Tag: COVID-19

Life After Curfew

What will happen after the curfew is eased?

The government has eased the curfew and hopefully, it will be completely over soon. But unfortunately, ease in timings doesn’t mean that the threat of COVID-19 has passed too. 

Coronavirus is still here to haunt us and we need to stay cautious. 

Post-lockdown life will not be as we used to live it. To protect ourselves and our families we need to know how life will be changed when the lockdown is lifted.

Spread positivity, not virus
Spread positivity, not the virus

As of now, we don’t know what life after Corona will be, but we can foresee what life after curfew will be. Let’s look at different aspects of life that will evolve into a new normal.

  • Social Life

Our social life will bear the most Corona impact.

Gatherings and parties will continue to be held, but it’ll be in a simple manner with only the maximum number of people allowed by the government, in attendance.

To keep ourselves safe, we should ideally limit hosting and inviting people to parties, social functions, group meetings, large-scale conferences, and other celebrations.  

social distancing signs
Keep a safe distance

  • Tourism 

Tourism took a massive hit during this pandemic, and for the right reasons. Foreign tourists have the biggest share in uplifting the tourism industry of any country. Globetrotters became homebound and the industry came to a standstill.

Even though flights will be resumed soon, it seems that vacation plans will have to be at hold until the things return to normal and we’re at the least risk of getting infected.

Travel

  • Entertainment

Staying at home, people have made use of time to binge-watch all the seasons & movies they ever wanted to see. Netflix and Amazon Prime became the ultimate entertainment channels.

Theaters and cinema halls are still under government ban, so the couch is your best friend for much longer now. Hit us up for shows recommendations!

Netflix and chill!
Netflix and chill!

  • Education

Lockdown has pushed us to digitize our education system. Virtual classrooms and e-learning are here to stay. 

After the lockdown is lifted, schools and colleges will allow a limited number of students and social distance between each student. It appears that timings will be reduced and school functions will be prohibited for a while.

Every student will be instructed to wear masks and carry sanitizer in their bags.

6.learning at home
Virtual classes at home

  • Economy

A country’s economy depends on it’s GDP, no doubt about that.

GDP will increase if sales and services increase. But lockdown has brought all the finances in a difficult situation. 

The economy has faced a huge blow, and it will take years to restore the global economy back to normal. But we’ll get there, one step at a time.

Crisis

Human beings are adaptable and flexible. You’ve managed to stay under curfew for more than 11 weeks, now it’s your responsibility to make sure all safety precautions are duly met when and if you do plan to go out.

The safest way to protect ourselves from COVID-19 is to stay home even when the lockdown is over and learn to coexist with Corona.

Don’t know what to do post lockdown? Hop on to Hala Yalla and discover experiences in sports, entertainment, art, and much more!

Download the app today on Android or iOS

Fun Things to Do while Social Distancing

Events are canceled. Riyadh boulevard is closed. Malls and restaurants are being shut down. And no one’s booking those balcony seats in the cinemas anymore.

The coronavirus – and the social distancing it’s warranting – has the world worried, and for all the right reasons. To keep yourself entertained and active, Netflix & chill is not the only option at your disposal.

While you’re in quarantine or working from home, we’ve compiled a list of fun things to do while you maintain that social distance for COVID-19. Read on! 

 

  • Virtual Tours of Museums and Art Galleries

Did you know you can now take an inside tour of each gallery and ancient relic within a museum, all from your living room? I sure didn’t. 

Museums and art galleries around the world are closed due to safety reasons. But if you’ve ever wanted a virtual tour of these places, now’s the time!

From the State Hermitage Museum in Russia to the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands, Google Arts & Culture has collaborated with 500 such establishments for visitors to gain a virtual peek inside their doors. There are opportunities to browse exhibits with a 360 view within halls, along with pictures and detailed history behind each of them.

 

  • Free Online Classes from Ivy League Institutions

The world is truly your oyster when it comes to learning new things. Be it language, skill, or just something to give you that edge over others. 

While maintaining healthy social distancing, there are endless online courses and classes available on websites like Class Central. From business to humanities to personal development, choose your pick. Search “Harvard” alone for classes on law, psychology, literature, neurosciences, and beyond.

 

  • Esports Tournaments

This is for all the kickass gamers out there. To be honest, you don’t really need a situation like quarantine to play Esports, but this might be the best time to participate in our epic tournaments at Kafu Games!

If you’re staying at home, start playing at home. 

You can also organize a FIFA 20 tournament just for your employees and qualify for Saudi’s 1st National Corporate Esports Championship! Head over to Kafu Games for more information.

  • Reading, Watching – all out Binging!

Alright! Let’s finally address the elephant in the room – BINGING!

