China News Service, May 7 According to Reuters, Australian Prime Minister Morrison said on the 7th local time that Australia will lift the ban on returning home citizens from India next week.
Data map: Australian Prime Minister Morrison
In view of the serious out-of-control of the epidemic in India, in order to curb the introduction of the virus, the Australian authorities announced last week that all travelers from India, including Australian citizens, are prohibited from entering the country. Violators will face fines or imprisonment.
This policy has attracted severe criticism from Australian parliamentarians, foreigners and Indian expatriates.
Morrison said: "The ban we have implemented is very effective. It is doing what we need it to do, which is to ensure that we can do everything to prevent Australia's third wave of COVID-19."
He said that Australia will arrange three chartered flights from May 15 to 31 to take Australian citizens stranded in India back home, and about 900 Australian citizens considered "the most vulnerable" will be taken back first.
The government estimates that there are approximately 9,000 Australian citizens and permanent residents in India.
According to reports, passengers must be tested negative for the new crown when they return, and they are required to undergo a 14-day hotel quarantine for incoming passengers.
But Morrison said that his government is unlikely to resume direct commercial flights from India in the short term, and instead requires the authorities to accept more charter flights to evacuate overseas Chinese.
At the same time, Morrison denied that such a tough approach would harm Australia's bilateral relations with India.
He said that he will talk to Indian Prime Minister Modi later on the 7th.