Every inch of the more than 15,000km between Denise Crew and her elderly family in the United Kingdom has felt unbearable these past few months.
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Having lived in Australia for nine years, and now residing just north of Wagga, Ms Crew has been lobbying the government to reduce restrictions for travellers in her predicament.
"I'm prepared to pay for my own quarantine in Australia and in the United Kingdom, I certainly don't want to be taking something back to them," Ms Crew said.
"I don't think I'm a special case in this, I know I'm not alone. This would be affecting a lot of people."
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Normally, Ms Crew and her husband would travel back to their homeland each year in October.
But this year, international border restrictions have forced the trip's cancellation, without any indication on when it might be rescheduled.
Ms Crew's father and stepmother are elderly - aged 85 and 77 respectively - but are not unwell. They live in England with Ms Crew's aunt and uncle who are also aged in their 70s.
Under the guidelines of the current border restrictions, Ms Crew would be able to travel to the UK on compassionate grounds.
"I don't want to wait until I get that call to say that they are on their deathbed and I have to come back for their funerals," she said.
"They're very elderly, they're very scared of this virus. It's made them aware of their mortality and I'm worried for them."
Ms Crew has taken her concerns directly to the federal member for Riverina Michael McCormack, and to state member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr.
She has been advised to seek special travel considerations through the Department of Home Affairs.
Ms Crew is worried she would face extraordinary difficulty in returning to Australia after travelling to the UK, if permission was granted.
As of August 7, the National Cabinet, at the request of state and territory officials, agreed to cap international arrivals until at least October 24.
In a statement to The Daily Advertiser, Mr McCormack said this arrangement would be subject to review in time.
"The availability of state and territory quarantine capacity and associated resources is a matter for the respective state and territories governments," Mr McCormack said.
"Current arrangements will continue to be reviewed and should the states and territories determine that their circumstances allow for an increase to passenger limits, the Australian government is willing to work with them to that end.
"These caps are vital to maintain the integrity of our national quarantine system - a critical intervention in managing the spread of COVID-19 in Australia and are based on advice from jurisdictions on their available quarantine capacity and associated police, health and security resources."
Given the complexity of the situation, Mr McCormack said he sympathised with those in Ms Crew's position.
This week, Ms Crew joined 3,000 other Australians in signing an online petition asking that "citizens be allowed to leave Australia without requiring permission".
The change.org campaign claims "many Australians who took shelter here during the pandemic - or were simply stuck here - have lives and businesses to return to overseas.
"Some need to start new jobs, to study abroad or simply to be with loved ones. Most of these people do not intend on returning before all restrictions are fully lifted".