AUSTRALIA MAY JAIL CITIZENS RETURNING AFTER VISITING INDIA

Australia is considering pressing criminal charges on all travellers, including its citizens, who transit through or from India to enter the country despite a travel ban enforced to avoid a Covid-19 outbreak, according to local media reports.

Entering Australia within two weeks of being in a hot spot area could be punishable with a hefty fine of up to $66,000 or five years’ jail, according to Nine News. The charges could also apply for travellers from other hot spots.

NEW DELHI: The Australian government is considering pressing criminal charges on all travellers, including its citizens, who transit through or from India to enter the country despite a travel ban enforced to avoid a Covid-19 outbreak, according to Australian media reports.

Entering Australia within two weeks of being in a hot spot area could be punishable with a hefty fine of up to $66,000 or even five years’ jail, according to Nine News.

The punitive move comes after two Australian cricketers who had been in India for IPL 2021 returned home on Thursday after transiting through Qatar, The Guardian reported.

The proposed criminal charges could also apply for travellers from other Covid-19 hot spots.

Australia has already suspended direct flights connecting India until mid-May due to a massive surge in infections.

More than 36,000 Australians are stuck in various countries who are looking to return home, but are unable to do so because of the quarantine limits on how many individuals can enter Australia every week, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, adding that at least 9,000 of those stranded abroad are currently in India and over 600 of them are classified as vulnerable.

Nine News reported that health minister Greg Hunt is planning to invoke powers under the country’s Biosecurity Act - the legislation that is used to close borders - as soon as Saturday.