COVID-19 in Wagga: Melinda Hawkins stuck in Guam wants to return to her home

Melinda Hawkins travelled to the island of Guam early in March to visit her 83-year-old mother.

Weeks later the COVID-19 pandemic was internationally recognised resulting in the closing of national borders all over the world.

Ms Hawkins is an American citizen and holds an American passport, but has been living in Australia as a permanent resident for 28 years.

For many of those years, she has been receiving an Australian disability pension which she says has prevented her being able to save enough money for the situation she now finds herself in.

"[I've] been trying to find flights back to Australia but [it's] difficult when I have no savings and only a monthly disability pension," Ms Hawkins told The Daily Advertiser.

"I just want and need to return home, and that is Wagga."

With many international borders now closed and few planes in the airspace, Ms Hawkins says she faces enormous costs for a return flight.

"I have to take two different flights to return to Australia. The first leg of the journey [is to] either Tokyo or Manila and those flights are under $1000 nearly half that for some flights," Ms Hawkins said.

"But flights back to Australia are over $3000 [or more] going on a one way ticket. That's what is preventing me from being able to return.

"[I] am aware if I can return that I will be quarantined for two weeks and I am fine with that."

This year's trip to Guam was only her third journey to the island of her mother's residence.

"I have only travelled to Guam twice before this current journey, one for my father's funeral," Ms Hawkins said.

"A few years later my sister and I were invited by mom to visit for a short reunion."

Now, she is unsure of how long her trip will last.

"All I have is nothing but bad luck."