A backpacker from Salisbury who's currently being quarantined in a windowless room in Peru might be unable to return to the UK for three months.

Chris Ramsay embarked on a solo trip around Africa and South America last November. But a few days after arriving in the Peruvian city of Cusco earlier this month, the entire country was put on lockdown due to confirmed cases of coronavirus.

While the new restrictions prevented him from catching his return flight on March 20, the former Jaguar Land Rover engineer was willing to respect the two-week quarantine period and wait until travel bans had been lifted.

However, just a few days later, things took a turn for the worse.

The 29-year-old explained: "On the 23rd of March two people in my hostel started showing symptoms and had to be tested.

"On Tuesday night a large number of police officers gathered outside and blocked off the streets and we were sent to our rooms at 10pm. Then on Wednesday around midday they told us we'd have to be in quarantine for one to three months because the tests were positive.

"Essentially we have to stay in windowless rooms for 23 hours a day and if breach the restrictions we could face five to 10 years in prison."

Salisbury Journal: The windowless room Chris shares with five people.The windowless room Chris shares with five people.

Following reports of other British nationals stranded in Peru, the Foreign Office has arranged repatriation flights to bring tourists home.

However, due to the strict rules imposed by the hostel, Chris will be unable to get on any of them.

"Dejected, that's one word to describe [how I feel]. Having to stay here sucks in that we're confined to our rooms for 23 hours but one of the biggest things is paying for a bed and meals every day for up to three months. The cost is going to rack up considerably to the point that I don't think I'll be able to afford it.

"The plan was for me to pay for a flight back anyway but I don't think I'll be able to afford that after paying for all this."

Around 10 British nationals are thought to be staying in the same hostel in Cusco, more than 1,000 kilometres from the capital Lima. They all face the same challenge.

Today, the Foreign Office confirmed the first repatriation flight, carrying 170 passengers, landed in London on Thursday.

More flights are expected to depart in the coming days.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “The Foreign Office has chartered three more flights for British travellers in Peru - as well as domestic flights to help those in Cusco. We continue to work around the clock to help British travellers struggling to get back to the UK and thank the Peruvian government for all their support in making this happen.

"British nationals in urgent distress and who need immediate consular assistance can call +442070081500. This number is available 24/7.”