First Victoria and NSW arrivals touch down in Tassie
Delirious hugs and tearful reunions were had at Hobart Airport this morning as Tasmania’s borders reopened. FULL PHOTO GALLERY >>
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After almost two years of on again – off again Covid-19 lockdowns and border closures, the first flights full of Victorians and New South Welshmen are touching down in Tasmania.
Crowds of people have already gathered at Hobart’s airport to welcome home loved ones.
The first arrivals
Tasmania’s borders opened to all vaccinated people at 12.01am this morning with 37 packed out flights expected land today.
Delirious hugging and tearful reunions were had at Hobart Airport on Wednesday as Tasmania’s borders reopened.
It was an emotional moment for Khang Nguyen when he hugged his mother for the first time since 2012.
Mr Nguyen arrived on the first Melbourne flight to Hobart on Wednesday morning, alongside dozens of others.
Mr Nguyen hopes to have a traditional Christmas dinner with his family for the first time in nearly a decade.
“You know wellington beef? I’m going to try to make that for my family,” Mr Nguyen said.
Anna Bellette had a teary reunion with her son Damien, who was also among the first arrivals into Hobart.
Ms Bellette said it’d been almost a year since she’d seen her son, and was glad to have him back.
“I haven’t been able to travel over there because of Covid. Normally I’d be visiting them two, three times a year,” Ms Bellette said.
As it happened, December 15 also happened to be Damien’s birthday.
Tassie cop can watch granddaughter grow in real time
Senior constable Paul Edwards was serving double duty at Hobart Airport, where he filled the role of police officer as well as doting grandfather.
Constable Edwards reunited with his daughter Lauren Edwards and his seven month old granddaughter Isla Edwards from Newcastle.
Constable Edwards has been watching Isla grow up over Facebook messenger, where he receives daily growth updates from his proud daughter.
Lauren said Isla first came to Hobart at 8 weeks old, and has since grown into quite the photogenic baby.
“We’ve got a messenger page with all the family, so every day I send photos and videos. If I don’t, they start sending me messages,” Ms Edwards said.
“I’ll be here for a month. We plan to have a normal, traditional Christmas. Every year we go to mum’s place for dinner.”
The mum, Debbie Edwards, said receiving photos of her granddaughter was the highlight of her day.
Mrs Edwards said baby Isla was somehow even cuter in real life.
“She’s gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous,” Mrs Edwards gushed.
‘Nan’s back!’
Six-year-old Ivy Rose Hindmarsh was jumping with joy to reunite with her nan, Judy Kelly.
Ivy and her mother Anita Hindmarsh visit Judy in Hobart regularly, but have been unable to due to the state lockdown.
Ivy said she was looking forward to eating seafood and getting up close and personal with the marine life.
“I once fed some muscles to some stingrays. Not these muscles,” Ivy said, flexing her biceps.
“The ones that grow on rocks. We like going fishing, but we don’t like eating salt.”
Anita, who just arrived from Sydney, said she was looking forward to kicking back with her mother by the seaside.
“I’m extremely excited to be here during the first day it was opened,” she said.
“We’re going to stay on Bruny Island the whole time and eat some beautiful, delicious, local seafood.”
The Hobart Airport’s chief executive Norris Carter said staff were bracing for “busiest day ever”.
Katie’s special reunion
Katie Robertson, who has terminal cancer, was in tears when she reunited with her parents and two sisters at Hobart Airport on Wednesday.
It was the first time she had seen the four of them in three-and-a-half years, the first time since she had received her terminal diagnosis.
They came flying in from the UK via Sydney, and will be quarantining for one week before exploring the rest of Tasmania together as a family.
The family will be required to remain in quarantine for the next few days, but will emerge just in time for Christmas.
“They’re going to be quarantining in our house, then we’re going to enjoy the time catching up in Tasmania,” Ms Robertson said.
“It’s just overwhelming to see them in the flesh.”
Nic Robertson will be looking forward to spending some quality time with his two sons, one of whom is coming from New Zealand and the other of whom is coming from the mainland.
They will be quarantining separately, before coming together one by one for a gradual family reunion.
Mr Robertson said his boss had given him some extra time off, given how special the occasion was.
“My work doesn’t want me working, they want me with my family,” Mr Robertson said.
International arrival eager for post-quarantine hugs
Magdalena Proemse was tear-stained and bleary eyed when she reunited with her daughter Bernadette at Hobart airport.
“Even when I was on the plane in Germany I was crying,” Magdalena said.
“I wasn’t crying on the last flight. I was too tired.”
The German citizen has visited her daughter in Hobart 15 times, but has not been able to see her in person for over 22 months.
Even upon arrival, she was not able to hug her daughter since she is required to undergo a seven-day period of quarantine in Hobart.
Bernadette said she was glad to see her mum again, even though she was not able to physically embrace.
Her 3-year-old and five-year-old children are looking forward to hugging their “oma” when she emerges from quarantine in one weeks’ time.
“It’ll be just in time for Christmas,” Bernadette said.
“We’ve been staying in touch over the phone every day.”
Well behaved travellers praised
Hobart Airport’s chief executive was happy to report an incident-free morning on Wednesday, with nobody needing to be turned around for flouting Covid rules - so far.
Norris Carter said the first day of border reopening had gone about as smoothly as they could have hoped.
“We’re all about connecting communities and it’s been just wonderful to see families reuniting - just the tears and the hugs and the smiles and laughter,” Mr Carter said.
“Thank you to all of the passengers who all got off the planes into a beautiful day today, who have been happy and smiling and patient with the process, so keep that up.”
The airport processed 41 flights on Wednesday, roughly 5000 inbound and 2000 outbound.
The inbound passengers are required to show their QR Codes to biosecurity screeners and input their details onto an iPad upon arrival into Hobart Airport.
Australian Airports Association chief executive James Goodwin reminded flyers that face masks were still required in the airport terminal, on aircraft and on public transport.
Mr Goodwin said they’d received reports today of New South Welshmen arriving at airport terminals without the requisite masks.
He begged travellers to “do their homework” before taking to the skies in order to reduce the workload for airport and biosecurity staff.
“We know those living in New South Wales are excited about life getting back to normal and having most COVID requirements removed today but travellers need to be reminded that this does not include airports,” Mr Goodwin said.
“We know opening up and living with the virus may be stressful for some people and that there could be some initial anxiety around travel but it’s important any frustrations around the rules are not taken out on airport staff who are working harder than ever to ensure the safety of the travelling public.
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