Australian residents and citizens who have been in India within 14 days of the date they plan to return home will be banned from entering Australia as of Monday and those who disobey will face fines and jail, government officials said.
The temporary emergency determination, issued late on Friday, is the first time Australia has made it a criminal offense for its citizens to return home. The move is part of strict measures to stop travelers to Australia from India as it contends with a surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
The restrictions come into effect from May 3 and breaching the ban risks civil penalties and up to five years imprisonment, Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement.
As per officials, this move had left over 9,000 Australians stranded in India, 650 of whom are registered as vulnerable.
In addition, on Tuesday, Australia, which has no community transmissions, has introduced a temporary suspension of direct flights from India until mid-May.
The temporary emergency determination, issued late on Friday, is the first time Australia has made it a criminal offense for its citizens to return home. The move is part of strict measures to stop travelers to Australia from India as it contends with a surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
The restrictions come into effect from May 3 and breaching the ban risks civil penalties and up to five years imprisonment, Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement.
As per officials, this move had left over 9,000 Australians stranded in India, 650 of whom are registered as vulnerable.
In addition, on Tuesday, Australia, which has no community transmissions, has introduced a temporary suspension of direct flights from India until mid-May.
