Family feels the hurt of second Christmas away from loved ones

BEING apart from family is difficult at the best of times, but it can be especially difficult at Christmas.

One couple who are feeling the hurt of separation from their loved ones coming so close to the festive season, is Mickey and Danika Duffy.

Both brought up in Strabane, Danika hails from Ballymagorry originally while her husband Mickey is from Sion Mills. They currently live in Hong Kong.

Both English teachers, the couple have been unable to get back home since 2019.

“Both of us being schoolteachers, it had always been a given that we spent our Christmas and summer school holidays travelling back to Ireland to reunite with loved ones, family and friends,” Danika explained. “But Covid has meant we have been unable to do so, which has been heartbreaking for the both of us. It has been a long and arduous two-and-a-half years and the current situation has meant we won’t be able to travel back to Ireland for Christmas either.

“The children are growing up so fast and it’s so upsetting to think that they haven’t been able to spend time with their grandparents, cousins, aunties and uncles the past two years. Loved ones are also missing out on this special time of their childhood. It’s time we’ll never get back!”

She laments the fact that travelling is still not a possibility, due to the stringent quarantine policy Hong Kong has imposed upon its residents. Danika and Mickey are bound to the policy despite both being double vaccinated.

“The stringent quarantine policy upon arrival back into Hong Kong has made it impossible for us to even consider the possibility of travelling back for the Christmas holidays,” Danika continued. “Ireland’s status as a Group A (high-risk country) for inbound travel means upon arrival we would have to undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 days in a designated quarantine hotel. On top of that, we would have to undergo six tests during the quarantine period, self-monitoring in the subsequent seven days and compulsory testing on the 26th day of arriving back in Hong Kong.

“The length of time we can take off for our school holidays doesn’t even cover the 21 days quarantine period never mind the time we’d want to spend in Ireland. Not only that but subjecting two young children to 21 days locked in a hotel room just seems cruel. Unfortunately, I cannot envision the rules changing any time soon because of the ‘Covid Zero’ policy imposed by the government.”

Despite the obvious agony at not being able to hop on a plane, Danika points to the fact that they are not the only ones in such a situation and therefore, the family will do their best to make Hong Kong feel like home.

“Christmas in Hong Kong looks stunning, with the skyscrapers and shopping centres extravagantly decorated,” Danika remarked. “Traditions imported from home will give us great comfort. We’ll have a Christmas Eve party with our friends, partake in a few Irish coffees, stuff our faces with mince pies and the obvious visit from Santa for the kids. On Christmas Day, it’ll be turkey with all the trimmings, the children will play with their new gifts while watching Christmas films.”

With the New Year on the horizon, the family are looking ahead to Summer 2022 in the hope things will have improved enough for another trip home.

Danika concluded, “We have everything crossed! The day will come, and it will be joyous!”