'The Government can't just forget about us' - words of South Shields expedition leader stranded in Bolivia as situation worsens

Steve Berry has no way home to South Shields after his flight from La Paz was cancelled as the city went into lockdown over the weekend.

The 64-year-old expedition leader left the UK on Friday, February 28, to lead a high-altitude charity trek in Ecuador.

On March 10 he flew to Bolivia to meet a friend and was due to fly home this week.

However, on March 12, all flights to and from Europe were suspended.

Steve had managed to book a flight home for April 1, but this has now been cancelled as his airline Avianca announced on Friday, March 20, it was suspending all international flights until April 30 in response to the crisis.

As of Monday, March 23 there were more than 350,000 cases of Covid-19 across the world.

Click here for an interactive map showing the spread of Covid-19 in the UK

“I received an email from Avianca saying my flight scheduled for April 1 has now been cancelled,” said Steve, who has been in contact with the British Embassy in La Paz.

“I've no idea how or when I'm supposed to get home now.”

The news came as La Paz went into complete lockdown over the weekend – a measure that is expected to last at least 14 days.

Supermarkets remain open until midday, but only one person per household is allowed out at a time to buy groceries or visit the pharmacy.

Steve was given two hours to leave his hotel and find somewhere else to stay as the government ordered establishments to close.

Luckily, he was able to find a hotel where another British resident was also staying.

“I’ve been allowed out to go and buy supplies,” said the grandad-of-three.

“It was eerie, the streets were deserted.”

Steve is now calling on the Foreign Office to take action to help bring home British nationals who are stranded overseas.

Over the weekend it was reported that the Foreign Secretary had secured permission for a UK flight to leave Peru, bringing home Britons who were stuck in the country.

“They can't just forget about us here in Bolivia,” said Steve.

“We all deserve the same help.”

He added: “I still have a pulse, a roof over my head and my sense of humour to see me through - but I’d rather be back in Geordieland with my family.”

The Foreign Office says teams across the world are “working urgently” to ensure the return of British travellers and the Government is working with airlines to allow as many people as possible to get commercial flights home.

A spokesperson said: “We recognise that any British people currently overseas may be nervous about the impact of coronavirus on their travel and their health.

“We are in close contact with travel providers and our international partners to provide support to those British people affected by ongoing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Travellers are advised to contact their airline, tour operator and travel insurer to find out what support they can offer.