The Forty-sixth Day: 7 May 2020 (206,715 confirmed infected, 30,615 died, in total)

"The UK could ‘get going’ with easing some lockdown measures from Monday, Boris Johnson has signalled." – Sky News

The Prime Minister said that he would announce new lockdown policies on Sunday, so that new rules can apply from next Monday. The situation seemed to be continuously improving. This made me a little bit easier when I stepped out of our apartment, where we had been living under the lockdown rules for totally 46 days. It was already the fourth day of the seventh week of lockdown. Tonight, there would be the seventh “Clap for Carers”. Time flied faster than normal days.

Yet parting moment could still be very hard. Dan printed out a photo of us and hung it on his toy tree in the living room. This would be the only “family” stayed with Sonne for the coming days. How many days? No one knows…

Sonne drove us to the Heathrow Airport. She did not weep again during the ride.

7 May 2020: Social distancing notices can be seen everywhere in the Heathrow Airport.

There was only one check-in counter opened on the entire departure level. Airline staff confirmed that Dan and I could have seats on this flight.

7 May 2020: Lonely and still check-in counters at Heathrow Terminal 2.

No queues, no waiting, and hardly could other passengers be spotted, we soon arrived at the point where Sonne could not enter any more. We hugged each other, not needing to say any more words. Be it days, weeks, or months, I believe the world will return to normal; the lock-down tale will have a happy ending.

7 May 2020: The “ghost town” alike terminal building. One had never imagined the crowd surging Terminal 2 could one day become totally empty during its normal business hours.

Dan and I passed the security check and moved through the empty shopping arcade and waiting area. No one was at the boarding gate. No guiding staff. Only signposts. We saw nobody else after the security check, until we got on board.

7 May 2020: A well-protected cabin attendant sitting in her seat, waiting for take-off.

The cabin crew were all in their personal protective equipment, from head to toe. There was a bag of packaged food and drinks on each seat. During the flight there would not be other catering service.

7 May 2020: There is no way to keep distance in the cabin. Some passengers chose to put on goggles and protective gowns for the whole trip, just like the cabin attendants did.

Engines started to rumble. Wheels would soon leave this piece of land.

Tomorrow is the Victory in Europe Day. 75 years ago, in this city, people celebrated the victory of the biggest ever war in human history. Now they must win another war. And they will.

Next time when my landing gear touch down on this piece of land again, I believe there will not be lockdown anymore.

Fare well, this locked-down city. See you, a vigorous London.