The entire world is currently in lockdown, with everyone practising self-isolation or quarantine. Streets are empty and the whole country is closed, and the question on everyone’s lips is – how much longer we will have to be in this situation. According to a report written by Scott Gottlieb, Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration and The American Enterprise Institute, lockdown may be lifted after completing a few phases. The very first phase is the one we are currently in. It involves social distancing and closure of schools and public gathering places in an attempt to slow the spread of the infection.

The second step can be fully successful when we will have the capacity to test, identify and isolate those who are infected with COVID-19 and those who have come in contact with them. This step still requires social distancing to be intact. To even consider lifting the restrictions there has to be a decrease in the cases nationwide. This has to be studied for a while to make sure it is consistent and it has to be compared with the neighbouring nations to make sure everyone is seeing similar trends. The drop in cases has to be consistent, ideally starting with a low number. The third phase will see the restrictions being lifted, and this can happen when there is an effective therapy or vaccine or it is evident that immunity has been widespread.

Other factors include availability of continuous testing throughout the nation, proper protective gear for health care workers, and proper non-medical masks for the general people. An additional benefit could be achieved through the establishment of serological tests or other rapid tests, which could provide quick results and therefore increase the success of the identification and isolation steps. When lifting restrictions, it is important to be able to track and deal with any side effects, which could possibly be an increase in cases after lifting the restrictions. That is why the nation has to be equipped to deal with that before it happens through testing and protective gear. This may result in the crisis happening again; therefore, the nation needs to be prepared.

In summary, without being sure that the health care workers are able to tackle another outbreak, it would not be wise to lift restrictions. Therefore, only when the government is sure these conditions are met, they will even consider returning to normalcy. If the health advisors believe we have met the requirements, they will recommend lifting of the restrictions. Their goal is simple, to protect the citizens; at the moment the best thing we can do is to help them and help ourselves is to listen to them. Stay home and stay safe.

The writer is an Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of Microbiology, Stamford University Bangladesh