May 10: Starting from May 15, Australia has announced restarting its repatriation flights from India as the government has decided to operate the flight once per 7 to 9 days. With this decision of the government, nearly 1,000 Australians are expected to return home by the end of June.
It is also said that the Australians who are in highly vulnerable conditions will be given priority during this process. The first repatriation flight will leave from India to Darwin on May 15 while another 2 flights will be scheduled from India to the Northern Territory during this month only. Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison had previously banned all incoming flights from India, aiming to protect the country from the worsening pandemic condition.
Other than this, the government of Australia has also announced a heavy penalty and jail term for citizens who would attempt to breach the travel ban by entering Australia via some other South Asia country. Following this, the decision received widespread criticism.
Also read: Canada announces ban on flights from India, Pakistan for next 30 days amid Covid surge
Australian Prime Minister quoted, “The global Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage outside Australia’s borders and the temporary pause on flights continues to give our quarantine facilities time to reduce infection rates and reduce the risk of Covid escaping into the community. Closing our international borders and the use of quarantine for returning Australians has protected the health of all Australians during the pandemic and given us a way of life that is the envy of the world.”
