Edinburgh traveller to stay in Australia despite FCO advice to fly home

A young Edinburgh traveller has opted to defy Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice and stay Down Under despite Britons being urged to head home.

Jade Duffy, 24, from Corstorphine said she she feared losing her visa – and the huge costs of flights back to the UK – as it had activated the day before she arrived in Australia.

She said: “I made the decision to stay in Australia and try to get some essential work as that’s the safest option at the moment. But even if I wanted to come home I have seen flights as high as £15,000 over the last few days.

“At the moment I am currently in a nice Airbnb in self isolation as I have just travelled internationally from New Zealand.

“I’ve only been in the country a week and so much has changed within that short period. I’ve tried to stay positive and have realised it’s out of my control. Even if I wanted to fly home I can’t leave this Airbnb until my 14 days of self isolation is up.

“Australia isn’t in complete lockdown at the moment but I think it’s definitely in the near future. Social distancing has been taken very seriously especially in the airports when flying here. The same message has been advised to stay home unless it’s essential.

“It is very worrying being so far away from home at a time like this, especially when I’m traveling on my own and don’t know anyone here. I thought I was making the right decision flying out here when I did to complete my farm work as this is the best time of year to complete that but as every other backpacker has lost their jobs it’s proving really difficult to find a job. I’m surviving on my savings.”