Covid 19 coronavirus: the Trans-Tasman sisters will meet again with one last wish

A New Zealand woman received special permission to travel to Australia to care for her dying sister.

New Zealand-based retired nurse Christine Archer received the travel exemption today after four previous requests to the Department of the Interior were rejected, ABC of Australia reported.

Archer’s younger sister Gail Baker was told in March, after a fall at her Bowraville, New South Wales home, that she had advanced ovarian cancer and had weeks or months to live.

But the sisters, who haven’t seen each other in six years, found themselves stranded on opposite sides of the Tasman after borders in both countries were closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Baker told ABC that seeing his sister again was “everything.”

“Obviously he will have to quarantine Sydney most likely for two weeks, but at least he will be in the country and closer to getting here.”

“It’s something to stay alive and be fine. I’m looking forward to the day when we can get together and have a good chinwag.”

Archer also shared his joy at the news with ABC.

“She is my only sister and my little sister … I just want to spend every minute I can with her, it will be wonderful.”

The department was able to grant an exemption to those with “a compelling and compassionate reason” to travel to Australia urgently.

Archer said he hoped his success would “open the door” to others in the same position.

• Covid19.govt.nz – The official government Covid-19 advisory website