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Repatriation Flights Will Bring Thousands Of Stranded Aussies Home

A new repatriation deal is set to bring thousands more Aussies who have been stuck overseas for a number of months home via a Northern Territory quarantine camp.

A new repatriation deal is set to bring thousands more Aussies who have been stuck overseas for a number of months home via a Northern Territory quarantine camp.

Aussies stranded overseas could find themselves on repatriation flights as soon as next week, thanks to the federal government just inches away for securing a deal with a quarantine camp in Howard Springs, NT, that can hold around a thousand people a month.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to meet up with NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner for the final stages of the deal very soon.

What’s going on?

Australians LHR
The situation at London Heathrow

It is expected that the first repatriation flights will depart from London and India, prioritising people who are most vulnerable.

According to DFAT figures, more than 29,000 Australians are stranded overseas, wanting to return – with estimates that that figure is more realistically to be around 100,000.

The reason the numbers are so high is because there are far less international flights in the skies, extremely high ticket prices and less passengers allowed into the country due to airline caps – put in place to ensure quarantine hotels could cope with the arrivals.

After the announcement of the airline cap increase last month, an additional 2,000 Australians have been allowed to return per week, and if the NT camp deal is passed, this figure will rise even more. 

It is likely that Qantas will run some of the repatriation flights and tickets will be released once all the details are finalised.

According to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, On Tuesday, Mr. Morrison said the government was “moving heaven and earth” to bring people back.

Where will the passengers be staying?

Repatriation

The repatriated passenegers will be heading to Manigurr-ma mining camp in Howard Springs for their two week international quarantine.

The camp was used as a quarantine centre for Australians evacuated from China earlier this year and has since housed fruit pickers from the South Pacific.

Google reviewers are saying is “the best place to quarantine in Australia”, where you can get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

“Great place to spend 14 days quarantine, the staff and POs are all absolute legends who blend professionalism and understanding to make forced containment a decent experience. Thanks for keeping Darwin safe and us sane!”

Kevin, Google reviewer

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