Worthing woman stuck on Philippines island for weeks due to global lockdown

On March 10, Marg Docwra, from Roedean Road, Worthing, left England to visit her son Ricky at the hostel he works at on Boracay, a tiny island north of Panay.

But since much of the world went into lockdown following the spread of coronavirus, the personal adviser for the leaving care service has been stranded - and her two-week holiday has become a six-week ordeal.

She said: "In the early days, it was a complete and utter nightmare. I couldn't get hold of anyone and there didn't seem to be any continuity of communication going on to support us all."

She went on to say: "I'm lucky I'm here with my son; I have not come here independently and got stuck on my own."

Marg's flight back to the UK was meant to be on March 24 - but the UK lockdown came into effect while she was abroad and her flight was cancelled on March 21.

Despite the UK Government putting on repatriation flights, she has not been able to get to any major airports because it would require at least a boat ride and internal flight, many of which have been cancelled by the Philippine Government.

She signed up for emails from their Department of Tourism in the hopes of getting home - but was told on March 27 she would be eligible for a flight that day, by which point it was too late.

Her son Ricky, 36, said: "Everything gets separated up into each department over here, and they don't talk to each other.

"It can be a bit frustrating, but it seems to be getting better now."

After speaking to the British Embassy and her MP, Sir Peter Bottomley, she was more hopeful and felt communication between the two countries and internally had improved, adding: "There is another repatriation flight at the end of the month; fingers crossed it will all go through."

While being stuck on a tropical island does not sound like most people's idea of hell, Marg said restrictions there were different to us at home - such as a curfew from 8pm to 5am and not being able to go to any shops because she does not qualify for a quarantine pass, only handed out to locals.

She said: "One thing that would horrify most Brits is that there is a liquor ban - no-one can buy any alcohol."

Thankfully, the other guests at the Chill Out Hostel were keeping each others' spirits high, and Marg was enjoying baking cakes for her fellow guests.

The paper understands Marg is on the list of British nationals to be flown home on April 28.

A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We know it’s a difficult time for many British travellers abroad – especially those with challenging circumstances.

"Our consular teams are doing everything they can, especially for those in difficulty, to keep Brits informed on the latest developments and help them return - on commercial flights where they are still available or special charter flights as well. We’ll continue working around the clock to bring people home.”

Sir Peter Bottomley said he did not comment on individual cases, but added: "When we have been alerted to the problem of being stranded abroad, we want to help the fastest possible return to the UK. We alert the FCO, local consular staff and other in country agencies to help UK people stranded in the Philippines or other countries.

"The Philippines can be tricky because of travel difficulties in country. We understand that a further flight may be leaving Manila within the week. We hope all stranded people can make it.

"We do all we can to assist in every case."