If you live abroad (ie not UK), what's life like in your country?

[purrswhileheeats]

Apologies if this has already been done

Here we have to obtain a permit to go out and must carry ID; police are stopping motorists and pedestrians and handing out on-the-spot fines to anyone found without both, no exceptions. Local FB pages inundated with expats complaining they 'can't use the sunbeds on the beach' or complaining they've been fined for not carrying the correct documents.

Weirdest thing though is seeing how the locals have changed. They are passionate, loud people who usually greet each other with handshakes and kisses; I have never seen a nation so subdued. So strange too how a country of queue-refusers can suddenly comply with social distancing, will they go back to normal 'once all this is over'?

Where are you OP?

Sorry, Cyprus

I don’t know about the queueing thing OP, I’m cyprus too and there was a right kerfuffle at my local supermarket apparently.

Also, have you got the text permission to work yet? I’ve had no luck so replying on the paper form

I’m in Germany. Small town in the north. We’re supposed to have similar conditions to the uk but no one seems to be taking things very seriously. My neighbors are letting their two year old play out alone (no, not in their garden)meaning mine can’t go out in the garden because they’ll be straight over to him. He’s sticking his hands through our gate right now...

French I've used the the text thing twice and it's worked fine, are you entering the codes properly?

Italy.
People are complying despite what Sky news clickbait would have the rest of the world think.
Children are receiving lessons online from their teachers (video conferencing via Google and Zoom) and whingjng about homework. Zoom has given all teachers premium accounts so our lessons can last the full time slot instead of 40 minutes.
We have to take a document saying why we are out and the police presence on the streets is massive.
Only food shops, chemists and public services are open. Few people allowed in at a time.
People are no longer allowed to go a distance from their home as they were congregating in parks/seafront etc. Parks are all locked up. Dogs can be taken outside to do what they need to do, but not for walks.

Very interesting thread and responses so far.

I saw on the news today that in Sweden it’s business as usual - they interviewed a barber, who was trading.

I live in the US, in a suburb in the fourth largest city in the country.

The schools closed for spring break around March 6th but it was decided a few days later that schools should be closed until April 13th due to CV.

The county judge and the mayor closed all restaurants, bars and cafes on March 16th. Most bars, restaurants and cafes were set up for takeaways and were allowed to continue to offer those services. They also had a closure of most businesses that are not deemed essential around March 17th. Most people are WFH.

The grocery stores were completely wiped out two weeks ago when panic shopping set in and there were no limitations on quantities. That quickly changed and our most revered grocery chain, HEB, quickly enforced six foot distancing, limits on items, changed opening and closing times, offered special shopping hours for the elderly and people with additional needs, curbside pickup and delivery. Stocks of food are now nearly back to normal at HEB stores. We live in an area with hurricanes (our last one in 2017 brought the city to its knees) so we are generally prepared.

We have loads of city and pocket parks and we are not restricted in how long we can be out but we have to adhere to a six-foot distancing. Saying that, Galveston Island, our nearest beach, the Seawall and it's shops are shut down. We are still allowed to drive from place to place.

My suburb has a very large CV testing center in the parking lot of one of our football stadiums. I believe there's another three around the city. If you have symptoms, you immediately self-isolate and you contact your doctor and get instruction from the doctor on what to do next. They will determine whether you need to go to a center and will issue you a letter with permission for a test. I believe there's a fee of over $100 payable to get confirmation which you'll receive in a few days. You are instructed to stay at home and wait.

That's it for now. Things can always change. Our county, the third largest in the nation with 4.5 million, we currently have 445 cases with three deaths.

We are in France, rural so tbh it's always pretty quiet. attestation to be completed each time you leave your home ,essential shops and pharmacy open ,police doing checks. No food shortage where we are

I’m in Germany, from what i can see most people are taking it very seriously and following the guidelines. I haven’t seen any children playing out, only occasionally on walks with their family groups. Schools have been closed for 2 weeks, emergency childcare is available to anyone who needs it = no key worker list here = but at the school DH teaches at (kids from UK equivalent Year 6) no children turned up. I live in a small town and there has been very little sign of panic buying other than no flour available for the last couple of weeks. I’ve been impressed by the amount of information available from the local , with daily updates on local cases and in general some sound guidance.

I'm in Ireland. I haven't been out in 3 weeks so i haven't seen first-hand what things are like. We're not allowed out except to buy food or medications, for exercise within 2km of our homes, or to help elderly people who are being cocooned. Lots of local companies in our town are doing home delivery so shopping isn't a problem. Lots of people are working from home.

The main problem here seems to be over 70s who don't want to be cocooned, and are insisting on going to mass and the shops every day

Kingdom of Bahrain

Life feels reasonably good here. Yes, we have the virus, yes there's Bahraini's coming back from Iran still but fair dues to the government, they're on top of their game! Great to see the BBC even complimenting them!

We're on lockdown but not curfew. Communication is excellent and the shops a full to the brim! We've been homeschooling for 4 weeks, not anyone's idea of fun but manageable. Very, very blessed not to work and have help at home. No, not a boast, but as many of you know, just part of expat life. Would I prefer to be in the UK? 50/50. Yes, I would like to see our parents but genuinely feel much, much happier and safer here in my little bubble.

