Operation begins to get thousands of quarantined passengers home

NSW reported 44 new Covid-19 cases overnight with the state death toll rising to 23 and 44 Ruby Princess crew testing positive to the virus. It comes as hundreds of Australian travellers kept in mandatory quarantine in Sydney hotels are ending their two-week confinement in time for Easter.

NSW reported 44 new Covid-19 cases overnight but the state has recorded another death, taking the toll to 23.

With NSW residents implored to stay home over the Easter long weekend and continue social distancing measures, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Saturday confirmed the new cases took the state total to 2857.

The NSW death toll now stands at 23 and the national toll at 56. The latest victim was a 91-year-old woman who was suffering pre-existing health conditions.

44 Ruby Princess crew test positive

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant also revealed a total of 88 tests have been undertaken on the Ruby Princess “on those onboard with mild respiratory symptoms and those that were recovering from the illness on board the ship.”

“That’s identified 44 cases that were positive and those tests are not unexpected given the covid on the ship,” she said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the community for doing the right thing over the Easter period and not flocking to NSW holiday hotspots.

“I know for many families across NSW this is the time when they may have gone to a place of worship at church or gathered together in family homes. Unfortunately this is not allowed tomorrow,” Ms Berejiklian said. “We don’t want anybody unintentionally getting sick on Easter Sunday.”

Relief... Steven Christie runs into the arms of his family after being released from quarantine. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Meanwhile hundreds of Australian travellers kept in mandatory quarantine in Sydney hotels are ending their two-week confinement in time for Easter.

About 1300 people who arrived at Sydney International Airport after the clampdown on March 29 are finishing their 14-day quarantine on Saturday, NSW Police said.

They will undergo a final health check before they are allowed to leave for their homes around the country.

Police are overseeing the departures, assisted by health authorities, the Australian Defence Force and hotel staff.

Coaches will run to Sydney’s airport throughout the day, but some won’t be able to return to their home states on Saturday due to flight schedules

Quarantined travellers who had been cooped up inside Darling Harbour’s Ibis Hotel took their first breathe of fresh air this morning after their isolation.

Steven Christie, who flew in from LA two weeks ago, said the “most difficult thing” was looking outside the window hopelessly every day.

“I can safely say I never want to see Darling Harbour again,” he said.

“The most difficult thing was to be in my home state but not be able to go home.”

Vicky Ferrier, from Seaforth, who was sharing her room with her husband, said overall the experience “went smoothly” but she does feel a huge sense of relief having been released today.

“I’m definitely happy to be out,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.

Elation... Steven Christie runs to his family. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“But overall it all went well, you know, it is what it is. What can you do about it?

“I’m actually just happy that we have a government that has taken this seriously, we don’t feel resentful at all, we’re just glad that it’s over and I’m happy to be going home.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed by it all actually, it feels overwhelming being back outside.”

Another Australian national who has been studying in Minneapolis said he enjoyed his stay so much he was actually reluctant to leave.

“Well I’m a uni student, so I didn’t have a problem with being fed three meals a day, I haven’t eaten that well for a very long time,” 19-year-old Khan Henderson said.

Peter O'Connel (right) is greeted by a friend outside the Ibis hotel in Darling Harbour. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“I actually really enjoyed my experience, I don’t actually want to leave.

“I’m kind of in a tough position because I’m from Western Australia and I’ve been told to go there within 24-hours.

“But there aren’t any flights until Monday, so I don’t know where that leaves me; I’ve called NSW Police and they tell me it’s not their jurisdiction so I’ll just wait and see I guess.”

Another passenger who flew in from LA, who did not wish to be named, said she didn’t have criticism for her quarantine experience but being transported from the airport was a “nightmare”.

International travellers were quarantined last month. Picture: MAtrix

“They took us from the airport then first to the Intercontinental,” she said.

“We sat on full busses like sardines for two to three hours outside that hotel.

“Nobody knew what was happening, if it was full or not or what was going on. Nobody knew why we couldn’t go inside, people had to use the bathroom, it was a giant s**t show.

“Once we got to the Ibis it was okay after that.”

Peter O’Connell, from Botany, had actually contracted COVID-19 in the United States but ”recovered” prior to landing on Australia soil.

Walking out of the Ibis this morning he said felt “extremely invigorated”.

“Last night a doctor and a nurse came to my room and they checked my temperature and looked for symptoms,” he said.