What it’s like to already be living in isolation in Antarctica, the only continent free from coronavirus

Sadie Whitelocks speaks to the Swedish chef spending most of her waking hours indoors, holed up in one of the most remote corners of the globe

The base at Queen Maud Land in Antarctica (Photos Karin Jansdotter)

Reading, playing the harmonica, yoga and “meditation for sanity” – these are just some of the ways Karin Jansdotter from Sweden keeps herself busy while living in isolation.

The skilled 34-year-old chef isn’t dealing with the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, but rather, with remote living at the Norwegian Troll research base on Queen Maud Land in Antarctica, the only continent not to be hit by the pandemic.

She has been based at the snowy camp, where the annual temperature averages –25C, since November, with just five other people who are enrolled on a one-year contract.