Covid, the 3 English “blocked” in Italy: “In quarantine since August, inedible foods”

He is almost ashamed to talk to an Italian newspaper (“We love Italy, don’t get me wrong, we will definitely be back”) but the truth is that what was supposed to be a great work experience has turned into a nightmare. “Mentally and physically we started to feel very bad, I don’t know how long we can continue.” Quinn PaczesnyThe 20-year-old has been quarantined for five weeks in Florence with two colleagues, British like him. All three tested positive for the Covid swab on August 17 after spending the Ferragosto in Venice. Since then they have been locked in individual rooms, away from friends and acquaintances, without distraction or support. An ordeal that landed in the British press along with photographs of “inedible food and absolutely insufficient portions”. “At first we thought the situation would last a couple of weeks and we didn’t worry,” says Quinn, Workshop, Nottinghamshire. Now we have been here for more than a month and we see no way out ».

Blocked

Outside, life goes on. Inside, anxiety increases. “I have to start the second year of college at Lincoln, if I am late I will have to catch up, I could lose the year. Rhys (James, 23 years old) works, teaches music and languages, has to return. Will (Castle, 22) is an actor in London. We feel like prisoners ». The young people, who changed three structures during the confinement, are at the EurHotel, near the Florence airport, due to five positive swabs. Tomorrow Monday they will undergo the sixth. “We have no information. We ask for documents in English that at least demonstrate the legitimacy of the structure, but nothing has been provided, we grope in the dark, almost as if it were all a television joke. However, there are people who leave, we see them. They told us that for the transfer we have to communicate an address in Italy where we can isolate ourselves, but we don’t have one ”. But the Tuscan health authorities seem to deny the English version. “They are free to go home whenever they want – explains Renzo Berti, doctor and director of the prevention department of Asl Centro -. All they have to do is officially request it and fill out a form as some foreigners, French and Dutch, who have been repatriated, have already done. Obviously, safety rules must be respected and the trip cannot be carried out normally, perhaps with a scheduled flight. There are rules to respect and the trip is agreed with the country of origin. If they do not want to continue being treated free of charge by our health service, a signature is enough “. The three young men arrived in Italy on July 4 with the Educo organization to teach English. “It was great to come here and be able to help the boys who suffered during the confinement. And for us it was also a way to earn something and make ourselves useful instead of staying home and asking for benefits. It’s a shame the experience ended in such a ruinous way. ”