- The Prime Minister has confirmed flights from India to Australia will remain banned beyond May 15, however, repatriation flights will soon resume
- Scott Morrison announced on Friday several government-organised planes will fly from India to the Northern Territory, to bring home stranded travellers
- Around 900 people in total will be evacuated from the COVID-19 stricken country and made to quarantine at the NT’s Howard Springs facility
- It’s estimated up to 9000 people remain trapped in India after the government closed Australia’s border late last month
- The PM has been criticised for threatening jail time and hefty fines for anyone caught breaching the ban
The Prime Minister has confirmed flights from India to Australia will remain banned beyond May 15, however, repatriation flights will soon resume.
Scott Morrison announced the news on Friday after his bi-weekly meeting with National Cabinet to discuss the pandemic and ongoing border restrictions.
He stated several government-organised planes will fly from India to the Northern Territory, brining home stranded travellers.
The PM said the flights will focus “on bringing those Australian citizens, residents, and families who have been registered with our high commission and consular offices within India.”
“It will also be targeted at those 900 most vulnerable of the group,” the PM said.
“I have asked DFAT to do a review of those registrations those who been registered in India to ensure they are current, and that will assist a proper prioritisation of placing people on those flights,” he added.
All of the people on board those flights will be required to take a rapid COVID-19 test and quarantine upon arrival at the Howard Springs facility in the NT.
The Prime Minister said his government will also work with Sri Lankan authorities to bring home stranded Australians who fled there from India.
Additionally, Scott Morrison is pushing on other Australian states and territories to commit to hosting returned Australians from those two regions.
“I have written to state and territory leaders to invite their participation in receiving direct repatriation flights from India over the coming weeks to further assist the efforts in Howard Springs,” he said.
All up, it’s estimated up to 9000 people remain trapped in India after the government closed Australia’s border late last month.
The Morrison Government also imposed hefty fines and up to five-years jail time as penalties for those arriving from India to Australia during the ban.
The PM and his government has been widely criticised for this move, with the United Nations Human Rights Agency stating it raised “serious concerns”.