Curfews, vaccinations, restrictions and an army of lockdown volunteers - life in Italy for a former Farringdon woman

A former Sunderland woman has revealed how Covid-19 has impacted everything from her olive supplies to civil defence in Italy.
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Sandra Perry, nee Laws, from Farringdon and husband Greg run a small bed and breakfast and olive oil business in Cingoli.

But just like Britain, Italians had to adjust to the pandemic and Sandra gave the Echo an insight into life in her new homeland.

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"Economically, it is very tough and we had a large amount of cancellations at the start of the year for our bed and breakfast,” said Sandra.

Shopping restrictions in Italy.Shopping restrictions in Italy.
Shopping restrictions in Italy.

"Our olive oil business is based on supplying top end restaurants. Many have either closed or cut back on ingredients and our largest UK olive oil customer sadly passed away.

"This year we have few olives and reluctantly decided not to pick them this month as our extra virgin olive oil would probably remain in our cantina for some time until our customer base can be redefined.”

Sandra, in her sixties, was the daughter of the late Arthur and Ada Laws. Arthur, a former telephone engineer, is still fondly remembered as one of the founders of Farringdon Social Club.

Greg and Sandra outside their home in Italy.Greg and Sandra outside their home in Italy.
Greg and Sandra outside their home in Italy.
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Later, she met a Business Studies undergraduate from Sunderland University (then Sunderland Polytechnic) and eventually married Greg.

Greg spent one year working at Haskel Energy Systems on North Hylton Road and then returned to complete his final university year. Sandra worked in Pallion for Bonas Machine Co eventually becoming responsible for shipping the firm’s looms throughout the world.

The couple moved to Lincolnshire where Sandra soon became employed using her legal skills.

Greg worked in sales and marketing and had the chance to visit Bologna and Milan on business. He took along Sandra and now they call it home.

Greg and Sandy Perry who live in Italy but whose background is in Sunderland.Greg and Sandy Perry who live in Italy but whose background is in Sunderland.
Greg and Sandy Perry who live in Italy but whose background is in Sunderland.
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Sandra added: “Here in the Region of Le Marche there is a curfew from 10pm to 5am and travel is at the moment still free but you are advised to remain at home or within your comune area.

"Bars, restaurants, pastry shops, ice cream parlours and clubs now have to close. Bars and restaurants can offer a take-away-service until 10 pm.

“Cinemas, theatres, museums and exhibition halls remain closed. Shopping centres are closed at weekends and during public holidays whilst pharmacies, groceries, tobacconists and newsstands remain open.

"Nursery, elementary and middle schools remain open with students having to wear masks and 100% distance learning is the norm for high schools.

Greg and Sandra shortly before they married.Greg and Sandra shortly before they married.
Greg and Sandra shortly before they married.
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Lombardy, Calabria, Campania and Tuscany are some of the red regions with a high number of positive cases.

Sandra added: “We are very cautious when we go out and choose very carefully the day, time and venue for shopping.

"Quieter times are the best, it was scary a couple of months ago in a local supermarket when some of the shoppers decided to pull their face masks down and not maintain their distance, I have had to use my shopping trolley on a number of occasions to keep other shoppers away when waiting at the check out.

"Our local supermarket automatically counts the shoppers and if the maximum number is exceeded the entrance gate is locked.

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"It is mandatory to wear face masks in shops, supermarkets and all public places but outside too at all times. Failure to do so can lead to a fine between 400 to 1000 euros."

Vaccination hopes for Italy

The couple's farmhouse view.The couple's farmhouse view.
The couple's farmhouse view.

"Appointments to visit our local doctor have to be made by telephone or text and normally it is the following day or day after to see our doctor. One of the secretaries checks you in, you complete a declaration that you have not had nor have any Covid-19 symptoms and your forehead temperature is checked.”

Italy has also seen a volunteer medical drive emerge and Sandra explained: “A recent nationwide appeal by the Protezione Civile (civil defence force) was for around 450 volunteer medical specialists to participate in a task force to help control Covid in Campania which is a red high risk area.

"Retired medical specialists were also invited to apply.”

But there is hope on the horizon.

“Italy has a number of different Covid vaccines and hopefully the first ones can be administered by the last week of January 2021 with its 60 million population eventually being covered.”

The couple bought an ancient stone farmhouse with olive groves in Le Marche in 2002.

Once Greg had finalised his teaching duties the couple moved to Italy in 2004, and have remained ever since.

After renovating most of the house themselves, they obtained approval from the Italian authorities to run it as a bed and breakfast and began welcoming guests in 2007 and soon afterwards also began exporting their olive oil.

When we first interviewed Sandra last year, she was asked what she missed most about Wearside.

Sandra said: “Sunderland Echo (family always bring us a copy), Binns department store, launchings of the SD14, stotty cakes, Milburns, Ibbotsons dips, fish and chips from Grasswell, Saltgrass, Ivy House and The Barnes just to name a few."

Sandra recalls in her younger years in Sunderland, after she received her weekly cash wage packet on Fridays, she would sometimes go to nightclubs; La Strada (Italian words which translate as The Street/Road); Wetherills; The Rink (re-named The Fusion) and The Mecca - sneaking home by catching the 4am miners’ bus that stopped at Park Lane so she and friends did not have to do the walk home.

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