Difference Between Lockdown and Curfew

The main difference between lockdown and curfew is that lockdown is an emergency protocol that prevents people from leaving a certain area, whereas curfew is an order forcing people to stay indoors during specific hours.

Most countries around the world are currently using lockdowns and curfews to control the spread of coronavirus 2019 and save citizens’ lives. Although these disrupt the normal daily lives of people, lockdowns and curfews are two of the most effective methods of limiting the spread of the virus.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Lockdown 
     – Definition, Characteristics, Process
2. What is Curfew
     – Definition, Characteristics, Process
3. What is the Difference Between Lockdown and Curfew
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Coronavirus, Curfew, Lockdown

What is Lockdown?

Lockdown is an emergency protocol that prevents people from leaving a certain area. Lockdowns are usually initiated by people in the position of power and authority. They help to protect people inside a facility or a certain area. This is one of the most common forms of quarantine methods during a pandemic. Most countries around the world are now using this emergency protocol to limit the spread of coronavirus and protect their citizens. China, France, Italy and Spain are some countries that have implemented lockdowns.

The nature of a lockdown actually depends on the emergency or crisis that caused the lockdown. In a full lockdown, people in a given area must stay where they are and must not enter or exit the specified area. However, lockdowns usually allow essential supplies like pharmacies and grocery shops to serve people. For example, in a lockdown of a city, people within that city may move around the city to buy essential supplies like food and medicine. However, they cannot go outside that city, and outsiders cannot also enter that city.

What is Curfew

A curfew is an order or regulation requiring people to stay indoors during specific hours. This type of order is usually issued by public authorities or the state. During a curfew, people have to to return home and stay at home, until the authorities announce the end of the curfew. Violating the curfew will result in a fine or arrest. If the curfew extends for several days, the authorities may lift the curfew for a few hours so that people can go out to buy essential supplies like food and medicine.

What basically happens in a curfew is that an individual’s right to be out in public at specific times is restricted. But authorities impose curfews for the safety of citizens and to regulate society. They usually impose curfews during war or periods of political conflict; for example, during the 2010 Chile earthquake, the 2011 Egyptian revolution, and the 2005 civil unrest in France. Some countries like India and Sri Lanka are currently using curfews as a measure to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Similarities Between Lockdown and Curfew

• Authorities use lockdowns and curfews are emergency protocols during emergency situations like natural disasters, riots, or spread of contagious diseases.
• Both allow essential services like medical services, transport of food and medicine, and armed forces to serve people.

Difference Between Lockdown and Curfew

Definition

Lockdown is an emergency protocol that prevents people from leaving a certain area whereas curfew is an order forcing people to stay indoors during specific hours.

Time Period

Lockdowns may last for days while curfews are usually for several hours.

Moving with an Area

In a lockdown, people are usually allowed to move within that area. For example, if a city is locked down, people within that city can move around the city to buy essential supplies like food and medicine. However, they cannot go outside that city, and outsiders cannot also enter that city. In contrast, in a curfew, people are not allowed to leave their residencies if they do not have special permission.

Conclusion

Most countries around the world are currently using lockdowns and curfews to control the spread of coronavirus 2019 and save citizens’ lives. The main difference between lockdown and curfew is that lockdown is an emergency protocol that prevents people from leaving a certain area whereas curfew is an order forcing people to stay indoors during specific hours.

Reference:

1“Curfew.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Mar. 2020, Available here.
2. “Here Is What Lockdown Means and What to Expect from It.” Business Insider, 23 Mar. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Empty Roads (Unsplash)” By Julien R djulien -(CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “4952681” (CC0) via Pixabay