Australia defends sanctions on travellers from India

Australia defended its decision to penalise its own citizens entering the country within two weeks of being in Covid-ravaged India, saying it had “strong, clear and absolute” belief the move was legal.

Health Minister Greg Hunt yesterday pointed to the alarming surge of coronavirus cases in India and the pressure on Australia’s health system as reasons to pause travel until May 15.

Australia’s quarantine hotels have seen a 1,500% spike in Covid19 cases from India since March, raising questions about pre-departure testing in India and leading to this “agonising decision,” Hunt said.

“It’s a high-risk situation in India,” Hunt told a televised news briefing in Melbourne.

“The strong, clear view is that there has been no doubt in any of the Commonwealth advice about this measure or other measures,” he said, referring to Australia’s emergency biosecurity decision, which took effect yesterday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told 2GB radio the ban would be in place for as long as it is needed.

The Australian Human Rights Commission lambasted the decision, urging lawmakers to immediately review the restrictions.

The Commission will approach the government directly with its concerns, it said in a statement.

The hashtag #DictatorScott was trending on Twitter yesterday as Australians reacted to the strict new policy.

“We should be helping Aussies in India return home not jailing them. Let’s fix our quarantine system rather than leave our fellow Australians stranded,” Nationals senator Matthew Canavan tweeted.

Currently, returning residents and citizens must undergo a mandatory two-week hotel quarantine at their own expense.