Jersey teens return from Peru

Monday 30 March 2020

Four teens left stranded in Peru, after the country closed its borders due to the covid-19 outbreak, have returned to Jersey - but many islanders are still struggling to get back.

Lucas Burton, Christian Jones, Harvey Le Sueur and Fergus Taylor (all 19) had been planning to return from their pre-university adventure on 18 March, but found themselves stuck in South America as a result of the global health crisis.

With the British Embassy closed, and no response from the Foreign Office in London, their only apparent option to get back seemed to be a rescue flight at a cost of US$3,000 - $3,500 per person one-way.

Speaking to Express about the ordeal, Lucas’s mother, Lynda Burton, said that all four of the boys “worked really hard to save up” for the trip. 

She said that, on finding out that the South American country was closing its borders from midnight on Monday (16 March), just two days before the teenagers were going to make their way back, she called and woke them up and “they arrived at the airport at 05:00 to be met with absolute chaos."

A glimmer of hope arrived in the form of a flight organised by the UK Government on a Boeing 777 plane that would fly out to Lima as an initial rescue mission for 170 people. 

Pictured: The boys made it back thanks to an Iberia flight, organised by the Spanish Government, which left Lima on 25 March.

“Unfortunately, the boys were not allocated a seat as they focused on those who were older and those who had a medical condition, which we totally agree with,” Lynda said.

“That said, we were watching an unfolding situation and the risk of them being out in Peru for perhaps months was increasing hour by hour." 

“There was no information coming from the British Embassy or the FCO about anything, never mind on when the next rescue flight would be,” Lynda added. “In fact, the organisation and information flow is absolutely shocking.  The only reason the UK government know how many people are out there is because of a WhatsApp group, set up and run by travellers who are collating the information very professionally.”

Luckily, with the help of friends, the four boys and their families were put in touch with a travel agent in Lima who managed to secure four economy class tickets on an Iberia flight organised by the Spanish Government which left Lima on 25 March.

“The boys said the flight was amazing, as the staff were so kind. And, unlike the BA flight, they were given hot food and drinks,” Lynda said.

Pictured: The boys will have to wait at least two weeks to get their ‘welcome home’ hugs.

The boys made it back to Jersey on Thursday (26 March), much to the relief of their families. However, due to self-isolation restrictions they will have to wait at least two weeks to get their ‘welcome home’ hugs.

Lynda said that while they are “ecstatic” about the four being home, they are also “gutted” for those who were left behind.  

“We won't stop helping those still there and raising awareness of their plight - it could so easily be our boys,” she said.

“Some left behind are in a terrible situation with food and water in short supply in some places, and some travellers being told to stay in their hostel rooms for up to 23 hours a day.  

“Peru is a huge country, about five times bigger than UK, and a lot of travellers are out in the provinces which makes getting them out even more difficult as there is total lockdown on any travel internally and only government approved flights externally.”

Pictured: "They would definitely love to go back when everything is back to normal," Lynda said.

Despite how their trip ended, Lucas, Christian, Harvey and Fergus are hoping to visit Peru again in the future. 

“All of the boys have said that the Peruvian people were very kind to them and couldn't do enough to help,” Lynda said. “It is a very beautiful country but a large part of the population are very poor and a big part of their income is from tourism. They would definitely love to go back when everything is back to normal.”

While it was good news for the four friends, many islanders are still struggling to find a route home, and are hoping the government will step in and help.

Among them is the couple behind popular food truck business El Fuego, Ellen Hibbs and Angela Jardim, who had their passports stolen by a thief on a moped in Laos.

A petition aiming to get them home has since been launched and received more than 1,800 signatures.

Some islanders were also concerned to learn that British Airways' Jersey-Gatwick services have been suspended from tomorrow (Tuesday 31 March) until the end of April, while EasyJet has also cancelled many of its flights.

A Southampton-Jersey service remains in operation, but is intended to serve those in need of urgent medical treatment.

Facing questions about islanders in need of repatriation, Jersey’s Government last week instructed islanders currently overseas to get in touch with the External Relations Department.

Islanders concerned about Jersey residents (holding British passports) who are currently overseas and may need UK consular assistance to return home, can contact our External Relations department: https://t.co/cBX32sA4XQ pic.twitter.com/sVBHm2TjSq

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) March 20, 2020

They explained the UK Government is responsible for getting any British nationals back to home soil, including British passport-holders who are resident in Jersey. 

External Relations are working with the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office to ensure that consular staff in London and associated networks are aware of cases where Jersey residents have been stranded overseas.

“External Relations has good channels of communication with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for raising consular cases. Understandably, there will be Jersey residents who are looking to find routes to return to the island. The UK authorities will explore all possible options to get British nationals home, but this will take time,” the Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, said. 

“I would strongly encourage everyone affected to follow UK travel advice and to register with the FCO Consular Directorate and the local British diplomatic mission. Non-British Jersey residents should contact the appropriate diplomatic mission in London or overseas. Anyone who has concerns or queries about affected individuals should contact External Relations via the departmental mailbox: externalrelations@gov.je."