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Sudbury woman shocked after fiancé left stranded in India due to travel restrictions caused by coronavirus outbreak

By Priya Kingsley-Adam
Published: 18:19, 06 April 2020
 | Updated: 18:21, 06 April 2020

A woman from Sudbury is on tenterhooks waiting to be reunited with her partner, after he was left stranded abroad during the coronavirus pandemic.

Melanie Edwards’ fiancé, Mark Andrews, had been working in India before the country was placed on lockdown, with all flights suspended due to the outbreak.

Mr Andrews, who works as a project manager at an air traffic control tower in Kochi, expected to return home last week, but has been forced to stay until the three-week restriction is lifted.

Melanie Edwards' fiance, Mark, who works in India, has been left stranded after the country was put on lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak...He had been due back earlier this month, but all flights have since been grounded. Melanie has been keeping in contact and hopes he will return in April...Pictured: Melanie Edwards with son Tyla and Mark's daughter, Evie.....PICTURE: Mecha Morton .... (32739441)
Melanie Edwards' fiance, Mark, who works in India, has been left stranded after the country was put on lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak...He had been due back earlier this month, but all flights have since been grounded. Melanie has been keeping in contact and hopes he will return in April...Pictured: Melanie Edwards with son Tyla and Mark's daughter, Evie.....PICTURE: Mecha Morton .... (32739441)

Discovering that his flight had been cancelled, Ms Edwards said the news had come as a surprise.

“It was a complete shock because it happened so quickly,” said the mother-of-three. “Understandably, they needed to do it, but there was no warning.”

Ms Edwards, who lives in Elm Road, said the whole family were concerned about when he will be able to return.

Melanie Edwards' fiance, Mark, who works in India, has been left stranded after the country was put on lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak...He had been due back earlier this month, but all flights have since been grounded. Melanie has been keeping in contact and hopes he will return in April...Pictured: Melanie Edwards with son Tyla and Mark's daughter, Evie.....PICTURE: Mecha Morton .... (32739439)
Melanie Edwards' fiance, Mark, who works in India, has been left stranded after the country was put on lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak...He had been due back earlier this month, but all flights have since been grounded. Melanie has been keeping in contact and hopes he will return in April...Pictured: Melanie Edwards with son Tyla and Mark's daughter, Evie.....PICTURE: Mecha Morton .... (32739439)

“It’s a terrible situation,” she said. “And if I think about Mark being there, I get upset. We have days when it’s very difficult.”

Once he has returned, the couple, who have kept in contact on social media and by using an online messaging service, plan to celebrate their engagement.

Mr Andrews, 53, has notified the Foreign Office about the current situation, while Ms Edwards contacted the MP for South Suffolk, James Cartlidge.

The family hopes that Mr Andrews, who is staying in an Indian hotel, will be able to fly home later this month, but Ms Edwards said they are well aware that it will depend on whether the Indian government deems it safe to lift the current restrictions.

“Deep down, there’s a part of me that thinks it won’t happen,” she said. “But I’m trying to remain positive.”

Having returned temporarily to her previous role working as a community warden at Sudbury Town Council, Ms Edwards said she was thankful for the brief distraction.

Praising her partner’s qualities, she said: “He’s very well respected by his company and anybody who meets him knows he’s a very happy, funny person.”

Ms Edwards added: “I’m really lucky to have met him.”

Coronavirus Sudbury Priya Kingsley-Adam
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