Tanila De Silva’s birthday trip to the Philippines took an unexpected turn almost as soon as he arrived in the country.
Mr De Silva, his cousin Hasindu Saranguhewage and their friend Elias Harrak touched down in the country’s capital, Manila, on 13 March.
Less than 24 hours later, Philippine President Roderigo Duterte announced a coronavirus-induced domestic travel ban on travel in and of Manila that would last at least until 14 April.
The ban has since evolved to encompass other major ports and cities.
“It just all happened so fast,” Mr De Silva told SBS News.
“It doesn’t make any sense. No one could have predicted it.”
Since then, Mr De Silva said the trio have been stuck on the small island of Boracay, which is quickly becoming a "ghost island".
Tanila De Silva Source: Supplied
He said they have been looking at different means to leave, but none have panned out.
“We were supposed to get a military flight on Monday, but that was cancelled,” he said.
“We had the option of catching a 12-hour ferry to Manilla, but they’ve closed the port there, too.
“[Commercial] flights are getting cancelled left right and centre. We book them and then two hours later it is cancelled.”
Mr De Silva said he is worried about how long the trio will need to remain in the Philippines and is concerned about unconfirmed reports there are cases of coronavirus on the island.
“If there are cases of coronavirus on the island, I mean, that's just going to spread exponentially, really,” he said.
“We don’t know what’s happening, we are worried that we’re not going to get home for months.
“We’ve only budgeted and packed clothes for nine days.”
Mr De Silva said the trio has tried to reach out to both Philippine and Australian authorities, but little progress has been made.
“So far, we haven't seen or heard anything from the Australian government saying how they'll help people like us stuck in foreign countries get back home safely.
“We all understand the need to self-isolate when we get home - but we have nothing to help us get to that stage.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday the Federal Government was looking at new ways to try and get Australians trapped overseas back home.
Hasindu Saranguhewage, Tanila De Silva and Elias Harrak Source: Supplied
"Where there are Australians in places that have already been cut off, and you can't get a flight … then the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Foreign Minister, are bringing forward some matters for consideration by the National Security Committee,” he said.
A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Australians concerned about border restrictions or flight cancellations, “should first contact their travel agent and transportation provider before contacting the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate”.
Australians requiring consular assistance can also call DFAT’s Consular Emergency Centre, the spokesperson added.
In the meantime, Mr De Silva said he and his fellow travellers are trying to keep their spirits high and make sure to eat healthily and exercise.
“We’re stocking up on food and snacks [because] businesses are closing,” he said.
“We don’t know anyone and we’re running out of places to eat.
“In the next week, who knows what’s going to happen? Just in the last 48 hours, so many businesses seem to have shut down.”
Philippine media reported on Friday that officials think there could be somewhere between 100 to 500 tourists stranded in Boracay.
There have been 230 cases of coronavirus in the country, with 18 deaths and eight recoveries, according to the Department of Health.
