“It’s so weird”: Two Northampton women quarantined alone in separate Saigon hotel rooms

Two women from Northampton who were supposed to be enjoying a holiday in Saigon have been quarantined in separate hotel rooms due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Wendy Rodgers and Karen Voller flew to Vietnam on March 9 as part of a solo traveller trip that was meant to last for nine days.

But the women who both work for EMW Law only managed to enjoy a few days of their holiday before they were quarantined alone in separate hotel rooms.

Wendy, who is from Hardingstone, said: “One of the crew members on our flight was diagnosed with coronavirus so they had to track us all down and quarantine us all for 14 days.

“I’ve been in my hotel room since last Friday night (March 13).

“It’s so weird, it’s like being in solitary confinement.”

The holiday was supposed to end yesterday (March 18), but Wendy says they will not be allowed to leave their hotel rooms until 14 days after the initial flight with the crew member who was later diagnosed with the virus.

“We don’t understand what is going on, as the trip company is saying we have to find our own flights,” Wendy added.

“We don’t know how or when we will be able to get home. It’s chaotic.

“I’m on my own. There are nine of us as part of the solo travel group, but we’re all quarantines in our own room. We can’t see each other.

“It’s a strange feeling being isolated, especially because it’s 35C here and we can’t get out for any vitamin D.”

While in quarantine, staff at the hotel are allowed to bring food into the rooms, as long as masks are worn and residents stand back.

Wendy, who works as a paralegal, said: “We can’t order anything from outside of the hotel, other than prescriptions.

“But the staff here are really amazing and they are looking after us very well.

“They’re lovely, so kind and they do everything they can.”

In her room, Wendy is trying to keep herself amused with the TV, her books and FaceTiming her rescue dog Tula who is being looked after by friends, as are Wendy’s three cats.

“She was so confused when I FaceTimed her, but it’s so cute. I can’t wait to get back to see her,” Wendy added.

“I was also really pleased when my pilates teacher, Diane, called through Facebook messenger and did a session with me.

“It meant I got some exercise and it really helped me to keep my spirits up.”

Wendy’s neighbours back in Hardingstone are also rallying round to help her, by making sure she has food and essentials to come back to.

Although they are not yet sure how to get home, Wendy and Karen hope to be out of quarantine by Tuesday (March 24).