A Launceston based nurse who travelled to the Philippines for the birth of his daughter is hoping to return to Australia later this week.
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Peter Smith became stuck after domestic and international travelled bans were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Coronavirus: All the latest updates on COVID-19 for Tasmania
He said he had planned to return at the end of May but due to quarantine restrictions on returning travellers in Australia he is now trying to return home sooner.
He is hoping a to get a seat on a flight home on Saturday.
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"I received an email [Friday] saying that Philippine Airlines has organised repatriation flights to Australia leaving next Saturday on the 18th," he said.
"The Australian Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been working hard to get things organised."
At this stage he isn't sure whether he will be able to get on the flight but said he needs to get back to Launceston to support his family.
"I have to get back to work to earn money," Mr Smith said.
"My savings are starting to become smaller and smaller."
Mr Smith is a theatre nurse at the Launceston General Hospital and said he is scheduled to start work in June.
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"Getting back at this time allows me to fulfil what will essentially be 28 days quarantine," he said.
"I have 14 days when I get back to Melbourne and then when I get back to Tasmania I will have another 14."
He said if possible he would bring his family with him but it is unlikely he will be able to.
"It is a double edged thing, I am happy to get back so I can support them and make sure that they are ok but at the same time it is very hard with my daughter being as young as she is to tear myself away," Mr Smith said.
There have been 4,428 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines with 247 deaths.
Mr Smith said they were experiencing a similar lock down to people in Australia.
"The only travel that is permitted is for things like going to the chemist, going to the supermarket, going to work ... and for emergency situations," he said.
"I went to the supermarket the day before yesterday and the city was absolutely dead. Usually it is hustling and bustling, there is traffic everywhere and people everywhere, and it was just totally devoid."
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