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Pregnant foreign woman Laura Lima reunited with Perth husband Shannon Brincat minutes before country’s borders close

Sarah Steger and Joey CatanzaroThe West Australian
VideoThe last people to arrive at Perth Airport before the borders closed landed in WA last night.

One of the last foreigners to arrive in Australia before the country’s borders closed last night landed in Perth to an emotional reunion with her partner, which captivated the hearts of a room full of onlookers in the arrivals lounge.

Laura Lima, a pregnant UN worker stationed in Mozambique, was due to land in WA on Qatar flight QR900 at 6.05pm last night - five minutes after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison closed the country’s borders to all foreigners and non-residents.

The only reason she was not among those refused entry at customs was because her service miraculously came in 16 minutes early.

“It was the most stressful 28 hours of my life. I was literally following the time minute by minute,” Ms Lima, who turned 41 years old yesterday, said.

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Before she landed, Ms Lima’s partner Shannon Brincat, who lives in Perth, was seen anxiously staring up at the arrivals board, eagerly waiting for the green words “Landed” to appear next to the Qatar flight.

“It’s very surreal and we’re just overjoyed she’s here,” Mr Brincat said.

“We just can’t believe it.”

Shannon Brincat and Laura Lima.
Camera IconShannon Brincat and Laura Lima. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Touching down with 11 minutes to spare, Ms Lima arrived to an emotionally-charged, tearful embrace from Mr Brincat.

The touching reunion captured the attention of dozens of onlookers.

Ms Lima, who is not an Australian citizen, was originally meant to land on a different flight this morning.

“We had to change the flight, at great expense, so she could get in, but it was worth it,” Mr Brincat said.

Shannon Brincat and Laura Lima.
Camera IconShannon Brincat and Laura Lima. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Ms Lima added that if she hadn’t made the cut off, travelling back would have “been an even bigger strain on the baby, so that’s another huge relief”.

“I wanted to make it in time to see his (Mr Brincat’s) dad before he passed,” she said.

“I just can’t believe I made it.”

The pair were among several hundreds of people waiting for loved ones at the Arrivals Lounge, many of whom were holding flowers or welcome home balloons.

Others were armed with spare face masks, plastic gloves and disinfectant spray, which one father used to douse his daughter’s luggage in for several minutes.

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