Lots of countries have called for a quarantine, we’re at war
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In an address to the nation last night (23 March 2020), Boris Johnson advised the British public that a mandatory quarantine is being put into place in order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
In countries such as France and Spain, who have been under quarantine for about a week now, exercising has been made very difficult. Much like the new rules in Britain, locals are only allowed to leave the house for essentials including buying food and visiting pharmacies, and exercise has been restricted to once a day.
The WHO has recently stated that people who are confined to their homes should try and maintain their daily routines as much as possible so as their mental health doesn’t suffer.
‘During times of stress, pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly, keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy food. Keep things in perspective.’
Since people living in these quarantined areas are only allowed to leave the house for the bare essentials, getting at least a little exercise is not completely impossible. Christophe Castaner, the Minister of the Interior in France, was more explicit on the subject.
‘You can get some fresh air, but you certainly can’t go have a game of football.’
Sport and quarantine
During this quarantine period, here’s what you need to know about getting exercise without breaking the rules and unnecessarily putting yourself at risk. First of all, no matter what exercise you do, you mustn’t do it in a group. It’s essential to exercise on your own or with members of your household and keep a safe distance from other people that you may come across.
The sports activity that most people associate with ‘getting some fresh air’ is, of course, running. In the UK, you still have the right to leave the house to go for a run, but it’s advised that you do so alone and don’t get too close to other runners. During your runs, don’t stray too far from home and don’t stay out too long.
As for weight training, which doesn’t necessarily require you to leave the house, authorities advise doing this in the house to avoid unnecessary risks.
