A QUEENSLAND couple have been reunited with family after being stranded in Quito, Ecuador's capital after a freeze on international travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last month Kate Ferguson was desperately trying to get her daughter Meagan Thomson and fiance Adam Douglas home from South America as they are both doctors and are needed on the Sunshine Coast.
Ms Ferguson said they finally arrived home on Friday morning.
"It was a bit of an epic flight from Quito to Miami to Houston to LA and home to Brisbane.
"I think their insurance company helped them in the end. Luckily they had been to Canada earlier in the trip so had the ESTA that was needed to get them through America. I'm sure all the avenues we were all trying, helped in getting them home in the end," she said.
MARCH 24
IT'S a mother's worst nightmare. Kate Ferguson's daughter is stranded in Ecuador as borders close across the world.
The Thorneside mother is desperately trying to find a way home for her daughter, Meagan Thomson and her fiance, Adam Douglas.
The couple suddenly found themselves in limbo in Quito, Ecuador's capital after a freeze on international travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Thomson, a former class captain at Wellington Point High School, and Mr Douglas are both doctors on the Sunshine Coast and were on a eight-week holiday when borders were locked down.
"They flew to Quito from the Galapagos Islands last Sunday. They arrived at 6.30pm and borders shut at 9pm. They are currently staying in a airport hotel and are about 45 minutes out of the city so there are no shops nearby," Ms Ferguson said.
Ms Ferguson said the pair had permission to leave Equador and can get a flight to another major airport in South America, however it is the flight back to Australia that is posing a problem.
"The flights are very expensive but my daughter is willing to pay the price to get home. They have had no joy with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who directed them to the smart traveler website," she said.
Flights out of South America have been restricted and there is no guarantee the couple can get a flight home to Australia.
Ms Ferguson is calling on local MPs or anyone who can help in any way to get her daughter back home.
"I just feel so useless from here. We need them in the hospital not a hotel room," she said.
Angela Kelly
Redland City Bulletin senior journalist covering politics, community issues and human interest stories. South African living the dream in Australia.
Redland City Bulletin senior journalist covering politics, community issues and human interest stories. South African living the dream in Australia.
