Due to a significant drop in COVID-19 cases in India, the Australian government has relaxed a few restrictions for travel to and from the country. Meanwhile, the threat of a third COVID-19 wave in India continues to haunt.
Recently on the 10th of August 2021, the Australian government removed India from the list of ‘high risk’ countries and withdrew additional restrictions imposed on outbound and inbound travel from the country. While travel restrictions remain, the Australian Border Force’s (ABF) exemption criteria for travel to and from India has now returned to global settings, equivalent to travel norms set for the rest of the world.
Highlights:
1. Australia removed India from their list of high-risk countries.
2. Citizens and permanent residents seeking travel to India are now subject to the same exemption criteria as other countries.
3. Temporary visa holders stuck in India can now get more grounds for the inward travel exemption.
Cases acquired from India well below threshold: Department of Health
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, a federal Department of Health spokesperson said that the chief medical officer undertakes an assessment that considers the proportion of cases among international arrivals by jurisdiction and the identification of potential acquisition from countries of concern. The outcomes then inform future action, with any decisions needing collective agreement by all states and territories. The spokesperson added that a pause in flights from India and enhanced pre-departure arrangements allowed the number of cases from there to reduce to a manageable level.
Impact on temporary visa holders stuck in India
Until 9 August, individuals seeking an exemption for travel to or from India could only be approved in limited circumstances due to the unprecedented spread of the infection that had challenged the nation in April and had also posed a risk to countries like Australia, which were faring better than most countries.
But as the new number of cases decline in India, the Morrison government has expanded the exemption criteria to include more grounds for travel to and from the country. This has brought much-needed respite to Australian citizens and permanent residents seeking outward travel exemptions, and temporary visa holders stuck in India, desperate to return to their lives Down Under.
Many Indian-Australians felt betrayed when the federal government put a temporary ban on travel to and from India at the time of its deadly second coronavirus wave in April.
The ban carried the threat of criminal action for anyone trying to enter Australia from India, including five years of imprisonment and fines of up to $66,000 for individuals defying these restrictions.
Defending the decision at the time, the government had said that the measures are based on medical advice to protect the Australian community.
What is the current situation in India?
While low coronavirus positivity holds out hope for the people of India, some states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, are emerging as a cause for concern.
We hope that the situation gets better with time. Meanwhile, this news is a ray of hope for many citizens who are unable to return to Australia since the second wave in India.