TWO Kyabram residents have found themselves stranded in India with no way home, due to the country’s enforced lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Kyabram’s Mark Ogden and Debbie Greenham along with friends Rod Sutton and Karin Sutton from Yambuna travelled to India for a holiday early in the Coronavirus’ lifespan; but were caught in the middle of a lockdown set until April 15.
They are currently unable to leave their hotel – the Glitz Westend Inn near Delhi airport – and are living off of scarce supplies.
Mark told WIN News Shepparton they were the only people occupying the 230-room hotel, not counting a skeleton staff of four.
“When we left there were only three reported cases and very early in the trip things started to change and the government was shutting down the national monuments,” he said.
Karin Sutton said the group booked two separate flights out of Delhi, but both were cancelled.
“There were no official personnel to talk to you in regards what’s happening, only security,” she said.
Back home in Australia, Mark and Debbie’s daughter Erin Ogden took to social media in an attempt to gather support from locals to get the four home or at the very least provide them some relief.
She sent an email to Member for Nicholls Damian Drum, pleading for the government’s help.
In a follow-up post, Erin said Mr Drum’s office had responded.
“We are still trying to work through all of the logistics to see if it’s possible for us to get people out,” Mr Drum said.
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