‘It really worries me’: Peter Andre shares his heartache as he fears he won’t see his parents until 2022 amid Australia’s strict travel rules
Peter Andre has voiced his fears he might not be able to visit his parents in Australia until 2022.
The singer, 45, shared his heartache after the Australian government extended its ban on international travel until at least mid-March, meaning they will be separated for Christmas.
Peter said he worries about not being able to see his dad Savvas, 87, and mum Thea, 84, for a whole year because of their age.
‘It really worries me’: Peter Andre has voiced his fears he might not be able to visit his parents in Australia until 2022
Peter told The Sun ‘the greatest Christmas present’ would be to see his parents.
‘Dad was telling me that they said on the news that it might even be the end of next year they allow international travel,’ Pete said.
‘It really worries me because mum and dad are in their late 80s – or dad certainly is. When they were in their 40s and I was a teenager, not seeing them for a year, you just knew you’d see them a year later and they’d be fine.
Doting son: Peter said he worries about not being able to see his dad Savvas, 87, and mum Thea, 84, for a year because of their age
Festivities: Pete will spend Christmas with his wife Emily and their four children
‘Now every year is very crucial. It’s incredibly scary. Dad and I had the chat. I said: “Dad, there are people here who’ve got their mum two miles up the road and they’re not allowed to see them. Imagine how they feel”.’
Peter said the ‘12,000 miles’ between them is, in a way, easier than if they were down the road and not able to meet.
Earlier this week, it was announced the Australian government has extended its ban on international travel, with residents only allowed to leave the country for specific reasons
Upset: The singer, 45, shared his heartache after their government extended its ban on international travel until at least mid-March, meaning they will be separated for Christmas
Sad: After the news was announced, Pete shared a meme of the Sydney Opera House next to some dishes alongside the caption: ‘Was hoping to see my parents in Australia this year….’
Missing them: Junior, 15, and Princess, 13, pictured here with Pete’s parents. The family have been unable to see each throughout the pandemic
Restrictions on international travel departures and cruise ships in Australia will remain in place until at least mid-March.
The move comes after the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee deemed COVID-19 a significant public health risk internationally due to the rapid spread of the virus in many other countries.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the disease was continuing to spread overseas at a rapid rate.
‘The international world remains a challenging and dangerous environment and Australia won’t be fully safe until the international community is safe.
‘The risks abroad are enormous, and if we don’t maintain these important protections, then we won’t be protecting Australians.’
Scared: ‘It really worries me because mum and dad are in their late 80s – or dad certainly is’, Pete said of the thought of not seeing them