THE coronavirus pandemic has turned lives upside down and had a clear impact on relationships.

Contact with family is done via Zoom or FaceTime and chatting with neighbours happens from the safety of doorsteps, while many who are housebound must now spend every waking minute with their partner.

Susanna Taylor-Mills has been self-isolating with her husband Simon and their daughter Aaliyah, 17, since before the government measures were put in place.

They had to quarantine inside their home in Rodbourne for two weeks just before lockdown after Simon started showing coronavirus symptoms.

Susanna said: “He had mild symptoms – he had a fever, lost his sense of smell and was coughing, he has asthma so his cough was really bad. That lasted about five days but he’s better now.”

The couple have been married for four years and this is the most time they’ve spent together.

But when prime minister Boris Johnson announced the country would go into lockdown on March 23, unlike some, Susanna and Simon weren’t worried.

She said: “I didn’t have any concerns at all, for us it’s always non-stop laughter.

“We understand how each other works, it might be cliché to say but we know what the other is thinking and feeling.”

Their relationship sparked two years before they got married after they bumped into each other in town.

Susanna worked in Sainsbury’s and Simon at Argos when they arranged to go for coffee.

After dating, they went on a day trip to Bath and sat on a bench at Warleigh Weir eating chips when Simon proposed.

Little did they know six years down the line they would have to spend every moment of the day together. And work can’t be used as a distraction after Simon was put on furlough.

Susanna said: “My husband works in sanitation now for Mayflower Washroom Solutions and he’s been put on furlough for a month.

"Luckily I’m still working for Main Man Supplies and we sell PPE.”

The Adver asked readers on Facebook how their relationships are coping in lockdown.

Hannah Muller said: “After spending eight months apart due to military deployments, we are incredibly grateful for sharing time together even though we are still working.

"I urge people to not take time with loved ones for granted.”

And Phillip McDonough said: “It’s alright apart from my wife moaning for not cleaning up after myself, but will enjoy this time as much as we can whilst I just wish was under different circumstances.

"We’ve just got to stay safe and keep smiling, remember the older generation had to actual fight in the war all we’ve got to do is stay home and be switched on.”

While it seems people are getting along, Susanna has one piece of advice that she says has helped her relationship.

She said: “It’s important to just listen to each other, listen to what they have to say and how they feel.

"Most people sort of stop listening to your partner in situations like this and not really comprehend it. Be grateful that you have each other.”