Wigan couple share their experience of being separated by Covid-19

Gareth and Gemma Jones, from Top Lock, have barely been apart since the day they tied the knot at the DW Stadium around two and a half years ago.

However, for the past week and a half Gemma has been living in the Holiday Inn Express at Martland Mill when she is not contributing to the front line fight against Covid-19 in her role at Wigan Infirmary.

She was advised that due to her work and husband Gareth’s underlying health issues it would be best if she did not return to their home near Aspull after each shift.

Gareth, 38, heaped praise on the borough’s key workers and volunteers who are working to help residents.

He said: “Gemma normally looks after me a bit as I’m not well myself, and because of that the NHS said it would be better if she stays away from me while this is going on.

“I’m bored stupid and she’s bored stupid but we’re both still well and that’s the main thing.

“I’m so proud of her and everything she does and so proud of our NHS here in Wigan. This town has stood up strong.

“The NHS has been brilliant sorting everything out, they’ve done really well. When you really need the NHS workers, they are there.

“It’s strange being apart but it’s for the safety of both of us really. I’ve had people looking after me, ringing up every day to make sure I’m alright.

“I’m watching the news constantly and waiting to see when this is going to end.”

The couple initially met on Facebook and got married around 18 months after their first date.

Gareth says some of his time is currently being taken up by looking after the couple’s dogs while Gemma is staying in the hotel.

He praised the Holiday Inn Express located in the former Wigan Observer offices on Martland Mill Lane for opening its doors to NHS workers who would be putting themselves and others at risk returning home each night.

He also urged Wiganers to continue observing the lockdown and social distancing guidelines to help slow the spread of coronavirus and prevent the NHS becoming overwhelmed with too many cases to treat.

He said: “People need to try to stay in. It’s not hard. It’s boring but they need to do it.

“I’m quite worried by how many people I sometimes see on the canal.

“I have to leave it until the sun is going down and then go out with the dogs.

“The hotel has been brilliant. I’ve been arranging clothes and food to be dropped off for her but she’s not really needed that much, they’ve been providing meals for them for free.

“It’s really good to see, it makes you feel better when you know companies are doing that.”

Gareth said he was also impressed by the borough’s army of grass-roots volunteers and their recently-founded organisations and has received support from elected ward representative Coun Chris Ready, who himself praised Gareth and Gemma’s selflessness.

Coun Ready said: “Gareth and Gemma have never been apart really except now, but she is staying away from home to keep her husband and other people safe by being able to carry on working.

“Like many other people in the NHS there’s a personal sacrifice being made.”

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