Young Chesterfield woman stranded in Peru amid coronavirus lockdown

A young Chesterfield woman was among thousands of Britons stranded in Peru after the country went into lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Tim Paget
By Tim Paget
Published 23rd Mar 2020, 11:45 BST
Updated 23rd Mar 2020, 15:22 BST
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Around 400 UK nationals are stuck in the South American country after it closed its borders and stopped all flights as the crisis continues to deepen.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab secured permission for a UK flight to leave Peru on Sunday and further flights are now expected later in the week.

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Stevie Chandler is among the people hoping to be onboard one of these flights after she was trapped while enjoying a holiday in South America.

Stevie Chandler, left, with her friend Tess on their trip to South America before the coronavirus crisis spiralled.Stevie Chandler, left, with her friend Tess on their trip to South America before the coronavirus crisis spiralled.
Stevie Chandler, left, with her friend Tess on their trip to South America before the coronavirus crisis spiralled.

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“We are worried as we are not receiving any concrete updates and it’s leading to a lot of low morale and fear spreading,” Stevie said.

“Hostel lockdown rules are getting more strict; we aren’t allowed in the outside area in groups bigger than three, we have to be one-metre apart at all times and now we aren’t even allowed to go to the shops for food until the middle of next week.

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“The Army are flying drones over the hostel to check on what we are doing. We have also had the police raid the hostel nearly every night and when this happens, we are shut in our rooms until they leave.”

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Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins wrote to the Foreign Office last week after hearing of Stevie's plight to demand that the Government repatriates all British citizens immediately.

A commercial carrier had offered to arrange a flight but was charging £2,570 – £3,000, which is almost 10 times the normal price.

The Israeli and German Governments immediately committed to funding the repatriation of their citizens – but British citizens were initially told that they would have to pay for their own flights.

Mr Perkins said: “I am pleased that Stevie and the other Brits trapped in Peru will now be brought home, but the Government should have reacted sooner to reassure them. The situation in Peru sounds potentially volatile and Stevie was clearly very scared.

“The British Embassy was closed last week so our citizens could not even get hold of any one for advice or support.”

Related topics:ChesterfieldDominic Raab