#coronavirus thread. Currently travelling back to Scotland from Italy. Thought it might be interesting to compare Italy/UK. This thread will happen over several hours so bear with me.
Currently on a coach from ski resort to Verona. Motorway is v quiet. Over 90% vehicles are lorries, presumably delivering goods. Hardly any cars. I have not seen any other coaches or buses. Two front tows barricaded off so nobody can go to front near the driver.
Not many of us on the bus. All Edinburgh bound although no landing slots so we will be landing in Newcastle and coaching from there.
Everyone on coach calm. Nobody coughing or seeming ill. Quiet conversations amongst partners/families.
Verona airport. V few people. No sign of any arrivals although interestingly taxi rank at arrivals is full of taxis. Army presence and everyone to stand 1m apart. No exceptions. Although not many of us, we are now a VERY long queue stretching the length of this small airport
With the exception of about 4 people sitting we are the only people. Shops and cafe open but nobody in them. Army and officials wearing masks. Can see a small queue at security at far end of hall
Queue moving steadily. Nobody moaning. Everything calm.
After our flight, there are another 7, all to various world destinations. Before us there were 2. One was taking off as we arrived, one was boarding. All flights appear to be spaced so that only one flight’s worth is in each area of the airport at any given time
Not sure how busy Verona is normally but I bet it’s not this quiet. Everything is well organised and ordered. I notice people are deliberately giving Italian staff a wide berth but this seems to be a courtesy rather than abhorrence.
I think everyone is aware that these people are working when they just want to close the airport and go home. Hearing that the last flight out is tomorrow sometime. Not sure if that’s true.
Correction, only 4 flights still to go today. The other 3 are tomorrow.
Through security. Again calm and well mannered. One person at a time. Now in departure lounge.
It was all going so well. However, friends’ flight to Gatwick which should have taken off at 1pm, has only just taken off. It was the first flight of the day. There have been no arrivals. May be here longer than I thought.
That’s 1pm local time. It’s 2.43pm here. 1 3/4 hours late for take off. This may be a long long day.
On plane. A little speech about if you’re feeling ill and off we go. See you at the other side.
Flight landed. Waiting to get off plane. We have had 3 announcements about reporting ourselves of feeling ill and impressing on us that we MUST self isolate for 14 days, symptoms or not.
Off plane. Heading for passport control and baggage reclaim
Passport control. Standard passport control. Tbf I think we are the only flight arriving
Now at baggage reclaim. We are definitely the only arrival at present.
Just got text from friend who was flying back to Gatwick. No checks, no segregation. They could now just get Gatwick Express and then into London. Nothing to stop them! They won’t as they have car but still.
People from other flights have just arrived at baggage collecting point
We are now in main airport concourse. No checks. No advice. No leaflets.
And now we are on bus awaiting departure to Edinburgh. Remember the Italian driver who was so careful to avoid close contact with us? Drivers here have no such concerns.
The conclusion of my thread? Your government is not taking this seriously. #takeitonthechin they have no interest in your welfare. Thanks for reading, those that made it to the end.
