There are a handful of countries across the globe – many of them islands, most of them remote – that have managed to escape the pandemic. In the distant archipelago of the Cook Islands, coronavirus has been a spectre that never emerged from the shadows. In the early months of the outbreak, schools were closed on Rarotonga - the most populous island - and social distancing encouraged in public places. Relaxed after a handful of weeks, the measures were the closest the Cooks would get to experiencing living with the virus. But being isolated for the duration of the pandemic has made Decherong anxious to “get off the rock” when he can.

Source: The Guardian January 06, 2021 00:44 UTC