7 Women From Around The World Share What Lockdown Is Like Where They Live
After enduring one of the longest lockdowns in the world, Melbourne is slowly, but surely on the path to recovery. Despite handling our initial COVID-19 outbreak with grit and dignity (minus the panic buying), Victorians were dealt a bad hand and wound up in a perpetual state of pause.
Left in the dust by the rest of Australia, we held onto nothing but our mandated hour of exercise and 9pm curfew, forced to watch on as others reclaimed parts of our old lives which remain a distant memory.
And it wasn’t just our interstate counterparts that sometimes made us feel like the odd ones out. I felt confused watching my favourite DJ’s play the biggest nightclubs in Mykonos in August, or when every Scandi-influencer was able to travel across Europe over summer. Sometimes it felt like we were living in an alternate universe.
But the reality is we weren’t alone – and it’s all too easy to lose perspective. In pursuit of that reminder, I asked women from around the world what lockdown was really like in their city, and what they can’t wait to do when restrictions ease.
Martina Olivari - Borgomanero, Italy
What has lockdown looked like in your city?
Italy was one of the first western countries to be hit by COVID. On January 31, the first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Rome but it wasn’t until mid February that the proper outbreak came. We’ve faced a few phases of lockdown, starting in March. Italian national territory was divided into three areas; a red zone, where the whole population was quarantined, a yellow zone, where social, sports events and schools were suspended and the rest of the national territory, where safety and prevention measures are advertised in public places with special sanitisations in practice.
In May a gradual loosening of the containment measures started where most businesses could reopen, and free movement was granted – by June we entered the third phase and that’s when things started to feel a little bit more normal. At the start of the summer numbers were decreasing, but by the end of the season numbers increased again, after too many people moved around the country for holidays. Right now clubs are still closed, major sport or entertainment events are cancelled and schools have a mixed program with some online and some in person classes. We have to wear masks when we leave the house, and respect social distancing.
What’s been the hardest part about lockdown for you?
During lockdown I moved back home to be with my family who live more in the countryside because in Milan (where I was living for university) cases were really high. I was able to do university classes online, but it wasn’t easy at first since we’ve never done anything like that. I’ve just been spending time studying, watching TV or FaceTiming my friends - I never went out even once during the lockdown phase.
What’s something you can’t wait to do again once restrictions ease?
The thing I miss the most is traveling. I had a few trips planned that were cancelled due to COVID, so I can’t wait to be able to do that again, without restrictions like before.
ITALY TOTAL CASES: 449,648 DEATHS: 36,832
Evelyn Cools - New York City, USA
What has lockdown looked like in your city?
My husband and I moved to Brooklyn, NY in February, right before COVID hit the US. Living in a small apartment in a super crowded area when lockdown started was tough to say the least. Being in the epicenter of the virus for a few months was something no one can really prepare for. Things started getting better for us when we were able to move out of Brooklyn, to Weehawken, New Jersey in August. The numbers started getting better in New York and work is slowly picking back up. It's still strange living in such a dense city during a time of social distancing – made worse by all the overarching anxieties in the US at the moment.
NYC is such an iconic place for art and expression, a city that never sleeps, and I'm really not sure when it will start feeling “normal” again. Currently my husband is commuting again during the week for work and I’ve found some opportunities to work from home. We continue to social distance as best we can.
What’s been the hardest part about lockdown for you?
As a musician and sound engineer this has been an incredibly hard time for me. Aside from losing all my income at first, the tensions in our area and living in quarantine with roommates really blocked my creativity. Songwriting is truly a therapy for me, and not being able to access that part of myself wasn't something I had experienced like this before. It seemed like every day things just got worse and worse, with no real end in sight. We are starting to get into a better routine now and I’m getting back to my creative mindset. My work always varies, but the last few weeks I’ve been doing a lot of writing, audio projects, and I recently also released my EP of five songs called Misfit Paradise. I've also been finding a lot of peace in mindful cooking, drawing and little moments of joy with my family.
What’s something you can’t wait to do again once restrictions ease?
To start performing live again! Before quarantine I was either running audio or performing at live shows at least twice a week, and it's something I've missed so much. Also spending more time with my family – my parents and brothers live close by but the rest of my family is in Belgium. I'm really looking forward to being able to hop on a plane and visit my home country. But until then, luckily we have Skype!
USA TOTAL CASES: 8.3 million DEATHS: 222,157
Rose - Bali, Indonesia
What has lockdown looked like in your city?
