'Quite a year': couples on being separated by the Covid pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has lead to airport closures, cancelled flights, and some countries not allowing citizens to leave.

For couples used to being apart for short periods the restrictions have meant being apart for much longer. For those from different countries, they may have had to choose between visiting or caring for family and being together. Some have been kept apart by illness or essential work.

We asked readers to tell us their stories of separation.

Emma and Giles, West Sussex, UK

We met at a friend’s wedding in May 2008. Giles is in the Royal Navy and so were the bride and groom. There were uniforms and champagne everywhere! We were asked repeatedly that day how long we had been together and would it be our wedding next. We kept having to shyly explain that we had just