Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt issued a statement on April 30 saying all Australian residents and citizens who had been to India within 14 days were barred from entering the country and violators faced imprisonment and fines.
Australia suspended flights from India to Australia until May 15 as the outbreak of Coronavirus in India worsened, Reuters reported. Subsequently, after a risk assessment, the Australian Department of Health decided that the temporary ban on entry of Australian citizens and residents from India would take effect from May 3, and that violators of the ban would face up to five years in prison or a fine of A$66,600, possibly both.
“It’s a tough measure, but it’s necessary.” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the government would not make these decisions lightly and it was vital to maintain Australia’s public health and quarantine system and ensure the number of Coronavirus patients in quarantine facilities was reduced to manageable levels.
In addition to Australia, the United States, Britain, France, Germany and other countries and regions have imposed entry restrictions on India.
