Advertisement
Coronavirus pandemic
Hong KongHealth & Environment

Coronavirus: Hongkongers stuck in Peru to fly home this week

  • Residents have waited weeks for the city government to arrange a chartered flight back home
  • But they will have to get to Lima first, which could be difficult given the nationwide curbs on movement

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
An empty highway in Lima, the capital of Peru, after authorities ordered curbs on travel. Photo: EPA
Elizabeth CheungandChristy Leung

Hong Kong residents stranded for weeks in locked-down Peru will finally be able to return home after the city’s government arranged a charted flight to depart on Friday.

The South American country shut its border on March 16 to curb the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak, making movement in and out of the country almost impossible.

The Hong Kong Immigration Department has received requests for assistance from 91 Hongkongers in Peru, including about 30 tour group members.

The city government said on Tuesday the chartered plane would take residents from Lima to London, where they would board other flights back to Hong Kong. The travellers would have to pay for the journey themselves.

Deserted streets in Lima. Peru has recorded 950 coronavirus infections and 18 related deaths. Photo: EPA
Deserted streets in Lima. Peru has recorded 950 coronavirus infections and 18 related deaths. Photo: EPA

A government source said British Airways would be involved in the operation. “British Airways will send a flight to Peru to take Hongkongers to London,” the source said. “The airline will also reserve seats for these registered residents to fly home via London.”

Advertisement