If your reading list is overflowing with new and old books, if your watch list sits staring at you every time you open Netflix, chances are you’re gonna have an entertained social distancing. 

This is, of course, the perfect time to catch up on all the new shows, movies, documentaries, books, albums and so much more! Truth be told, some of us are quite delighted to the idea of binging on food and shows right now (I’ve already got hold of 7 new books and 4 shows). 

So grab that blanket, roll up your socks, and get the party going!

 

  • Podcasts

Binging Netflix is obviously self-quarantine activity, but don’t forget about the endless podcasts that you can listen to while cooking, cleaning, meditating, or working out.

Podcasts are an excellent way to make use of time and multitasking your way through tight schedules. They also allow you to be up to date and informed about recent developments in technology, world news, and even COVID-19 for example.

Although if you feel like truly distracting yourself, there are some good sports, crime, and humorous podcasts out there. Hit us up if you’d like some recommendations!

 

  • Crafts & Board Games

It might look strange to club these two activities, but when was the last time you actually spent time doing them?

When did you start (or finish even) that DIY project you’ve been planning for days? Remember the last time you played Monopoly with the fam? The time is now!

Bring out the cards and lay down the board, keep the gadgets aside and roll that dice. 

For DIY, Pinterest and YouTube are your friends for crafty inspirations. From bath bombs to graffiti house walls to even making your own hand sanitizer – if you’ve got the idea, there’s probably a video out there willing to help!

 

  • Cooking

Now is the perfect time to try out those recipes you haven’t had time to get to, and it is a good way to bring the family together or have a little distraction. Keep in mind to stock plenty of food in your freezers, in case of emergencies. 

Prep a quick lasagna or go head-on for a 3-course meal, the kitchen is yours and so is the time. Make sure to save some of everything you make and pack it up in the freezer. (Brownies tend to last quite a while up there, just saying!)

 

  • Decluttering aka Cleaning

Your cupboard, bookshelves, kitchen, garden, backyard and so many other things probably require a deep clean. What’s the best time than this to sort that pile out? 

Decluttering is great for mental stability and brings you a sense of calm. Regular decluttering has also proven to reduce anxiety and stress caused by the mere thought of cleaning.

Tip: Sort and label your stuff in several piles and decluttering can turn into a fun activity. Donate, throw out, hand-me-down, sell, and so on. Unused items make for creative gifts too sometimes!

Bored in quarantine? Download Hala Yalla super app to discover new activities, events and groups! 

Get the app for Android and iOS

Observe Self-Care During Quarantine

Don’t Ignore Self-Care in Quarantine

COVID-19 has left us no choice but to observe absolute social distancing and stay in quarantine. In the time of this global pandemic, our civic responsibility is to give unconditional support to the government and do as we’re told!

We must stay at home and keep ourselves and the people around us safe.

Yes, it can get boring. Even after watching the news, scrolling through social media, and eating, there remains a lot of time to kill.

Why not invest this time in ourselves? It’s a good time to observe self-care.

Here’s a list of things we can do to get rid of our boredom in a productive way.

1. Exercise

If you’ve always wanted to get into the habit of exercising daily, use this time to establish that habit.

Start with light exercises like going for a walk (remember to maintain social distance). Or indulge in high-intensity exercises like weight lifting, cycling, or swimming. Whatever mode of exercise you pick for yourself, it’ll be beneficial for you in every way.

Exercising will help you pass time and benefit your mind, body, and soul.

Man cycling
Get on the wheels!

2. Eat healthily

You certainly can’t go out to dine. Grab this opportunity and establish the habit of eating healthy.

  • Avoid junk and fast food
  • Eat fruits and vegetables that boost the immune system
  • Avoid cold water and other cold drinks
  • Drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated!
  • Quit smoking!
Vegetables on a surface
Eat those veggies

3. Think

There’s a fine line between thinking and overthinking. It’s healthy for the mind to not cross that line.

You’ve got a lot of time. Sit somewhere quiet and meditate about what’s working fine in your life and what needs to be resettled.

Think about the questions we normally avoid. Reflect on your future, career, family, and friends. 

Thinking will help you to define and organize experiences, lay out a plan, reflect and create. 

You won’t get this time again, think about things that matter!

man standing facing window
Think, reflect, and take a deep breath

4. Read in Quarantine

Reading is the ultimate escape for most of us. Make use of this time and invest your time in reading. 

Read the book that’s been on your shelf for a long time. It looks like quarantine got you plenty of time. 

Start reading, it’s the perfect time for solitude!

Open book.
Have you seen my glasses?

5. Binge-watch 

Even if you claim you’ve watched every season of a show, there’ll be still something left to watch.

Ask for suggestions from friends or lookup online. Surely, you’ll find your new favorites in the process.

