Sixteen Russian tourists are presently stuck in Fiji, according to the honorary consul general of the Federation of Russia to Fiji, Div Damodar.
He said while there were talks with Canberra and Moscow on how best to get the tourists out of the country, there were some complications.
“Canberra is in talks with Moscow and most likely we will be chartering a plane from Fiji Airways just like the other embassies,” he said.
“The complication about Russia is that it is far and our planes are limited to certain places only, you have to take a connecting flight.
“So again with the COVID-19 environment and with the 16 people going for example to the nearest port and then they would have to transit.”
He said there were negotiations taking place as to which country they could go to, but they had to consider the restrictions in these nations as well.
“It’s unfortunate and very inconvenient for tourists.
“You plan to come here for one week of holiday and you are stuck here for a couple of months now.”
Mr Damodar said the tourists were in Nadi and Sigatoka.
He was grateful to hotel owners who have been accommodating them, adding that a few local Russians have also stepped in to assist.
