How lockdown will affect your Valentine’s Day 2021

Couples will be affected in more ways than one during this February 14th

As government reports suggest that England's current and third national lockdown could continue until Easter, how will couples cope during the year's most romantic day: Valentine's Day.

Well, the year did not start off well. Another year, another lockdown. And with January being known as 'Divorce Month' for couple's abandoning their relationships for their new year's resolutions, it seems that for the foreseeable future, couples' lives might be a bit gloomy to say the least.

But it can't get much worse than this, right?

Well not necessarily.

While lockdown might seem to drag the days and nights along, a report from eharmony and Relate found that over a third of new British couples felt that two months during lockdown equated to two years' worth of a relationship.

A further 17% of couples in Britain found out during the national lockdowns that their relationships were over.

And the story seems just as bleak for those that are single and ready to, socially distanced, mingle.

Single Brits looking for love on a typical Valentine's Day may not be as successful this year, not only as the current lockdown measures require people to stay at home unless for essential reasons but also as two in five of singletons battled loneliness during lockdown.

And the unfortunate cherry on top, the closure of florists and chocolatiers as they are not classified as essential shops.

But fear not, it is not all doom and gloom.

Guylian announced yesterday a new unveiling of chocolates in petite sizes, perfect for sending through the post for loved ones, being sold at essential shops such as supermarkets.

As dating apps such as Match.com and OKCupid saw a 30% surge in users within the first lockdown back in March, singletons during this current lockdown will have more time at home to utilise similar websites and apps for connecting with possible suitors online.

For couples locked down together, TV streaming services can help set the Valentine's atmosphere with a rom-com or two as 12 million users joined services like Disney+ and Netflix during the first lockdown.

And finally, there have been predictions that 2021 will not only be romantic but also filled with wedding bells.

According to Hamish Shepard, the founder of Bridebook, there will be around 10,000 proposals for Valentine's Day 2021 as couples get hopeful for the coronavirus vaccine being rolled out and gatherings to resume in the summer.