Au pair enjoys seeing Rome alone
For the first time in two months, Emily Hutching-Gough has been able to stretch out and walk the streets of Rome.
But the 19-year-old New Plymouth au pair has found the city’s historic landmarks, normally teeming with tourists, to be eerily deserted.
With coronavirus restrictions lifting in Italy, Hutching-Gough has been exploring at her own pace, and finding it a once-ina-lifetime experience.
‘‘My legs are getting a good workout. It’s so good to be able to rediscover the city with the rules relaxing and things calming down,’’ she said by phone.
‘‘It’s very strange to be at the Coliseum with no one else around. It’s so quiet and eerie.
‘‘But it’s a relief, too, and nice to get to this point.’’
Since February she has been living with an Italian family.
She intended to leave in March but when the Covid-19 outbreak reached Italy she decided to stay at the family’s request.
Initially, Covid-19 restrictions allowed residents to venture only to a nearby park.
But as the death toll climbed – it is now more than 30,000 – families were confined within 200 metres of their apartments.
‘‘We weren’t allowed out of the driveways but it was a good way to meet your neighbours.’’
‘‘It’s so good to be able to rediscover the city with the rules relaxing . . .’’
Emily Hutching-Gough
During the day she read or watched musicals in Italian on TV with the family.
‘‘People are now able to travel to visit their wider family members, and some are back working in factories.
‘‘Soon bookshops, cafes and restaurants will be open for pickup orders.
‘‘People are now meeting for morning coffee in groups but keeping their 1.5m distance from each other.
‘‘There is no embracing or kissing on the cheek yet.’’
Hutching-Gough never goes anywhere without gloves, mask and hand sanitiser, and avoids public transport.
‘‘I just got a new washable mask to wear if I am near people.
I never touch any surface unless I have gloves on, and always wash my hands.’’
Neither Hutching-Gough or the family have tested positive.
‘‘We go through a routine when we come inside the house to change clothing and wash hands.
‘‘It’s a process but really important.’’
Italians accepted the restrictions at first but are now questioning some of the methods, she said.
‘‘There’s been a rise in mental health among young people, and the elderly have been isolated for weeks.
‘‘Some ignored social distancing but most followed the rules and it was hard for many not being able to travel to see family, especially at Easter.
‘‘I’m being positive about the future.
‘‘I’d like to travel later in the summer, and come back to work again for the family.’’