Australia to lift ban on citizens returning from Covid-hit India: PM Morrison

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Australia to lift ban on citizens returning from Covid-hit India: PM Morrison

Australia will lift a ban on its citizens returning from Covid-hit India from next Saturday and the first repatriation flight will land in the city of Darwin the same day, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday.

The Australian government, for the first time in history, recently imposed a temporary ban on its citizens from returning home, if they have spent time in India up to 14 days before flying back.

The government threatened to prosecute them with a possibility of five years of jail term or a penalty of 66,000 Australian dollars (USD 50,899). The move triggered a backlash with several lawmakers, doctors, civil societies and businessmen criticising the government for "abandoning" Australians in India and threatening the travellers with a hefty penalty and a jail term.

The government's order on the matter is set to expire on May 15.

Following the National Security Committee on Friday, Morrison agreed it saw "no need to extend it beyond that date".

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/australia-to-lift-ban-on-citizens-returning-from-covid-hit-india-next-saturday-pm-morrison-101620369161069.html