Covid: Australia, 8 special flights landed for 5,000 repatriations

(ANSA) - SYDNEY, OCTOBER 23 - The first special repatriation flight from London of 161 Australians blocked abroad by the Covid-19 pandemic landed today in Darwin, in the north of Australia.

The charter flight, which took off from Heathrow, is the first eighth entrusted to Qantas, four from London and four from India, for a total of about 5000 passengers.

Repatriated Australians from Darwingli are transferred to the nearby Howard Springs Quarantine Center where they will spend the mandatory 14 days.

    Passengers had to pass a Covid-19 test before the flight and pay a flat rate of AU $ 2150 (€ 1300) for an economy seat, while accommodation in Howard Springs costs $ 2500 (€ 1500) per person and $ 5000 for family.

Many of the passengers, identified as vulnerable by the Australian High Commission in London, have been trying to return home since the lockdown imposed in Britain in March.

There are still over 30,000 Australians stranded abroad who want to return home.

    Unlike the hotel quarantine for those arriving from overseas, where 'guests' have to forgo the outdoors and physical activity, residents in Howard Springs can drive downtown and even swim in the pool.

   At the start of the pandemic in February, the center was used to house Australians evacuated from Wuhan.

(HANDLE).