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Rathlin Island: The UK island with no coronavirus cases | Rathlin Island: The UK island with no coronavirus cases |
(about 8 hours later) | |
No shopping trips, no nightclubs, no cinema visits. National lockdown felt pretty different for most of us. | No shopping trips, no nightclubs, no cinema visits. National lockdown felt pretty different for most of us. |
But on Rathlin Island, a small L-shaped bit of land off the coast of Northern Ireland, they're used to it. | But on Rathlin Island, a small L-shaped bit of land off the coast of Northern Ireland, they're used to it. |
Although it hasn't had any cases of Coronavirus, Rathlin went in to lockdown in March. | Although it hasn't had any cases of Coronavirus, Rathlin went in to lockdown in March. |
"It's definitely a slower pace here anyway," 18-year-old Orlagh tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. | "It's definitely a slower pace here anyway," 18-year-old Orlagh tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. |
She's one of around 150 people who actually live on Rathlin Island, and she works in its only pub. | She's one of around 150 people who actually live on Rathlin Island, and she works in its only pub. |
"We've got a post office and gift shop. Then there's a wee museum with things divers found in shipwrecks." | "We've got a post office and gift shop. Then there's a wee museum with things divers found in shipwrecks." |
Orlagh reels off the island's remaining offerings. | Orlagh reels off the island's remaining offerings. |
"One hotel, a couple of hostels. | "One hotel, a couple of hostels. |
"And loads of people come to see the bird sanctuary." | "And loads of people come to see the bird sanctuary." |
When she was at primary school, there was only one teacher. | When she was at primary school, there was only one teacher. |
But no worries about over-subscribed classes here, at that time just three students were enrolled in the whole school. | But no worries about over-subscribed classes here, at that time just three students were enrolled in the whole school. |
"Now, there are 17 kids in the school", she tells me incredulously. | |
"The teacher's having to manage all of them so that's quite a lot." | "The teacher's having to manage all of them so that's quite a lot." |
There's no secondary school on the island. Instead of getting the ferry twice a day to the nearest one, Orlagh went to boarding school in Belfast. | There's no secondary school on the island. Instead of getting the ferry twice a day to the nearest one, Orlagh went to boarding school in Belfast. |
"I know what the city is like because I went to school there. But I don't think I'm missing out by living here, it's just different." | "I know what the city is like because I went to school there. But I don't think I'm missing out by living here, it's just different." |
On the ferry from Ballycastle to Rathlin, you can quickly see why the island is so appealing to visitors. | On the ferry from Ballycastle to Rathlin, you can quickly see why the island is so appealing to visitors. |
The unspoiled landscape is a haven for wildlife. | The unspoiled landscape is a haven for wildlife. |
Forget floating coke cans, if you're lucky you'll see dolphins in the sea surrounding the island. | Forget floating coke cans, if you're lucky you'll see dolphins in the sea surrounding the island. |
But the main difference between Rathlin Island and the rest of the UK at the moment is that it hasn't had any coronavirus cases. | But the main difference between Rathlin Island and the rest of the UK at the moment is that it hasn't had any coronavirus cases. |
"We locked down back in March. | "We locked down back in March. |
"At first they reduced the ferry timetable, but then they stopped it completely." | "At first they reduced the ferry timetable, but then they stopped it completely." |
The ferry is the only way to get to mainland UK from Rathlin, so shutting it off completely was a big decision. | The ferry is the only way to get to mainland UK from Rathlin, so shutting it off completely was a big decision. |
"Food, stuff for the nurse and post was all that could come over." | "Food, stuff for the nurse and post was all that could come over." |
The island has one district nurse who stays there, and can be contacted by phone. There's no hospital or doctor's surgery. | |
It opened back up for visitors in July, with social distancing in place, although not many have come. | It opened back up for visitors in July, with social distancing in place, although not many have come. |
Orlagh says some residents weren't keen on reopening the island. | Orlagh says some residents weren't keen on reopening the island. |
"Some people are still shielding now, they're still nervous and they don't want to mix with anybody." | "Some people are still shielding now, they're still nervous and they don't want to mix with anybody." |
Although Rathlin residents have avoided being physically impacted by coronavirus, the island has been hugely affected. | Although Rathlin residents have avoided being physically impacted by coronavirus, the island has been hugely affected. |
Usually on a sunny day like today, it would be brimming with visitors. | Usually on a sunny day like today, it would be brimming with visitors. |
Orlagh tells me summer is "usually mental". | Orlagh tells me summer is "usually mental". |
"We usually have hundreds of tourists over every day." | "We usually have hundreds of tourists over every day." |
Kieran moved to the island four years ago and says since then it's been "hot and full of tourists". | Kieran moved to the island four years ago and says since then it's been "hot and full of tourists". |
"I enjoyed lockdown, it was some peace and quiet for once. I've been quite content." | "I enjoyed lockdown, it was some peace and quiet for once. I've been quite content." |
Kieran hasn't been off the island all year. He's been working as a cleaner at McCuaig's Bar. | Kieran hasn't been off the island all year. He's been working as a cleaner at McCuaig's Bar. |
He says: "Covid has taken a chunk of our profits, so we'll have to see how we are over the winter. | He says: "Covid has taken a chunk of our profits, so we'll have to see how we are over the winter. |
"It would be such a shame if something happened to the bar because - well, it's our only bar." | "It would be such a shame if something happened to the bar because - well, it's our only bar." |
Like most businesses there, McCuaig's relies on a busy summer to get them through a winter with few visitors. | Like most businesses there, McCuaig's relies on a busy summer to get them through a winter with few visitors. |
"This year is a hard hit for everybody," Orlagh added. | "This year is a hard hit for everybody," Orlagh added. |
"The bar is only operating outside, and that's very weather dependent. Nobody wants to sit outside on a rainy day." | "The bar is only operating outside, and that's very weather dependent. Nobody wants to sit outside on a rainy day." |
Orlagh says it was important to put the islanders' health first. | Orlagh says it was important to put the islanders' health first. |
"We only have one district nurse, no hospitals. If she had to stop transmission of the virus it would have been quite a big procedure." | |
As some businesses on the island roll up their shutters again, some felt the restrictions on distancing and cleaning meant it wouldn't be worth it this year. | As some businesses on the island roll up their shutters again, some felt the restrictions on distancing and cleaning meant it wouldn't be worth it this year. |
Orlagh says: "We should be able to bounce back from this, but it's going to take a long time." | Orlagh says: "We should be able to bounce back from this, but it's going to take a long time." |
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |