Daily medical check-ups and support from the Australian government ensured COVID-19 quarantine was manageable for Hammad Hanif and his family.
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The family, from Taree on the NSW Mid North Coast, has detailed the quarantine process and what it was like living in self isolation in a Sydney apartment for a fortnight.
They arrived back in Australia on a Qatar Airways flight with other Australian passengers who were stranded in Pakistan.
Once they landed in Sydney, passengers were split into three groups: singles, couples and families.
Each person received a body temperature check before the groups were escorted to buses.
Nasal swabs were not necessary at this time as no one showed symptoms of the virus ahead of quarantine.
The Taree family was then transported to the Liv Apartments where a fully furnished, two bedroom apartment (with a balcony) was waiting for them.
"We didn't even have to ask them (apartment managers), they were so considerate and thoughtful they knew we had kids with us so they arranged a full apartment for us," Hammad explained.
"They were so helpful, whatever we needed we just gave them a call and they brought it to our room."
Meals were provided by Element Bar and Grill.
Hammad and Sara were concerned about keeping the little ones occupied.
"We were worried at the start about how we would stay with three little kids inside a room," Hammad said.
The family used online shopping throughout the quarantine to get basic supplies for the children.
Medical staff checked in with the family each day to see how they were travelling and if anyone had coronavirus symptoms.
Mental health professionals also made contact throughout quarantine.
We didn't feel it that hard because we already practiced that in Pakistan, we were already locked down in our homes.
- Hammad Hanif
When Hammad told them the children were slightly stressed out with no activities, they sprung into action.
"The very next day they provided us with activity books, story books, colouring in books and toys for the kids," Hammad said.
He said it was an example of the government making the quarantine process as smooth as possible.
"This is how considerate and thoughtful they were looking after their citizens back in the country and going through the hardship in quarantine," Hammad said.
"We must appreciate the positives and what they've done to look after their citizens.
"The only problem was getting into the country but when we got back in we were looked after."
On May 10, the family celebrated Ayat's birthday.
"She was quite sad at the time and we were too. It wasn't being in the hotel but more the occasion," Sara said.
To make the day a bit brighter, apartment staff delivered a birthday cake.
"That made us a bit happier," Hammad said.
On the last day of the quarantine, doctors visited the apartment for medical check-ups. This was to ensure they could return to Taree.
"Once we were all checked up, we were given a certificate to say we'd completed our 14 day quarantine, were healthy and good to leave," Hammad said.
With the family back in the familiar surroundings of the Manning, Hammad said the overall experience "wasn't too bad".
"The government has looked after us very well and I think it couldn't have been done any better," Hammad said.
"We had to stay in the room which we should have and the only hard bit was being stuck in an apartment and not being able to get out.
"We didn't feel it that hard because we already practised that in Pakistan, we were already locked down in our homes.
"When we reached Australia it was kind of the same."
He was unsure why others didn't have the same experience.
"I got online and saw some comments from people whinging about being stuck in quarantine and nothing was done," Hammad said.
"The Australian government did what they could."
