Anupama had never waited for something like this in her life.
When she migrated to Australia along with her husband Abhilash Balakrishnan in March from India, the young couple did not bring their son.
“We thought we could settle here first and bring him in a few weeks,” says Abhilash.
“I was planning to go back to India, but in a few days after we reached Sydney the borders were closed.”
Seven-year-old Advaith was staying with his grandparents in the southern Indian state of Kerala, with an aim to join his parents soon.
But it was a long wait.
At the end of June, Abhilash was able to fly back to India after securing an exemption from Australian Border Force.
Source: Supplied
“I was hopeful that with the case numbers going down in Australia, I would be able to come back with Advaith soon.”
But the second wave in Victoria shattered their hopes, like that of many other migrant families.
India to Australia, via America
While thousands of Australians stranded overseas struggle to find a way to reach home, a few families like that of Anupama and Abhilash went the extra mile - literally - to make it happen.
When the National Cabinet decided to put a cap on international arrivals and the Air India’s repatriation flights from India cancelled bookings to Australia, it seemed like an endless wait for them.
Anupama was alone in a small flat in Western Sydney all these months.
In a new country, where she had no friends or could not go out and meet anyone due to the COVID-19 restrictions, she was literally all alone.
Desperate about this uncertainty and separation, Abhilash decided to go the long way.
“I found out that United Airlines was flying between San Francisco and Sydney regularly. So, I started checking for tickets every day,” he said.
India has an air travel bubble arrangement with the US and flights are operating.
“I had a valid US visa from my previous trip, so did my son. So it was the best available option.”
They managed to get a ticket and fly to Sydney via San Francisco.
“We flew more than 25,000 kilometres. It took five days because we stayed in San Francisco for two days to catch our onward flight.
Source: Supplied
“Luckily there was no quarantine in the US. Not even a temperature check at the airport.”
Abhilash was one among many Australian Indians who were exploring alternate routes to get back home.
Another Australian stranded in south India for a few months told SBS Malayalam that he was trying to fly via Vancouver, Canada. Many others are also trying to fly via San Francisco.
To quarantine, in an ambulance
When they reached Sydney airport, Abhilash and Advaith knew it was still 14 days away before they could meet Anupama.
It seemed like years.
I went to NSW health authorities at the airport and checked if my wife could join us in the quarantine.
“We were paying for the hotel quarantine anyway, so why couldn’t she join? That was my thinking. But I was not sure if they would let us.”
After rejecting his request initially, the health officials gave an option.
“They said there was a health hotel, which was meant for aged people who needed support. If we stayed there, they said Anupama might be able to join.”
They agreed and had to go for a mandatory Covid-19 test for this.
Anupama was not allowed to travel on public transport to the quarantine hotel, so the health authorities agreed to send a vehicle.
“I was expecting a hotel car,” said Anupama.
“But around 10 in the night, an ambulance came to our flat and picked me up. The staff were in PPE kits, and I am sure our neighbours thought I had coronavirus.
“I was not able to stay alone when my family is so near, but in quarantine. So, nothing did matter. It was one of the happiest moment to be in that quarantine room.”
They have completed the mandatory quarantine period subsequently and are back home COVID-19 free.
Source: Supplied
