Aaron Maynard (31) and Jess Phipps (32) – both teachers in the Thai coastal town of Hua Hin – tied the knot on 9 April but they were unable to celebrate the special occasion with loved ones due to international travel restrictions brought on by Covid-19.
Thailand’s government has not imposed a nationwide lockdown but residents are not permitted to leave their homes during set periods. They must wear face masks when outside and visits to supermarkets come with the caveat of having your temperature taken.
Mr Maynard, who taught at Grainville School before moving to Southampton and then on to Asia, said: ‘We have been planning our wedding for two years and were supposed to have 100 family and friends join us from the UK and Australia, but unfortunately they weren’t able to travel.
‘Instead, we had a very small ceremony on the beach. It was beautiful, but of course our loved ones were missed. We have postponed the wedding party until next year, when we will have a blessing and hopefully celebrate with them there.’
Describing life in Thailand during a global pandemic, Mr Maynard – head of PE at Hua Hin International School – said: ‘Hua Hin is normally a bustling tourist town with our busiest season running from January to April. It is eerily quiet at the moment.
‘Our shopping centres, hotels, restaurants and many small businesses are closed, including the night markets which are normally packed with families eating out.
‘Although we are not in complete lockdown, we are social-distancing, there is a curfew from 10pm to 4am and face masks must be worn while out of the house. The response from the general public has been positive and lots of charitable acts are happening – including food banks and donation drives to help those struggling financially.’
He added: ‘I’m not too worried for my own safety. When I do need to visit the shops, we have our temperature checked and are given hand sanitiser.
‘In Hua Hin, there are three hospitals and there have been 15 cases of Covid, so our hospital staff are not as under as much pressure as the NHS or health workers in Jersey.’
Mr Maynard and his new wife – an early-years teacher – are due to return to Jersey this summer, before departing for their honeymoon.
‘We are due to fly home to see family and attend two weddings, before heading to the USA for our honeymoon,’ he said. ‘But we aren’t sure if we will be able to travel.’
