Meet the digital nomads stranded in Asia because of the coronavirus

Asia is a popular destination for people who earn a living by working from anywhere in the world, thanks to good internet and cheap living costs

But many are now stuck following the Covid-19 outbreak, having to face new challenges such as extending their visas

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Jennifer Ryder Joslin and Stevo Joslin in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The teachers, who have been completely nomadic and working online for the past two years, are currently in Malaysia. Photo: Handout

Published: 11:00am, 6 Jul 2020Updated: 11:13am, 6 Jul 2020

Attracted by the low cost of living and good telecommunications, digital nomads, or people who earn a living by working remotely, have been flocking to Southeast Asia for years.

Many who have chosen this lifestyle say the advantages such as the change of scenery and freedom far outweigh any inconveniences like attending online meetings in different time zones.

But when borders started closing after the coronavirus outbreak, many travellers headed to the safety of their home countries. The five digital nomads we spoke to stayed where they were, and shared their experiences.

The nomads

Dutch translator Bram de la Selva (a pseudonym) works in five languages. He was on a 12-country trip when borders closed, and found himself stranded in Taiwan. “I had no idea it would be so disgustingly hot,” he said, but added that authorities have been accommodating.

Briton Tanya Korteling and her husband Andy have been travelling since 2016, and are currently based in Cambodia. She was in Sicily for a conference in March and “had to make a quick decision” to return to Siem Reap, which has gone “from a bustling tourist city to a ghost town”.

Briton Tanya Korteling, who is currently based in Cambodia. Photo: Handout