Current world issue playing mental gymnastics on us

I met this guy at the end of 2019 on a dating app. He was visiting my country because he has relatives there. It was really great. We got along so well and laughed so hard together throughout the evening. As he was returning to the UK, i did not think this will really lead anywhere. However, he kept in touch either through calls or messages everyday. We would talk about deep issues and also silly topics. It was so easy to talk to him. He said he wanted to see me again in person and planned to visit in April. However flights were cancelled and borders closed and so he couldn’t come. In July, the borders got opened for people who met certain requirements and he drove 2 days to come see me. It was very effortless and comfortable again and attraction still clearly there. He stayed with his folks for 3 weeks and came to see me almost every other day. We would just hang out and once we made out (no sex). He said he wanted to respect my boundaries. He returned back to the UK and decided that he was going to move to my country and take up a job here. Unfortunately, the offer got cancelled because of the pandemic. We made plans to travel together during Christmas but UK got the second variant and all flights were cancelled. Then, he planned to come again in February but it seems like the lockdown might continue. Now, he is beginning to wonder if all this is some sort of sign that we should give up and it is stressing us both out. BTW, we haven’t made the relationship official because we both said we didn’t want to do long distance and he offered to move cos it was easier for him to get a job here. We have both said we like each other. Once, he was slightly tipsy and blurted out that he loves me. I am wondering what to do in this situation because for the first time in my life, i have met someone i feel truly connected with who respects me, shares my values and isn’t interested in playing games. We are both 37 with no family obligations. How do we deal with the mental stress the pandemic is imposing on us?