Love in lockdown: How to keep the sparks flying during Covid

Yes, you can now visit your partner during lockdown – but experts have tips on how stay-at-home rules can actually improve the bond between couples.

The state’s revised home visit rules should ease the strain on relationships during lockdown but experts say the tough restrictions can actually improve bonds between couples.

SA Police announced changes to the tough stay-at-home restrictions late on Wednesday, allowing people over the age of 16 who are living alone to visit a friend, relative, support person or intimate partner at their house, as long as they are alone or have only children in the home.

Previously, couples who did not live together were unable to see each other for the duration of the seven-day lockdown.

Police Commissioner and state emergency co-ordinator Grant Stevens admitted the previous rules were “not probably clear enough or accommodating” for those in a long-term relationship but living in separate homes.

Relationships Australia SA’s Janet Muirhead said couples who are still kept apart because of distance or quarantine issues should use the time to add a “new dimension” to their relationship.

“People get very busy and couples often complain they’re like ‘ships in the night’, they’re so busy with children, jobs … that they don’t actually get to sit down together,” she said.

“This is an opportunity to make time for that. Maybe there some issues in your relationship, and maybe every second video chat could be talking about one … of the issues that you’re not talking about.”

Ms Muirhead, practice manager, relationship counselling, also encouraged lovers to keep the sparks alive by sharing “sexy moments” via technology.

“Obviously being physical together is not possible but I think you can use video to share sexy moments or flirty moments with each other or create some erotic fiction for each other. You can use your imagination,” she said.

“As we know, if you’re struggling with issues in the bedroom, it’s always better to talk about them outside of the bedroom.”

University of SA’s Professor Nicholas Procter said it was important couples adjust to the difficult situation, as he warned relationships would change during lockdown.

“This is a virus that exploits and hijacks the very things that humans love to do – we love to kiss and embrace, to be with each other,” said Prof Procter, UniSA’s director of mental health and suicide prevention research.

“When we can’t do that, we naturally feel out of sorts. We need time to adjust to the new situation. Be patient. Lockdown isn’t going to be forever and we’ll be back together.”

Premier Steven Marshall said the home visit rules were changed as authorities were “very concerned” about the mental health and wellbeing of people in lockdown.

“That’s why within the direction that’s been put in place by the state co-ordinator, there is sensible movement in terms of providing care or compassion,” he said.