Sibghat Ullah Mohammadi's wife is on a student visa in Australia and he had been waiting for his visa for the last four months.
His wait finally ended in the first week of March when his student dependent visa came through and Mr Mohammadi booked his flight ticket for 17th March. But, he says, when he was on his way to the airport, his flight was cancelled.
"After I got the visa, I booked a flight ticket for 17 March to Sydney from Sialkot international airport. On that day, I left for the airport but halfway from my home I was told that the airport is closed because of Coronavirus lockdown in Pakistan," he told SBS Urdu.
Key Points:
- Sibghat Ullah Mohammadi had to go from one airport in Pakistan to another before he could finally board a flight out of the country
- His connecting flight to Sydney from Doha wasn't certain, but he says he took a leap of faith
- During his fifteen hours wait at the Doha airport, several flights were cancelled. But Mr Mohammadi managed to catch a flight to Sydney and enter Australia just two hours before the borders closed
He booked his flight again, this time from Allama Iqbal Airport, Lahore for 18 March. This flight got cancelled too.
"I got a call from my travel agent just when I was about to leave my home, saying that my flight was cancelled because of the low number of passengers on the flight,” he said.
I got a call from my travel agent just when I was about to leave my home, saying that my flight was cancelled because of the low number of passengers on the flight
He again booked another flight ticket for the following day and this time from Islamabad international airport in the federal capital of Pakistan.
He travelled five hours to reach Islamabad airport. While on his way, he received numerous phone calls about border closures in the UK and Canada.
"When I reached the airport there was no one. I was not even certain whether any flight is leaving or not", he added.
"I was panicking because I was thinking that Australia could also shut the borders any time soon."
Berlin: The information board of Tegel Airport shows many cancelled flights, amid the Coronavirus global outbreak. Germany has introduced drastic restrictions o Source: AAP Image/Paul Zinken/dpa
At the airport, he came to know that the only confirmed flight was travelling via Doha but whether the connection from Doha would proceed, wasn't certain. He says he took a leap of faith and sat on the plane.
"Information desk at the Doha airport told me that the Sydney flight I board had been cancelled and they were also uncertain about what would happen next. I was told to wait over there."
He said while waiting at the airport he saw on the news that Australia was shutting the borders on 20 March and no flights will be entertained afterwards.
Source: Supplied
"I cannot express what I was feeling at the time. I had lost hope. I had only two options either to wait for a flight to Sydney or to go back home before Pakistan shuts down the borders," he said.
He says several flights were cancelled during his fifteen hours of wait at the Doha airport. He says he finally got lucky to find a flight to Sydney.
While on the flight to Australia, I was not sure whether I would be allowed to enter the country or they would send the flight back.
He reached Australia at 7 pm on Friday, just a couple of hours before the borders closed for all non-citizens and non-residents.
He says it was very tough to get through the situation but he is very happy to be reunited with his family in Australia.
Coronavirus symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia, according to the Federal Government's website. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.
If you develop symptoms within 14 days of returning from overseas or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, you should seek medical attention.
If you believe you may need to get tested, call your doctor or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
