Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne has thanked Uruguay's government for their assistance in facilitating the return of Australians and New Zealanders who have been stranded for more than two weeks aboard the coronavirus-infected Greg Mortimer cruise ship.

The charter flight carrying 112 passengers - 96 Australians and 16 New Zealanders - arrived in Melbourne just before 7am on Sunday.

The evacuated passengers were repatriated using what the Uruguayan government called a "humanitarian corridor" with strict biosecurity measures.

Senator Payne thanked Uruguay's Foreign Minister, Ernesto Talvi, in particular for his "sincere assistance in recent times to ensure the [Australian] passengers have been able to head home".

Many thanks @ernesto_talvi for your sincere assistance in recent times to ensure the 🇦🇺 passengers have been able to head home 🇦🇺 🇺🇾 #COVID19 #Workingtogether #staysafe https://t.co/Pd4soBdYj8 — Marise Payne (@MarisePayne) April 11, 2020

The operator of the Greg Mortimer ship, Aurora Expeditions, organised the flight, which left the Uruguayan capital Montevideo on Saturday morning local time.

"They arrived. Task accomplished!" Mr Talvi tweeted.

He earlier tweeted video showing passengers boarding the charter flight expressing their joy by kissing the tarmac.

Se arrodilló, le dio beso a nuestra tierra y se fue. Ahora sí, todos a bordo del avión, a nuestros queridos amigos australianos y neozelandeses les decimos: muy buen viaje y hasta muy pronto. Safe travels! Hope to see you back soon!

🇺🇾 🤝 🇦🇺 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/A0wAXK4kgS — Ernesto Talvi (@ernesto_talvi) April 11, 2020

Aurora Expeditions confirmed this week 128 of 217 people on board, nearly 60 per cent, had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Eight people were transferred to Montevideo hospitals with "life-threatening" conditions.

All are in a stable condition and Uruguay's foreign ministry told AFP three Australians who received hospital treatment were allowed to fly home as they were in sufficiently good health to travel.

The Australian and New Zealand passengers will now go into 14 days of isolation in a hotel, after being tested by medical staff at the airport.

Kiwi passengers will undergo medical assessments before being transferred directly to a charter flight to New Zealand.

AAP

Five Australians hospitalised in Uruguay

However, the Foreign Affairs Department said on Friday a total of five Australians had been evacuated from the Greg Mortimer and hospitalised in Montevideo.

Uruguay had originally refused to let passengers off the cruise ship but later sent medical teams on board and monitored the situation via WhatsApp.

READ MORE Greg Mortimer: Passengers to be evacuated on medical flight as number of coronavirus cases on board grows

Most of the ill crew and passengers have mild symptoms and are stable, Uruguay public health ministry director-general Karina Rando said.

"We have intensive care beds, doctors are available and we are not putting the care of our population at risk," Ms Rando told the Associated Press.

"We have the logistical and professional capacity to serve these people."

'Sitting ducks'

Last week, SBS News revealed that one person on board had tested positive to the virus, with passengers fearing an outbreak after a number of passengers and crew members began showing symptoms.

At the time, Sydney resident Nicholas Bennett told SBS News he was extremely concerned for his parents - Phil, 77, and Elesa, 72 - who were on a "trip of a lifetime" when the pandemic hit.

"They're pretty much sitting ducks now," he said.

Following the announcement that they would be able to fly home, the couple's daughter, Jean McKinnon, said the family was "over the moon" but wouldn't celebrate until the couple were on the plane.

The Greg Mortimer departed on 15 March on a voyage to Antarctica and South Georgia when their adventure was cut short on March 20 due to the nearest South American countries - Argentina and Chile - closing their borders and imposing lockdowns.

The ship traveled to Montevideo as it was the nearest port still open, where it remained docked for more than two weeks since 27 March.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.

Additional reporting: AFP