Getting back was not straightforward. By the time details of available flights arrived by email they had generally sold out, so it took persistence, refreshing her computer every 20 minutes on the LOT website. But, once on board, the airline staff were helpful, and back home even the local police have been supportive, she said.

“My identity is complex, I was born and bred in Britain but I am tied to both places and have roots in both places,” said Ms. Nowobilska.

British health care was also a concern, she said. While there are “great doctors” in Britain, she felt that the overall standard of health care was better in Poland. “On the flight back the majority of people were saying they feel safer in Poland,” she recalled.

Now in quarantine at home, Ms. Nowobilska feels that she made the right decision. “My friends in England were laughing at Poland for overreacting,” she said. “But Poland went straight into action, and who’s laughing now?”