Queensland Health approve Nate Russell’s exemption to return home to Townsville

A Townsville boy stuck in New South Wales will soon be able to wrap his arms around his mum and dad for the first time in almost three months, as Queensland Health finally give the green light for him to come home.

A TOWNSVILLE boy stuck in New South Wales will soon be able to wrap his arms around his mum and dad for the first time in almost three months, as Queensland Health finally give the green light for him to come home.

Nate Russell, 10, has been stranded at his grandparent’s home in Orange since June after a surprise school holiday trip was ruined when the State Government shut the border after a Covid-19 outbreak.

His mum Kaycee Thomas, has been battling with Queensland Health to get him back to Townsville, but with the costs of flights and hotel quarantine, the $6000 expense was more than their family could afford.

After pressure from the Townsville Bulletin, the health department approved Nate’s home quarantine exemption late Thursday night.

He will be back on North Queensland soil on Saturday afternoon with the help of Angel Flight Australia.

Nate Russell has been given approval to return home to Townsville from New South Wales.

Ms Thomas was relieved the wait to see her boy was almost over after an exhausting battle with Queensland Health.

“I’ve been so up and down, I’m very glad it’s all been approved, but it should never have come to this,” Ms Thomas said.

“Solutions for families like us should have come earlier, and without the intervention of media. These exemptions should be looked at on a case-by-cases basis.

“It can be done, we’ve proven that, but it makes me feel uneasy for all the other families going through what I have that haven’t been given any compassion either.”

Angel Flight CEO Marjorie Pagani said she was extremely thrilled to be able to help get Nate home.

“It’s excellent news for Nate and his family,” Ms Pagani said.

“We are very happy to be able to help him and other families.”

Angel Flight wrote to the chief health officer on September 7 offering the mercy flight for Nate.

A pilot from Sydney will fly to Orange on Saturday morning, pick up Nate and his grandad, and fly them to Archerfield Airport at Brisbane.

A pilot from Brisbane will then step into the captain’s seat, Ms Thomas will jump on board and Nate’s granddad will fly back to Orange.

Nate Russell has been granted approval to come home.

Nate and his mum will then fly back to Townsville together, where he will have to complete 14 days in quarantine at home.

Ms Thomas chose to postpone her wedding, meant for September 18, as her son and dad were stranded interstate.

She also had to enrol Nate into another school in Orange so he wouldn’t fall behind.

Ms Thomas hoped her situation triggered change for other families going through the same struggles.

“I hope this really sets a standard and the government might start dealing with exemptions with more compassion.”

Originally published as Queensland Health approve Nate Russell’s exemption to return home to Townsville