For the better part of a year, overseas travel has been endless for Australians.
The COVID-19 pandemic has limited international travel to those who only have the most important causes – including those who need to care for growing relatives. that’s all.
That’s why Ann Dixon-Short left for the UK last July.
Her mother, now 100, had fallen down a flight of stairs, which sent her to hospital.
Ms Dixon-Short, who lives in Riverland in South Australia, went to the UK as her mother’s health was deteriorating.
For six months she has been in Hertfordshire, caring for her mother, who is now looking to move into a retirement home.
Ann has been convinced by her mother to return to Australia.
But there are restrictions on international entrants in addition to the growing problem with airlines canceling flights left in a state of limbo.
“My flight was back for January 15, that was canceled … I’ve canceled about four shows,” she told ABC News.
“My mum has gone down a lot and mentioned going into a nursing home.
“If I can’t fly home I don’t know if I’ll be homeless over here if the flat is sold to pay the taxes.”
The reality for South Australia is turbulent, with daily uncertainty about its future.
As she stays strong for her mother, she says the pressure of the situation is mounting.
“I have feelings of anxiety, loneliness, stress, fatigue, pain, anxiety and I’m a little angry,” she said.
“I don’t have much money left every fortnight from my pension, so I’m broke and have no idea how to pay for quarantine.”
Despite the anxiety and hardship she is going through, Ms Dixon-Short says she believes the Federal Government is doing what it can for people like her.
However, she told the ABC that she understood that things could be difficult when she left the UK: “My beautiful mother is my priority”.
“There are good reasons to close the borders and it is working well,” she said.
“I think the Government has done the best it can under these times of dispersal – it’s a learning experience.
“My heart goes out to all the other Australians who have been trying to get home, at least I have food to eat and a roof over my head – at least for now . “
There are around 37,000 Australians who have registered with the Government to return home.
While nearly 80,000 have returned to Australia’s shores, the number of arrivals was limited after the allowances were introduced following a National Cabinet meeting in January.
Variable strains of the virus, which were common in the UK and South Africa, caused incoming doses to fall.
This has led to a scramble for the few seats available on flights home to Australia.
Caps will remain in place until at least February 15th.