Stay safe

Also France. Ski resort. We are on day 12 I think.
The restrictions are pretty strict. Allowed out once a day to exercise within 1km of your home and no more than 100m in height above your home max 1 hour. Only with the people you live with.

Supermarket here is only allowing a few people in at a time with 10-20 min limit on your shop (hard when trying to buy for a week!) Smaller shops are a little more relaxed on that.
From what I've seen there is quite a split between those understanding and complying and trying to only ho out if they need to, and those who want to push/ break the rules saying that going to buy garden equipment or DIY materials are essential.
There is quite an emphasis in the regulations about limiting things which might land you kn hospital with an injury- I tbknk lots of people see themselves as the exception to this rule eg. Neighbours kids jumping off a roof on to their trampoline, 2x different neighbours carrying out roof maintenance (no safety equipment of course!)
Roads do seem clearer but it took a few days for this to happen- perhaps tourists leaving, perhaps people getting stopped and fined for non essential travel.
We are very close to ths swiss border which has been barricaded and is open for an hour or so a day only for essential frontalier workers.

@utterly, my 70 something parents in a cute NW town in the UK also think its OK to go to Waitrose every morning to pick up the newspapers

I'm in Cyprus too. I saw a farmer get stopped for paperwork right outside my house yesterday. I was surprised he got stopped by the police as it was obvious what he was doing. Don't know why he got stopped and not the kids on mopeds.

We've not had any problems getting hold of anything but there's a strange feeling and our usually chatty Cypriot neighbours are very subdued.

Also, DH is still working here in Cyprus. We're doing forms not texting. He's not been stopped yet. Mil got stopped today no form or text and she got away with it!

I’m in Dubai.

Schools and nurseries have been closed for 3/4 weeks already. Everyone is WFH unless in a critical sector.

There is a curfew from 8pm-6am every night, ostensibly so the streets and roads can be sanitized.

We aren’t officially in lockdown like the UK but the message is very clear - stay home. Luckily, it’s very normal here for supermarkets and pharmacies to deliver to your door, so we literally haven’t left the house for nearly 2 weeks.

The UAE has one of the highest testing rates per capita in the world and communication from the government has been loud and clear.

In general I think we are feeling very well looked after by the authorities and there’s a sense that we took action quickly (ie schools shut weeks ago)

With all that said and done, this situation has really reminded me how far from home (the UK) I am

I'm in central Portugal. The nearest town is completely closed, apart from banks, supermarkets, chemists, vets and pet stores. Everyone seems to be taking it very seriously and there's been no panic buying. The population here is mainly elderly (manual labour and olive oil = longevity!) so I hope the numbers in Portugal continue to be low.

South Germany, lots of cases near here. I haven't been anywhere except the woods near our house for about 10 days because they are only letting one person in the supermarket from a family, and I can't drive (only DH). DH got freaked out in the supermarket because there are lines on the floor and everyone backs away from each other. We walk most days, it's about 50/50 whether people make space/are grateful for us making space or just walk past like normal.

I know quite a few people who are or have been ill, but don't get the sense that our health system is overwhelmed. The advice number (like 111) isn't permanently engaged like it sounds like it is over there. Although paediatricians are cagey about non-essential visits apparently.

We're not supposed to go out unless essential, essential is broadly the same as the UK - visit to food shop or pharmacy, exercise, to visit doctor, help someone who needs care etc, but no "once a day" exercise restriction. All playparks are closed. Our walk today through the village was pretty deserted.

China resident, but stuck here now as border closed to foreigners.
My dh is there. Dd’s School reopens tomorrow for two grades and then will gradually start all grades over the next few weeks. School will have social distancing measures, compulsory mask wearing etc.
Quarantine measure are tough for those returning to China: my dh is in a quarantine facility for another 12 days.

Catalonia here. Life is pretty grim especially for children. They were sent home 12 March and was it. From 15th we've not been allowed out unless food or pharmacy. You have to queue, sanitize, wear gloves , but no shortages. Only one person at once with a form saying where you are going. A lot live in apartments with just small balconies so you can imagine how children are feeling. We have a fabulous beach about 250m away and parks etc. I think it will be quite a while before we can go out.

Denmark. Im wfh as non essential public sector. No gatherings of more than 10. No stock piling (or hamstering as the danish call it) but sanitizer has sold out. Everyone being quite sensible really. We can go out as much as we like so have been going for lovely walks. The prime ministers approval is through the roof. She even holds press conferences for children!

Lovely thread, I’ve been wanting to know what everyone else is doing

Switzerland (near Zurich). Everything shut down here 2 weeks ago. Depending on where you are schools are already teaching online others are getting ready to start as soon as possible.
Per 1mil of population we have a high number of cases and deaths. But I think we shut down early enough that there is a slow and steady increase in numbers and hospitals are far from being overwhelmed.
There are no controls at supermarkets and I guess when I went yesterday I arrived at a bad time. There were loads of people. I heard 2 people coughing. Mostly couples even a pregnant woman with partner and a family with teenage kids. Noone particularly concerned with keeping distance. It was horrible.
A lot of construction work (gardeners, builders etc) are still working.
Noticeably road and sky traffic is almost non existent.

Can I also add we have no riots in Italy (I think they would have been on the news!) Despite what eleventy different MN threads are saying today?!
Shanghai good news about your schools! Was speaking to my friend in Shanghai this morning.