A family in Dubai desperately trying to return to Australia are in limbo after their fourth flight in as many months was cancelled.
Brian and Martha Fisher have waited more than four months to fly home after Mr Fisher was made redundant from his job in June as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The couple and their four-year-old twins were booked on to an Emirates flight to Sydney on September 28 but it was cancelled weeks before because Australia capped the number of international passenger arrivals to combat the virus.
They have had three further flights cancelled, on November 2, December 23 and January 27.
We understand the government needs to protect Australians but there needs to be a balance
"We're frustrated, heartbroken and feel completely stuck in limbo," Ms Fisher told The National.
“In March, at the start of the pandemic, the Australian government told its citizens who were travelling abroad on holiday to return home.
“If you were working overseas and secure, you were advised to shelter in place, which is what we did.
“Not long after, my husband was made redundant and we had no choice but to make the decision to go back to Australia.”
Australia's caps quota was introduced last year to ease pressure on state and territory quarantine facilities. Everyone entering the country is required to quarantine on arrival for 14 days in approved locations.
Under recent changes to the rules, the number of flights returning to Australia was reduced.
Until February 15, New South Wales will be allowed to take a maximum of 1,505 people a week into hotel quarantine.
Queensland will be allowed a maximum of 500 people a week, while Western Australia will cap numbers at 512.
As a result, airlines around the world have cancelled flights because of low passenger demand, leaving citizens like the Fishers stranded overseas.
Staying in a small hotel apartment in Deira, the family said they were at their wits end.
"We shipped all our belongings back to Australia in September when our first flight home was booked," Mr Fisher said.
“We understand the government needs to protect Australians but there needs to be a balance.
“The human cost of this caps system is becoming even bigger than Covid-19 itself, for us at least.
“Thankfully, we haven’t contracted the virus but we have been dramatically affected by it."
The Australian government recently announced it would operate 20 repatriation flights from around the world and the family are trying to register for the service.
Although Mr Fisher was made redundant from his construction consultancy company in June, his last working day was September 21.
Since then, the family have not had an income and have been living off their savings.
Mr Fisher's former employer has been supporting the family with their accommodation costs.
“Our kids are struggling to sleep at night and adjust to this new norm,” Mr Fisher said.
“We had to take them out of school because we thought we were going home in September.
“We can’t enrol them again as we are worried they might get sick, plus we are now on tourist visas.”
Mr Fisher’s residence visa expired on January 8, as did those of his wife and children, who were sponsored under his name.
On January 15, Emirates airline said it was suspending flights to Australia's three largest cities. It last flew to Brisbane on January 16, to Sydney on January 18 and to Melbourne on January 20.
“We had a flight scheduled for January 27. It was the closest we have ever been to getting home and we really thought it was going to work but we found out just a few days ago that it was cancelled,” Mr Fisher said.
"We have been trying to get on standby flights but failed.
“People have said why don’t we fly to another city or country like Bangkok or Singapore and connect on a flight there, but if we do that we run the risk of the connecting flight to Australia being cancelled again.
“We have lived in the UAE for 13 years so at least if we stay here and keep trying to fly out, we have a small support system in place.”
Although the couple has been in contact with the Australian consulate in the UAE, they said everyone's hands were tied.
“We are at the mercy of this caps system and we just desperately hope things change soon,” Ms Fisher said.
“Australia is my home and I always had this vision that I could go home and be safe whenever I wanted.
“Right now I feel lost and the thought of not knowing when I will see my mum again is heartbreaking.”
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Lowest Test scores
26 - New Zealand v England at Auckland, March 1955
30 - South Africa v England at Port Elizabeth, Feb 1896
30 - South Africa v England at Birmingham, June 1924
35 - South Africa v England at Cape Town, April 1899
36 - South Africa v Australia at Melbourne, Feb. 1932
36 - Australia v England at Birmingham, May 1902
36 - India v Australia at Adelaide, Dec. 2020
38 - Ireland v England at Lord's, July 2019
42 - New Zealand v Australia in Wellington, March 1946
42 - Australia v England in Sydney, Feb. 1888
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
'Nope'
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Fixture and table
UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
- 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
- 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership – final standings
- Dubai Exiles
- Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Jebel Ali Dragons
- Dubai Hurricanes
- Dubai Sports City Eagles
- Abu Dhabi Saracens
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