Man watching television.
Don’t forget to grab some popcorn

6. Learn a skill

Since you got a handful of days, you might as well learn something new.

Spend this time learning productive skills. Learn how to knit, sew, draw, paint, sketch, cook, bake and the list goes on.

Select a thing that interests you most and learn. Consider this quarantine a blessing in disguise and help yourself grow in the meantime.

women knitting
Mind the needle

7. Play online games

Use technology in a productive way! Find a game online to play and join tournaments to win cash prizes.

Kafu Games, by Hala Yalla, is the best Esports hub in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. It has a place for everybody, from amateurs to professionals and gamers to organizers. 

It’s organizing the tournaments that you can join to combat your boredom. Take part in popular game tournaments like PUBG, FIFA, Fortnite, Overwatch and more to win the prize money. 

https://kafugames.com/en/

Kafu FIFA banner
Your ultimate esports platform – Kafu Games

Make the best use of this time, observe self-care, and invest in your wellbeing. This is going to be the only time when you’re told to stay at home and do nothing!

Hala Yalla is offering live stream classes to help you lead a healthy quarantine. Meet a fitness instructor, get a beauty consultation, learn to dance, or play the guitar. Join the classes of your choice through the app to enjoy a discount.

Get the app on Android or iOS

Stay home, stay safe!

How To Not Get Bored during Quarantine!

Make the best use of your time during COVID-19

Staying at home during quarantine is the wisest thing we can do at the moment!

But, it’s getting somewhat boring.

To kill the time, think about everything you thought you’d do when you’ll get time. Now is a perfect time to do that.

But, if you don’t know what to do during this crisis, here’s a list of things that you can do without putting yourself and others around you at risk.

1. Cook together

Since you can’t dine out, bond with your family by helping them in the kitchen and other house chores.

Host your own cooking show from home and film it for fun (make sure your whole family participates in one or the other way). Surely, you’ll have a few good laughs while filming and watching it later will make you smile!

People cutting vegetables together
Have a flour-throwing competition!

2. Reading club at home

Make your own reading club at home!

Ask every member of your family to start reading a book. Race to see who finishes it the quickest. After everybody has finished reading, sit down, and discuss the theme and story plot with your fam.

Or ask your friends to read a book and discuss it with them online.

Open book in lap
You can never run out of books to read

3. Movie Night

Plan to watch a movie alone or ask your family to join you!

No matter how many movies you’ve watched, there’ll still be movies that you don’t know about.

Grab plenty of popcorn and snacks and start watching new movies, or rewatch the ones you can’t get over!

burning candle and open laptop
Classics never get old

4. Make a Family Scrapbook

Compile the family pictures that make you nostalgic and paste them on the scrapbook. 

Write your thoughts, relive those moments. Fill your scrapbook with happy memories!

journal and pens.
Remember that time you fell in the tub?

5. Self Care

Since you’ve got all the time you ever needed, make use of this self-isolation by taking self-care. Ask your family to join you.

Set a routine and follow it regularly. Practice yoga, meditate and keep on exercising. By the time quarantine will end, you’ll get into the habit of self-care.

Man doing yoga
Inhale. Exhale

6. Dinner Party

When you can’t go out and nobody can come in, plan a dinner party with your family.

Set candle lights, turn on the fairy lights, and enjoy the quarantined dinner party.

Burning candles on dinner table
Make sure the curtains don’t catch fire

7. Paint

Express yourself through painting. Get creative on the canvas and paint your mind out.

If you don’t know how to paint, learn from YouTube tutorials and recreate it till you’re able to create!

Man painting.
Hello Picasso

8. Redecorate your home

Considering the amount of time you have on your hands, might as well change the setting of the house.

Redecorate, wash the curtains, paint the walls, be your own designer here!

decorated room.
decorated room

9. Play games

Since everyone’s home, play the games you used to play before you grew up.

Play hide and seek, hide behind the door, under the bed or in the cupboard, and make sure to scare them good!

Play cards or board games. There are plenty of games that we can play inside while keeping ourselves and others safe.

Old man playing cards.
The cards have been dealt

10. Play Esports and Join Tournaments

In this era of advanced technology, it’s impossible not to find anything online.

Keep practicing the games you’re good at. Keep playing!

Kafu Games, by Hala Yalla, brings you the hottest most popular sports tournaments for the biggest titles on every device. Participate in PUBG, FIFA, Fortnite, Overwatch, COD, and more to win the prize money. 

https://kafugames.com/en/

Kafu FIFA banner
Your ultimate esports platform

Make the best use of this time and spend time with your family. This is going to be the only time when you’re told to stay at home and do nothing!

Download the Hala Yalla app for live-streaming classes on cooking, sports, health, arts, and more!

Get the app on Android or iOS

Stay home, stay safe!