“The power of a mum’s love”: Aussie man shares update on tragic story
One of the first Aussies to return home as NSW reopened to international travellers has been told he can enter WA to see his sick mother.
Ethan Carter shared his story on Sunrise after he was stopped by reporters at the airport.
He fought back tears when 7News reporter Sarina Andalaro asked how he was feeling and expressed his uncertainty about being able to see his mum.
“I’m really scared and emotional because I really want to see my mum because the doctor said she hasn’t got long,” he said.
“The doctors said she hasn’t got long and I’m going to do whatever I can today to see her.”
Mr Carter also called on WA Premier Mark McGowan to consider the mental health of people in similar situations and to “reunite families”.
Since his pleas were broadcast, WA Police have confirmed that Mr Carter has been given an exemption to enter the state to see his mum.
“After consideration of Mr Ethan Carter’s family circumstances the State Emergency Coordinator, WA Police Force Commissioner Chris Dawson, has this evening personally signed authorisation to allow Mr Carter to enter Western Australia,” a police spokesperson said, according to Sunrise.
Appearing on the breakfast show once again, Mr Carter said he was “delirious with jet lag” when he received the news.
“I don’t know if I could feel anything, I was just looking at my phone with a QR code in disbelief and started calling my sister and messaging people [saying] ‘I can’t believe it and we’ve just taken a U-turn and I get to go back to Perth and quarantine and hopefully get to see mum’,” he said.
When asked how his mum reacted to the news, he said he would only be able to tell her once he is in Perth.
“I’m really excited to give her the news and I’m sure that when she knows I’m only a few stones throw away from her, it’s going to be phenomenal,” he said.
He thanked the “number of people” who worked to allow him to return home.
“That’s the power of a mum’s love I guess, [it’s] made this happen.”
However, Mr Carter will need to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine, and booked his flight to Perth on Tuesday morning.
The positive ending to Mr Carter’s story comes as WA continues to enforce its strict border rules to protect the state from COVID-19.
Mr McGowan has previously said the state would not reopen until 80 percent of eligible adults in WA have received both doses of the vaccine.
The state has recorded a double dose percentage of 63.3 percent as of Sunday, while 77 percent of people had received their first dose as of Tuesday.
From Friday, travellers returning to WA from Victoria or NSW must also be fully vaccinated, with the same rule applying to other states from November 15.
But, Mr Carter hopes that his experience could fast-track the reunion of families travelling interstate.
“Hopefully this inspires other people and affects other people, letting them know there is a way people can come together,” Mr Carter said.
“And maybe with the government looking ahead, they can restructure their timeline as to when they can ease restrictions to help people get home to their families sooner.”
Image: Sunrise