Sanctuary staffer in limbo
Party for retirement is delayed
STAFF at Kuranda’s Australian Butterfly Sanctuary have a nervous wait ahead as one of their own awaits evacuation from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Long-time Sanctuary employee Carolyne Gregg, 67, was quarantined aboard the vessel with 200 other Australians in Yokohama after one passenger tested positive for novel coronavirus more than two weeks ago.
As of last night, Ms Gregg still did not know whether she would be cleared for travel back to Australia today.
“Monday would have been her retirement party,” sanctuary manager Mel Nikolich said. “She has been here for 26and-a-half years.”
If her tests for COVID19 have come back negative, Ms Gregg is likely to be among passengers evacuated to Darwin.
“She is OK; she has packed a bag and is hoping to be evacuated,” Ms Nikolich said. “She was swabbed a few days ago with her husband. They have shown no signs of infection.
“If cleared, Ms Gregg is expected to arrive in Darwin tonight or tomorrow morning.
“She was lucky to have a balcony room aboard the ship.
“Her spirits have been pretty good.
“She said we have found out more information about the ship than they have and they are on board. She is friends with (Palm Cove resident) Paul Fidrmuc and only found out through the media when he tested positive.”
Mr Fidrmuc has been quarantined in a Japanese hospital after he tested positive. His wife, Jacqueline Fidrmuc, will potentially spend longer in quarantine if she is evacuated to Darwin and held there for two further weeks.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the first test would be on the ship, followed by two on the evacuation flight.
A fourth test would be taken after landing at the Darwin military base and the fifth and a final test at the Howard Springs facility.