Dating is hard enough at the best of times. But throw in a pandemic, plus nationwide social distancing, and a highly contagious virus, and you would expect the search for love to be the last thing on everyone’s mind. But in 2020, dating has been thriving and with lots of time of people’s hands, there has been a surge in the use of dating apps.
How has the pandemic changed the dating game?
Singles across the country are turning to dating apps in record numbers, and due to the pandemic, the rules of online dating are also rapidly changing to adapt to this new climate. Zoom and Facetime dates have quickly become the go to first date and has become the cool thing to do.
With many lockdown restrictions in place, single people – especially those who live alone – are turning to dating sites to meet new people and to cure their loneliness. And since the UK Government has put the tiered systems in place, many bars and restaurants have since been closed which has made meeting new people and first dates harder than they should be.
To help users comply with social distancing rules, some dating sites are adapting their business models to cater to the new norms of dating whilst in quarantine. Some companies have enabled the feature to allow potential matches to video call if both parties agree to the call, and some have launched livestreams which allows users to livestream to potential matches.
What changes will we see to the dating industry in 2021?
With the pandemic restrictions predicted to last up until Spring of 2021, I think that the use of dating apps and agencies will continue to rise. If you are still interested in dating local, you can check out the Manchester dating site or the dating agency Manchester – you never know, you may meet the love of your life or a new life long friend.
For the foreseeable future, we will be living under house arrest, which is a situation that has already promoted family gatherings on Zoom, Facetime happy hours, virtual game nights and even synced Netflix watch parties. Single people have been extremely adaptable during the pandemic – especially since they have been driven by loneliness and forming a companionship with someone – and for that reason, the coronavirus lockdown has been changing how we date, which has likely shifted our dating habits permanently.
And whilst we are social distancing, it doesn’t mean we are disconnected. I believe that people will continue to develop new innovative ways to continue dating whilst in the pandemic, and the dating game will never just halt completely!
Social distancing date ideas
Solve a virtual escape room
Have a Netflix viewing party
Go for a socially distanced walk in the park
Play an online game together or go classic with old school
games with virtual crosswords and puzzles
Make a cinema in your back garden
Pick your own fruit
Go for a romantic sunset walk – even better if you live near
a beach!
