Australian citizens returning home from India could face up to five years in prison and a fine after the government made the trip illegal for a while.
The Department of Health said the decision was made “based on the proportion infected people with Covid-19 in India”.
Ban On All Flights From India
Earlier this week, Australia banned all flights from India.
There are an estimated 9,000 Australians in India, 600 of whom are considered endangered.
This will be the first time Australians have been criminalised for returning to their country, Australian media report.
One doctor told the ABC that the government’s action was disproportionate to the threat posed by those returning from India.
“Our families are dying in India overseas … with no way out of it – this is abandonment,” GP and health commentator Dr Vyom Sharmer said.
Penalty For Breaking The New Rule
As of Monday, anyone who has been in India within 14 days from their intended arrival in Australia will be denied entry to the country.
Failure to comply with the new decision could result in a sentence of five years in prison, a fine of A $ 66,000 (£ 37,000), or both. The decision will be reviewed on May 15, the health department said.
“The government does not take these decisions lightly,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement.
“However, it is important to protect the integrity of Australia’s public health system and that the number of Covid-19 cases in segregation centers has been reduced to a manageable level.”
Indian COVID Scenario
The department says it has agreed with India to send emergency medical supplies including respirators and protective equipment.
“We sympathize with the people of India – as well as our Indian and Australian communities,” the statement said.
India has seen cases increase to 19 million and the death toll has risen to 200,000. Last week saw more than 300,000 new cases reported each day.
Australia has implemented a series of drastic measures to keep the virus out of the country since the pandemic began in February 2020.
While the country enjoys almost no rate of infection and has fewer deaths than most countries, strict lock policies have left many Australians homeless overseas.
