified time. The public authorities need to issue such curfews. There are many types of curfews used in various fields. Let’s take a look at them.

Curfews are implemented in a hostel where the accommodators must return to the hostel premises before a specific time. 

For example, universities have hostels that could have curfews where students need to return to the hostel before 9 pm.

In aeronautics, there is night flying restrictions so that the residents of that area are not disturbed by the aircraft noises. During the covid pandemic, restaurants and entertainment areas had a night curfew where they had to close before 10 pm or face the authorities.

The difference between lockdown and curfew is that in a day, the lockdown is applicable for the whole day, while curfew is for several hours in a day.

Conclusion

Recently, we have experienced the covid-19 pandemic and the consequences that came with it, like the lockdown. The log down is a preventive measure in which activity in a specific area is halted, and people are required to stay in their position. There are two types of lockdowns: preventive and emergency lockdown. A curfew is a time limit within which the roads or public places are not accessible for a certain period. Essential service is allowed to stay open during the lockdown, while they’re not allowed to stay open during a curfew. The best example of a lockdown is a lockdown implemented during covid situations.