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A Brisbane man is among hundreds of people trying to escape one of Morocco's busiest airports after the country began closing its borders to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Key points:
- Mr Gharakhanian arrived in Morroco for a short trip from London
- His scheduled flight was cancelled and he can't get another one
- He says the Australian Embassy turned him away with little help
Matt Gharakhanian made moves to leave Morocco shortly after landing in the country on the weekend, as news broke it would soon be closing inbound and outbound travel to dozens of countries.
The 33-year-old from Brisbane has been waiting in the Marrakech Menara Airport trying to secure a flight out, amid growing unrest.
"I don't feel safe being here and I have no option but to stay," he said.
"I have limited funds and currently no way out.
"I feel sick to my stomach about the whole situation and devastated my own country isn't helping.
"It's utter chaos."
Mr Gharakhanian said he and several other Australians have been waiting at the airport but found themselves surrounded by protests in the terminal that broke out late on Monday.
Dozens of travellers began chanting noisily and dancing, demanding action from authorities.
"Everyone's tired and frustrated," Mr Gharakhanian said.
"The past two days I've had locals yell 'corona' in my face [and] one spat at my feet."
He arrived in Morocco for a short trip before heading back to Australia after living in London.
Realising his scheduled flight later this week would be cancelled, he said he contacted the Australian Embassy but was turned away with little information.
"I looked for earlier flights but all kept filling up and while booking, airline websites were crashing as they were inundated," he said.
"Eventually I got hold of my insurance company and they said they couldn't help as there were no flights for them to cover.
"I called the Department of Home Affairs and they said the Australian Government has no plans to rescue their citizens — they recommended just waiting for an indefinite period and see if it gets any better.
Your questions on coronavirus answered:
"The Australian Embassy in Morocco also stated we need to leave by midnight the 16th of March with no plans to send help.
"Morocco has been cancelling flights left and right and the one I have on [March] 20th to London likely won't go ahead."
He has been in touch with family in Australia who are urgently trying to help him organise accommodation.
"At this point, I have to wait and keep coming back to the airport and hope something happens," he said.
"Outside of that, I need to find food and accommodation — I've been told today a lot of stores are shutting down."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
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Topics: infectious-diseases-other, respiratory-diseases, morocco, united-kingdom