In Bali they have a yearly celebration of 'silent day' where the island is encouraged to fast, meditate and refrain from using electricity, especially lights. The first COVID-19 precautions took place when the silent day celebrations were halted. Usual ceremonies and parades were put on hold and they added an extra day of mandatory 'staying in'. My roommates and myself were concerned that only one day of isolation seemed pointless, so we began our own self-isolation.
A hospital was allocated to cases and curfews were enforced to restrict movement between provinces. Businesses began to close and expats and unsuspecting tourists started to catch repatriation flights home before the island got cut off from regular travel routes. Bali as a whole was very slow to keep up with the progress of keeping people safe, but fortunately has not been hit hard by cases compared to some other countries. Tourist attractions and beaches that had been closed are opening gradually, but for an island that relies solely on tourism, Bali has been significantly damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s been the hardest part about lockdown for you?
Luckily I work on a freelance basis and have been able to continue working throughout the pandemic. The businesses I work for are based in the tourism industry and have had to make cuts on all levels. Both mentally and financially, the work has kept me busy and afloat. It’s been hard to keep a routine and I’ve tried to be as patient with myself as possible, allowing myself bad days staying in bed and pushing through dark moments to get up and out. I have two dogs that keep me busy, and when talking to my family in the UK I’m reminded that everyone is in the same position. I’m lucky to be in such a beautiful place with the comfort of a home and some sort of income.
What’s something you can’t wait to do again once restrictions ease?
To be honest, a lot of restrictions are already very relaxed here. Restaurants are open, there are secret parties and people are able to travel domestically. But I can't wait to be able to go back to the UK to hug my parents and grandparents!
INDONESIA TOTAL CASES: 378,000 DEATHS: 12,959
Mai El Mokadem - Alexandria, Egypt
What has lockdown looked like in your city?
The lockdown started in March when everything shut down, colleges and schools became online. At the beginning, there was a strict curfew and no public transportation, people were working from home or on a paid leave if they had high blood pressure, diabetes or were high risk. As we’re a Muslim country the curfew was later updated to Ramadan schedules to accommodate our hours of fasting. In June, the curfew was finally removed and places started to reopen. Obviously there are changes – you have to wear masks, limited seats, temperature checks, limits on table numbers and most places have a QR code for online menus. This is still the case so far, and places close at around 9-10pm.
People were really exhausted and expecting the worst initially, then as Egypt proved to be doing well containing the virus there was a more positive atmosphere. Case numbers are currently going down and life is starting to feel more like normal but people are apprehensive about a second wave of the virus in the winter.
What’s been the hardest part about lockdown for you?
The hardest part has been the anxiety. At first, things felt so confusing and nothing was certain. I’m aware of my privilege and extremely blessed and grateful to have a safe home to be in, but on a mental level, I felt stuck and experienced mild panic attacks. My parents are divorced and I don’t live with my dad, so not seeing him was really difficult. But a few months on, I was able to develop a more positive mindset and routine. I started doing a daily skincare routine, working out, reading more, journaling everyday and even TikTok has helped!
What’s something you can’t wait to do again once restrictions ease?
I can’t wait for the simple things. I can’t wait for hugs, being enveloped in embraces of the people you love. I can’t wait to go the cinema and watch a brand new movie. I can’t wait for concerts and screaming with your friends, sweaty and glowing, smiling so hard your face hurts. I miss being carefree and not stressing about masks or sanitisers and what I’ve touched. Most of all, I am looking forward to more gratitude and positivity – I think we’ve all changed and I appreciate the little things more now.
EGYPT TOTAL CASES: 105,883 DEATHS: 6,155
Te Wai Rua-Cowan - Auckland, New Zealand
What has lockdown looked like in your city?
New Zealand was hit with the second wave of COVID-19 in August. When Auckland went back into lockdown effective immediately, I was staying at the student apartments when the news broke out late at night. Next thing all I can see is flocks of students leaving, sitting outside, bags packed and ready to go home and that’s just the reality of how fast COVID can change plans. The new cases were in Auckland, which meant we had to remain in Level 3 lockdown. Despite NZ’s success eradicating the virus initially, our government has been saying from the start that a second wave was inevitable, so it wasn’t a surprise when it came back around.
Communities have come together creating free food or sanitary boxes and pick up meals for those in need. The unity here is strong! “Kia Kaha New Zealand and keep safe” (Kia kaha – Maori for Stay Strong) streams along signs on the motorway reminding us we are in this together. As of October, Auckland finally (to our delight) went back into Level 1. Slowly but surely, things are getting back to what we could consider the new normal. Everything is open, roads are bustling and social gatherings over 10 people are no longer illegal - as odd as that sounds.
