Diana and Michael Hughes of Launceston were in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean when the world changed because of coronavirus.
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They were on the Antarctic Expedition ship Ocean Atlantic tracing the steps of explorer Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated 1914 voyage when South American countries began closing their borders.
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After finally making back to Australia on April 3 they are now facing 14 days in isolation in a Sydney hotel and a further 14 days when they get back to Tasmania.
"We were near South Georgia, just about to leave for the Falklands when our Captain informed us of a global crisis and saying that the world had changed," Mrs Hughes said.
"We were to head as quickly as possible to the South American continent and the aim was for the passengers to disembark and travel home as quickly as possible. "But the ship was forced to bypass numerous ports including the Falklands Islands, Ushuaia and Peurto Madryn in Argentina.
After five days sailing the ship anchored in the mouth of the Rio de la Plata hoping to disembark in Buenos Aires where a charter flight had been booked.
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"Plan A was aborted when Argentina closed its borders to foreigners," Mrs Hughes said.
"A number of other South American countries also suddenly closed their borders to foreigners and enforced rapid lock down in response to the pandemic.
Their situation became dire when commercial airlines ceased scheduled flights.
"We were left in limbo and the goal posts were moving hour by hour," she said.
"We were anchored for several days before moving closer to Montevideo, Uruguay, hoping we would have permission to disembark there."
"Our supplies were running out and in choppy seas, the desalination plant could not provide clean water.
Passengers had to ration water and food and vital commodities had to be sent from a vessel anchored nearby.
Mrs Hughes said strict isolation measures had been implemented on board by the expedition leader to ensure the healthy ship status.
"For a few days, we were confined to our cabins then we were allowed out onto the decks only," she said.
"Communal areas inside were out of bounds, social distancing put in place and meals were eaten in our cabins and the ship's doctor monitored everyone twice daily. "
"Emotions oscillated, people were miserable, people were scared and anxious."
"Supporting each other was essential and arranged on board activities to lift our spirits were beneficial.
"After five days at anchor, we were allowed to dock in the Montevideo port to receive fuel and vital supplies.
What followed was 12 days of frustration and fear as repeated scheduled flights from Uruguay were cancelled.
The Uruguayan government opened a humanitarian corridor from the port to the airport and a charter flight for Australians and Kiwis was arranged for March 30.
"But then the charter flight was also aborted when an expedition ship MV Greg Mortimer with 100 Australians earmarked for the charter flight was denied entry to the port," she said.
"Our hopes were dashed once more. By now, plan D had failed."
Eventually the couple flew out of Montevideo to Sydney on April Fools Day.
"We are back in Australia. We are lucky. We just have to be in quarantine, confined to a hotel room for 28 days, in two states, that's all. It will be beneficial although frustrating and extremely boring," she said.
She said her thoughts were with the people on the Greg Mortimer.
"They are in dire straits and their immediate future is uncertain," she said.
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