Narrative:

About 45 minutes from landing at ZZZZ1; we received a message from dispatch advising us that a natural event was being tracked in an area that would interfere with our approach and landing. Dispatch was working to provide us with a diversion airport suitable to the aircraft we were flying. Workload was compressed due to fuel range; crew duty; and covid-19 regulations which were in effect. During descent we communicated via ACARS that the crew would need rest accommodations at the landing airport. I believe I failed to communicate my precise intentions to dispatch concerning this phase. We were told that management was working to find a suitable diversion situation for us. At this time the [captain] and myself agreed to get the airplane on the ground safely and then decide what we would do from there. We set up and conducted an approach to runway xx in ZZZZ. Upon landing we were given a gate; but were unable to open doors due to the virus lock down. We agreed that our only reasonable option was to take fuel and dispatch back to ZZZ; and this we did. We discussed our best way of conducting this flight and signed a fit for duty release. After takeoff on runway xx; we proceeded to ZZZ and landed without incident.the divert was unexpected; but of course this sometimes happens. The covid-19 procedures in effect at our divert airports was definitely a factor. Also; the aircraft we were flying was further limited due to it not being authorized for certain operations in this country. We experienced ACARS no comm at certain phases of descent. We didn't feel we were getting a good picture of what our options would be once we landed; but decided to proceed one step at a time. I take full responsibility for my decision to continue the flight to ZZZ. We actively used tools we had been taught in training. I feel under the onerous conditions of the situation that we acted in a safe and responsible manner.I believe this situation was made more difficult due to the unusual conditions of covid-19. The only thing I would suggest; is to use another type aircraft for operations to ZZZZ1; as this would provide us with more flexibility during a divert.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier First Officer reported that after having to divert they were unable to disembark the aircraft due to COVID-19 restrictions at that airport. The crew decided to refuel and return to the origin airport.

Narrative: About 45 minutes from landing at ZZZZ1; we received a message from Dispatch advising us that a natural event was being tracked in an area that would interfere with our approach and landing. Dispatch was working to provide us with a diversion airport suitable to the aircraft we were flying. Workload was compressed due to fuel range; crew duty; and COVID-19 regulations which were in effect. During descent we communicated via ACARS that the crew would need rest accommodations at the landing airport. I believe I failed to communicate my precise intentions to Dispatch concerning this phase. We were told that management was working to find a suitable diversion situation for us. At this time the [Captain] and myself agreed to get the airplane on the ground safely and then decide what we would do from there. We set up and conducted an approach to Runway XX in ZZZZ. Upon landing we were given a gate; but were unable to open doors due to the virus lock down. We agreed that our only reasonable option was to take fuel and Dispatch back to ZZZ; and this we did. We discussed our best way of conducting this flight and signed a fit for duty release. After takeoff on Runway XX; we proceeded to ZZZ and landed without incident.The divert was unexpected; but of course this sometimes happens. The COVID-19 procedures in effect at our divert airports was definitely a factor. Also; the aircraft we were flying was further limited due to it not being authorized for certain operations in this country. We experienced ACARS no comm at certain phases of descent. We didn't feel we were getting a good picture of what our options would be once we landed; but decided to proceed one step at a time. I take full responsibility for my decision to continue the flight to ZZZ. We actively used tools we had been taught in training. I feel under the onerous conditions of the situation that we acted in a safe and responsible manner.I believe this situation was made more difficult due to the unusual conditions of COVID-19. The only thing I would suggest; is to use another type aircraft for operations to ZZZZ1; as this would provide us with more flexibility during a divert.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.