Pandemic leaves couples stranded in Peru
AT LEAST four Townsville residents, including a well-respected GP, are among hundreds of Australians stuck in the South American nation of Peru and they are begging the Federal Government to move quickly.
Townsville residents Dr Francisco Munoz, his wife Lida, and couple Chris and Val Kerr, are among about 350 Australians stranded across cities in Peru, which declared a state of emergency on March 15 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Peru’s state of emergency is set to end on March 31, but there is an expectation it will be extended. It has said it will not facilitate the repatriation of foreign citizens.
Robin Kerr, son of Chris and Val, said he was increasingly worried about his mother’s wellbeing, as she had multiple medical ailments that required prescription medication and had only been able to secure a week’s supply at a cost of $750.
Australians in the same predicament are rallying on social media to provide information, but relatives of those stranded are frustrated that citizens have been made to wait more than a week to be evacuated.
Israelis and Mexicans have already been evacuated by their governments, and the Peruvian government has announced it will spend $50 million to repatriate its citizens from across the globe.
Australian Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia Diana Nelson, in an update yesterday afternoon, said there were still options for aircraft to depart the country despite the closure of civilian airports.
Some Australians have paid more than $5000 for seats on a flight run by travel agency Chimu Adventures, but Robin Kerr said there was no way for his parents to get from Cusco to the capital Lima, and there was no guarantee the flight would be able to depart.
Dr Munoz, better known as Paco, is the principal GP at Rosslea Medical Centre, while his wife is a clinical nurse in the aged care sector.
“I know he’s going to have to go into self-isolation … but he would make a big difference being here (during a pandemic), he would have a huge impact,” their daughter Heidi said.
Heidi, also a nurse, said getting on the charter flight was “first in, best dressed” and her parents, while they could afford it, were unable to secure a spot.
Ms Nelson said the embassy was working with the Peruvian government on ways to support Australians in Peru. Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, in her last update on the situation from Sunday morning, said Australia was working with its South American counterparts to help[ Australians to return.