People all over the world are ready to adopt the ‘new normal’ that is taking over slowly and steadily. Amidst this shift, two countries UK and Singapore have decided to take diverse paths in retaliation to COVID-19

The countries all over the world have agreed that corona virus is here to stay, and our lives are going to revolve around it. Dealing with the situation is over, now we have to learn to live with the virus and adapt healthier lifestyle. Apart from the vaccination drives in various countries, the risk of COVID has yet not reduced. Two such countries are the UK and Singapore

They both have been fighting with coronavirus like other countries but now have smeared different approaches to combat the situation. Singapore is an island country with a population of over 5.69 million whereas UK estimated to have a population of 66 million.

• United Kingdom: it has recorded the highest number of deaths since COVID has struck. It was also criticized not to implement preventive measures rapidly. Now, a year later since COVID has hit the country, the Prime Minister is about to lift all the restrictions- including the social distancing and masks compulsion in public places. They believe that vaccination of nearly 66% of population has broken the link between illness and infections, thereby making their country free to open up again. They have asked the public to take their own responsibility and practice prevention. UK has received much criticism based on this bold move, many people have said that “gambling at such a risky situation is very unhealthy”.

Points to be kept in mind:

If the country is planning to open up their country to achieve economic growth then it is okay for now. But if it results in another wave of infection to such a vast population then it would damage the economy in the long-run.

There are still many people in UK unvaccinated. The lifting up of the country can cause widespread deaths and infections to the unprotected population. Other than this, if the situation gets out of hand in the long-run, then the public could not be blamed entirely as it is not wise to rely on public and lift all restrictions as govt. completely.

The move is already being described as premature by many doctors. This is because the people who have been infected with COVID earlier could be prone to transmission of new strains again. (Like Delta variant)

• Singapore: the island-nation is keen on to returning to normal life but they have chosen a more middle ground rather than being too overt. Despite only a very few deaths and lower no. of cases, it has limited its social mixing rules to 5 people at a time. The current vaccinated population at Singapore is 40%. Some travel rules would be loosened but only domestically. Foreign entry is still tight in the country. People would be asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days. The 'higher-risk' areas -- gyms, restaurants and beauty salons -- will be required to take COVID tests every fortnight. They have adopted middle path to both achieve the vaccination rates higher and follow containment and mitigation measures. They are moving piece by piece. Singapore has been able to achieve “no-corona” zones due to its stringent, extensive aggressive measures like; contact tracing system, Bluetooth system to separate the infected people from other populations separately. Singapore has experienced SARS-COVID earlier also in 2003, therefore, it has adapted its healthcare system to be ready and immune to any further waves in future.

Points to be kept in mind:

The coronavirus has taught us various lessons but only one message- “nothing is predictable”. If the developed countries want to achieve more corona-free population, they will have to keep some restrictions. If they don’t do so, it would be highly risky and “gambling” of the severity of pandemic.