Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji (AJD)

Panaji, Apr 10: A Panaji resident mariner who doesn’t want to reveal his name is stuck in Colombo due to Covid 19 crisis. He had travelled to Colombo on March 8 and was scheduled to return on March 31, but couldn’t return as flights were cancelled.

He had travelled to Negombo, around 30kms from Colombo, for some personal work, is now stranded with no signs of the flights resuming.

He said “Just around the time I was to return, the one week ban on flights was imposed, which was later extended till April 14. I have waited patiently for so long, but now it seems like the ban will be extended for god knows for how long. I have a wife and two kids aged 5 and 11, and a 76-year-old mother back home in Panaji. I am feeling helpless.”

He said he is only guest in the hotel with the hotel manager and his wife. The couple share with me whatever food they cook for themselves. Even the hotel staff has been sent home due to the Covid-19.

He added that he is spending around $35 per day now. He also fears that he will be quarantined for 14 days on returning to Panjim.