Thread by @myldn

MyLondon spoke to some Australians in London about what their plans are for Christmas now Australia has opened international borders 🧵⬇

bit.ly/3DfFtOD

Due to the pandemic, tens of thousands of Australians have been stranded overseas for nearly three years.

🌏Australia imposed some of the strictest restrictions against Coronavirus, but on the 1st of November opened its borders.

🌏Vaccinated residents were allowed to return to the states that allowed arrivals.

🌏Certain states also allow you to isolate at home.

Issy Mainwaring, 24, is a consultant in London. She hasn't seen her family in two years but is from Noosa, Queensland. For her, being able to return and see her family is still a way away.

"What I find so heartbreaking is that so many of us have done the right thing. There are so many Aussies who have racked up debts trying to get back."

"To have all the other states allow people to come home for Christmas and be told that I can't."

"I haven't seen my family in two years or if they are even allowed out. My friends in Sydney can fly here (London) for Christmas and back but my family can't leave Queensland."

"It would be overwhelming to see them. I would be so happy to see their faces and feel my dads hug."

Georgina Neal is on the other side of the equation.

She is a broker who came to London at 22 and now, 25, she gets to return to Sydney in a few weeks.

She said: "I was going to go back for Christmas regardless. But I would have had to hotel quarantine and spend two weeks alone in a hotel."

"Now, I don't need to and I get an extra two weeks with my family. I'm so excited."

"I never thought it would be this long without seeing my family and friends."

"So when I get to the airport in Sydney. I can see it being a Love Actually moment."

"I drop my bags and run straight to my parents."

Laura Burns has been in London for seven years.
Her family in Switzerland are heading back to Australia in early December so that they can quarantine for two weeks before Christmas.

If Laura went home her family would have to vacate her family home for two weeks.

"I've missed birthdays, new nieces and nephews, school reunions and sadly my aunty passed away a few months ago. This Christmas my entire family is coming together and I’m the only one that’s not able to be there. It’s not just upsetting – it’s devastating, and incomprehensible."