Cute Couple Oblivious Of Coronavirus Pandemic, Whilst Yachting Around The World

Whilst sailing around the Caribbean (I know it seems a way of for the rest of us), a cute couple were left completely struck by the extent of the coronavirus until they were informed many of the islands were closing their borders.

Ryan Osbourne from Manchester and Elana Manighetti from Italy left 9 to 5 lives for something more novel in 2017 and bought a boat to sail the world together.

Earlier this year they planned to sail to St Vincent, a lush paradise in the Caribbean a lengthy 3,000+ miles away from their initial location of the Canary Islands.

Despite knowing the coronavirus had taken hold in China upon leaving the Canary islands, the extent of the rapid growth and spread of the virus worldwide had eluded them. Perhaps partially due to asking their families not to give them bad news whilst they were away.

In an excerpt from talking to the BBC Elana said: “In February we'd heard there was a virus in China, but with the limited information we had, we figured by the time we got to the Caribbean in 25 days it would all be over.

"We told our shore contacts we didn't want to hear any bad news, which was a difficult job as it was pretty bad news."

Almost a month later, a span in which there was little to no mobile signal and access to the world at large, the couple eventually reacher the Caribbean in their humble sea-faring abode.

It was only then that the pernicious extent of the pandemic would become apparent. They were unable to access many of their planned destinations as docks closed borders due to restrictions and lockdown rules and regulations. They were then informed by a sailing friend who’d arrived there ahead of them.

Ryan was noted as saying: "We first attempted to land in one of the French territories in the Caribbean but when we arrived we found all the borders were closed and the islands were closing down.

"Even at that point we assumed it was a preventative measure due to the high season. We thought the islands didn't want to run the risk of a few tourists infecting the locals."

Elana mentioned that due to the virus being wide spread in her native Italy (Lombardy), she was unable to land due to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. However thanks to being able to provide ample proof that they had remained at sea during the spread of the virus they were given pardon and allowed entry.

In a fortunate spin of fate, by being isolated for almost a month at sea the couple had inadvertently self quarantined in the safest place possible. Now they’re stationed in Saint Vincent, and will remain there for the foreseeable future since they are unable to continue their travels.

Elana’s family said her family in Italy are fortunately safe and mentioned they are likely going to miss a lot of Caribbean adventures even if the lockdown does lift due to the incoming Hurricane season.

"We're sandwiched between the hurricane season and the virus."