This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-54229679

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
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 seventeen kids in the school", she tells me incredulously. "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 doctors surgery. 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. "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.