Moving forward united as a nation, we’re all doing our bit to make sure cases remain low. Using the COVID tracker to scan in and out of public places, keeping our hands sanitised and staying home if we’re sick are some of the new norms in New Zealand. Although it’s been a hectic ride, there’s no place I’d rather be or call home during such unprecedented times.
What’s been the hardest part about lockdown for you?
The initial fear of working in customer service throughout lockdown as I work part-time at my local grocery store as a check out supervisor. Although new measures were put in place to reduce contact like perplex screens, distancing and wearing gloves and masks, I worried about catching the virus considering I was coming into contact with hundreds of different people every shift. However, I had to remind myself that I am young, healthy and able and also very blessed to still be working! Unlike most in New Zealand, I’m fortunate enough to be financially secure throughout lockdown as an essential worker. With uni closed and everything moved online, I had the freedom to pick up a lot of extra shifts.
What’s something you can’t wait to do again once restrictions ease?
Go to the gym! And socializing is definitely something I took for granted before lockdown. On the bright side, it makes you appreciate all these little things just a little more when we are able to do them again! I also can’t wait to go back to uni. It’s my last semester before I graduate and this wasn’t exactly how I planned on spending my last few months. Nevertheless, it’s been an interesting ride and I just can’t wait to be back in a social university environment once this has passed.
NEW ZEALAND TOTAL CASES: 1914 DEATHS: 25
Gowri Nair - Kerala, India
What has lockdown looked like in your city?
When I first moved here earlier this year, there was hardly anyone on the roads which is not like India! It was so strange waking up and not hearing cars honking and the hustle and bustle of the city. The air pollution levels have dropped so much that the mountains and coastlines, that haven’t been visible for years, are now fully visible! I have never seen India like this. At the start of the pandemic, Kerala was quite successful in containing COVID-19 but now it’s one of the states with the fastest-growing cases. It’s hard here because India has such a large population and it’s so dense that it’s physically very difficult to social distance.
What’s been the hardest part about lockdown for you?
The hardest part of lockdown for me has been slowing down. I love being busy and having a fast-paced schedule, and when the lockdown hit, all of that changed. I was forced to take a step back and really sit with myself, and my thoughts. Although it was slightly uncomfortable in the beginning, this quarantine has given me a refreshed perspective and a deeper understanding of who I am.
What’s something you can’t wait to do again once restrictions ease?
One of the things I'm looking forward to doing is going on a trip to Mumbai, India, with my best friend and just spending quality time with my loved ones who I haven't seen in so long. Dreaming about that is what keeps my heart full.
INDIA TOTAL CASES: 7.7 million DEATHS: 116,616
Madeline Lewis Brown - Warrington, UK
What has lockdown looked like in your city?
Lockdown has been crazy this past couple of months, as restrictions keep changing pretty regularly in the UK. First, in full lockdown we weren't allowed to mix with other households or go to bars, restaurants or any public spaces. Facemasks are compulsory in any public space, and if you didn't follow that rule you would were at risk of receiving a £100 ($184) fine. As the months progressed our Prime Minister eased the restrictions, we could go out to public spaces but we were limited groups of six and we had to socially distance. This miffed quite a few people off because we weren't allowed to go and visit loved ones in their houses or cross households, but we were allowed to go to the pub in groups of six!
Now we’ve technically been put in lockdown again. We could still go out now to pubs and restaurants but they have a curfew of 10pm - so people are just getting drunk earlier and going home earlier! The fine for not wearing a mask has now been increased to £200 ($369). Warrington is now deemed a 'high risk' area but people across the UK at the moment are highly confused by the mixed COVID rules our Prime Minister is feeding the public. A lot of people are really frustrated.
What's been the hardest part of lockdown?
The hardest part for me is being able to work from home. It's hard to communicate however it's been getting easier as my university is doing really well at organising lectures online. My routine is quite simple, I make sure to do little things like eat each meal at the same time everyday to keep myself consistently energised and I try to be as active as I can in my local area.
What's something you can't wait to do when restriction ends?
I can't wait to go to live music gigs and festivals again. I love the buzz of being in a big group of people enjoying the music, so I can't wait to do that again and see my favourite bands.
UNITED KINGDOM TOTAL CASES: 789,200 DEATHS: 44,158
Cases data via the New York Times (up to date as of publication, October 23).