Stranded in Peru
A group of around 60 Irish citizens are stuck on lockdown in Peru with no idea if they'll be able to make it home.
The South American country closed it's borders on March 16th.
It has also imposed a curfew in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.
A flight costing €2,800 had been arranged for stranded travellers but restrictions in the country have left the plan in limbo.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has appealed to a group of Irish citizen stranded in lockdown in Peru to stay calm and patient.
TRAVEL ADVICE PERU: We’re aware of announcement of Peruvian authorities in relation to int. commercial travel. Please be assured that we are working with partners to find the best solutions to get our Irish citizens home. Stay calm & patient & we’ll update people when we can.
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) March 21, 2020
Lorna Moore is a vet from Co Offaly who is in the country with her boyfriend, who is from Co Derry.
The pair had been backpacking around central and South America for the past month and a half.
She says : "We are feeling neglected by Irish Government. Everyday the lock down is getting more severe."
"The local people here are blaming us for bringing COVID-19 to their country and tensions are rising."
"We feel like the embassy is waiting around for another European country to repatriate their citizens and hoping they will allow us onto their planes."
"They are advertising to us overpriced airlines that have no guarantee to actually getting us home safely."
"We could be stranded in Peru for months and are very anxious."
They are communicating with other Irish people in Peru through a WhatsApp group.
