Stranded: our dream trip has become a nightmare
COUPLE TOLD TO ‘STAY PUT OR GET OUT’ BY PHILIPPINES HOTEL
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THE coronavirus crisis has left a Huddersfield couple stuck on the other side of the world and alone in a hotel that wants them to leave.
They have spoken of their fear of being left on the streets after apparently being unable to get help from the UK authorities.
Georgina Lodge, 27 and her partner James Hepworth, 28, were in the El Nido area of Palawan Island in the Philippines when all flights off the island were cancelled.
They contacted the UK Embassy four days ago looking for help but have heard nothing back.
It comes as all UK citizens who are currently abroad were advised to head home as soon as possible – or they may not be able to get home at all.
Georgina, who hails from Lindley, said the quarantine was now tightening and they had been told they can’t leave the hotel, even to get food.
She said: “We have been told ‘if we don’t like it we can go to another hotel.’ Obviously this won’t be possible as the law bans hotels from taking new guests at the moment.
“We have made contact with the embassy who have given us details for the tourism office of the Philippines.
“We passed on our details and awaited news on a potential flight to the mainland. This was four days ago and today we heard from the tourism office that no more flights are scheduled to leave Palawan to an international airport, meaning we are essentially stuck on the Palawan island, unable to leave the hotel and with no idea for how long.
“We are becoming worried regarding our relationship with our hotel as we hear other tourists have been told to leave with nowhere to go. We feel increasingly uncomfortable and are seeking urgent assistance to leave.
“Countries such as Germany, France, Canada and the Czech Republic have organised humanitarian flights for their citizens but where is the help from the UK? Sadly elusive.”
James, from Elland, added: “We’re reliant on untrustworthy snippets of information at the moment.”
The Examiner approached the Foreign Office on the couple’s behalf.
A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) told us it had teams around the world working urgently to ensure that governments had sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers.
They added: “We recognise that any British people currently overseas may be nervous about the impact of coronavirus on their travel and their health.
“We are in close contact with travel providers and our international partners to provide support to those British people affected by ongoing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
The FCO said it was working to keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable returns to take place on commercial flights, wherever possible.
The Government is also working with airlines to ensure as many people as possible can get commercial flights home.
It advised anyone stuck overseas to read and follow the FCO travel advice and the advice of the local authorities and to contact their airline, tour operator and travel insurer.