The Cloud Over My Social Life

The COVID-19 pandemic is sometimes referred to as a pandemic of social isolation because it has a crucial effect on people’s social interactions, with potential social ramifications. Although social isolation and loneliness have existed even before the pandemic, the issue had never been so rampant until the government issued the stay-at-home directive, with quarantine effects on those infected with the disease. The Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed by the government had also caused social separations among families and friends. This inadvertently, showed that the pandemic had contributed to the erosion of relationships and social connections among people, to the extent that many families, colleagues, and friends became increasingly disconnected from each other. This chapter seeks to understand the individuals’ perception on the consequences of social isolation, and whether or not this was perceived to be a boon or bane. The chapter further explores the implications of the pandemic associated with social isolation, and the re-entry anxiety experienced by employees. As nations around the world transit to an endemic state, this chapter discusses the role of individuals and organisations in reducing the re-entry anxiety, primarily from the social relationship perspective.