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Coronavirus: Foreign Office arranging flights to rescue Brits in Peru

The Foreign Office is working with the Peruvian government to arrange flights to bring home hundreds of British tourists stranded in Peru amid the coronavirus crisis.

The move means that there is no need for a charter repatriation flight being planned by Saga and Cruise.co.

A ban on flights in and out of the country was imposed on Sunday with Peru is in a state of emergency, including a curfew and closed borders..

However, foreign secretary Dominic Raab tweeted: “I spoke to my counterpart in Peru today, @GMeza_Cuadra and we committed to work together in the coming days, so Britons in Peru and Peruvian nationals in UK can return home, amidst the challenges of tackling Covid-19.”

Nigel Adams MP, a minister at the Foreign Office, also tweeted: “We’re working round the clock to make flights available next week for Brits who wish to leave #Peru but can’t currently because of travel restrictions that have been imposed.

“If you’re in Peru & want to leave, please contact our embassy via belima@fco.gov.uk.”


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The British ambassador to Peru, Kate Harrisson, said on Twitter: “UK government is working to make flights available from next week for British people who wish to leave Peru.

“I know the continued uncertainty is hugely frustrating but please know that we are working around the clock with the airlines, with Peru and with international partners to enable routes within and out of Peru.”

A petition urging Raab to bring back the estimated 400 stranded Brits has been signed by more than 36,000 people within three days.

It asks him to work with the Peruvian authorities to organise repatriation flights for British nationals to return to the UK over the coming week.

Other countries have already organised repatriation flights to bring their citizens home.

Last week, the government had said tourists must pay for their own airline tickets home once a flight becomes available.

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