The President of Australia’s Peak Medical Association wrote to a national leader calling on the government to promote the repatriation of Australians from India and eliminate fines, imprisonment and other penalties for those who violate the current travel ban. wrote.
India is working on a surge in COVID-19 cases, with more than 300,000 cases reported daily over the last 10 days, bringing the total number of cases to nearly 2 million.
The Australian Government has repatriated more than 20,000 Australians from India, but more than 9,000 remain.
Meanwhile, the government has announced a suspension of flights from India to Australia until May 15. This is a 14-day period. Violations of the ban include penalties such as imprisonment or fines, each of which can result in imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of $ 66,000.
In a letter to the Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Dr. Omar Corsid, chairman of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), was banned from flying to control a large number of potentially infected travelers entering the national quarantine system. “It was justified,” he said.
“But given the exponential growth of infectious diseases in India, the Australians there are now facing health risks that require the Australian government’s health care,” said Korshid. I am. In the statement..
“The rapid spread of COVID-19 community infections in India can avoid Australians due to poor access to vaccination, poor or lack of access to health care, and a ban on travel to Australia. I am at risk of illness and death.
“Orders to imprison or fine those who may violate the current ban should actually help India by bringing Australians home to avoid the additional burden of collapse. A medical system that is seen by medical professionals as having a mean spirit at one point. “
He said the government’s response would set a precedent for the willingness to protect Australians abroad and demanded more chartered commercial aircraft to assist stranded travelers.
“Before the suspension is lifted, hotel quarantine arrangements need to be improved to minimize the risk of breach, especially after the World Health Organization confirmed the spread of the virus yesterday. The hotel’s quarantine arrangements are inadequate, “he added.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has endured criticisms of travel bans and fines. However, criminal penalties are less likely to be passed on to travelers.
“They are used responsibly and proportionally,” he told Todayshaw. “No one is going to go to jail.
“I don’t think it’s fair to suggest that these penalties in the most extreme form are likely to be imposed everywhere,” he added.
Morrison further said that travel restrictions were designed to prevent the onset of a “third wave” of infection in Australia.
“We intend to bring people back safely from India, but we must do it in a way that does not allow other countries to see the third wave of COVID-19.”
“Anyone who is outside India and has not passed through India for more than 14 days can come back from elsewhere.”