Time spent in quarantine: Challenges and tips
People who have travelled recently and are coming back to Malta need to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine due to the coronavirus outbreak. Those who came back during a period where a mandatory quarantine was required, now face a fine of €3,000 each time they breach the quarantine conditions
Spending 14 days indoors is no easy task. spoke to two people who are in such a situation, both of whom asked for their last names not to be published.
Marion is currently in quarantine in her family home in Gozo after travelling to Malta from Rome. Marion usually splits her month working in Malta and in Italy, but once COVID-19 hit Italy, she flew back home. “I was tested originally at Fiumicino airport in Rome and again at Malta International Airport once I landed. In both cases I had no signs of a fever,” explained Marion.
She began her time in quarantine before the government made it mandatory. “I have had no symptoms whatsoever, so this quarantine is precautionary. I’m asthmatic, so I think that I would have felt the difference in breathing were I to have had the virus.”
Whilst Italy has had a total of 27,980 COVID-19 cases, Marion explained that the town she was staying in, Frascati, has had no cases so far. “We are all aware that Italy has been hit badly, but we need to remember that not all towns have been hit by the virus. Italy has taken the precaution of a lockdown to contain the virus.” Marion will be spending time in quarantine working online and reading.
“Staying indoors for so long can be daunting. Knowing that you can’t go out, not even to the grocer or for just a simple walk along the coast, is difficult. I understand that this is crucial for each and every one of us. There are some who won’t make it if the virus is transmitted to them. Why not try to protect them then?”
Maria is a Maltese national who was working for a publishing company in Oxford in the United Kingdom. She arrived in Malta on 15 March and has quarantined herself at home. “Before I left the UK, the UK government was not doing much to help the situation, and at that point in time no measures had been implemented, even though the situation was getting worse.” She said that once she arrived at Malta International Airport, she could tell that Malta was taking the situation more seriously than the UK. She had to fill out a form regarding her flight details and also had her temperature taken.
Maria will be in quarantine with her father at home for the time being. “I’ll be working from home, catching up on reading and watching some series, while also completing a 1,000-piece puzzle. The situation is unfortunate, but I’m trying to remain positive, stay safe and keep others safe too.”