A Cork couple who were forced into lockdown in a hostel in Peru are waking up to their first day back in Cork.
Andrew Cotter from Mitchelstown and his girlfriend Marie Barry from Conna were two days into their trip to the Peruvian City of Cusco when authorities introduced strict measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Andrew and Marie feared they would be trapped in the country for months after a tourist at a nearby hostel died from the virus, however they were eventually granted permission to travel 23 hours on a bus to the capital Lima.
The couple were among over 100 Irish citizens who arrived back in Ireland yesterday evening on a charter flight organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking to RedFM News from a hotel in the city this morning, Andrew says the restrictions in Peru are very severe compared to Ireland:
"It was a bit surreal to be honest. We were so wrecked - we were travelling for about 56 hours.
"Everyone was texting us saying 'it's great you're back, how ya doing, how ya feeling?'
"I'm up this morning and I'm looking out, it's weird to see the city so quiet.
"We're on lockdown, but I'm telling ye lads ye don't know what lockdown is!
"Looking out the road and there's cars and everything everywhere, so it's not a real lockdown [compared to Peru]."
