Highlights
- Australian travel restrictions to remain in place for inbound travellers for "some months" says PM Scott Morrison
- Australia is looking forward to the development of a vaccine, but can't count on that: PM
- 10,350 foreign nationals have received inbound travel exemptions between 20 March & 30 June
Speaking after a National Cabinet meeting, Mr Morrison said that it was decided in the national cabinet meeting today that restrictions for incoming travellers will be continued “in their current form.”
"We look forward to at some point that that might be able to be altered, but at this point, we are not going to put any further strain on the quarantine arrangements around the country and that will remain in place now for some months," he said.
International arrivals have been restricted to about 4,000 a week for several weeks now. Today's announcement could result in a longer wait for Australians stranded offshore, many of whom are struggling to return home owing to a limited number of flights and caps on international arrivals.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP
“Australia is positioning itself well to take advantage and be in a position to be able to manufacture and supply vaccines should they be developed,” he said.
Mr Morrison, however, cautioned that while they are looking forward to the development of a vaccine, they cannot count on that.
'We have reduced the number of people who are coming through the borders'
The Prime Minister’s announcement on travel restrictions comes a day after the Acting Minister for Immigration Alan Tudge told the multicultural media on Thursday that he does not know when the international travel restrictions will be lifted for people other than the Australian citizens and permanent residents.
“The rules at the moment are that if you're an Australian or a permanent resident, then you, of course, are able to come back to Australia, but you have to do that two weeks of supervised quarantining.
“That applies to the close relatives as well of Australians and permanent residents. But that rule doesn't extend to a temporary visa holder whose partner may be overseas - at least at this stage,” said Minister Tudge.
He acknowledged that while it is difficult for people who have been stuck outside the country without their loved ones, the government is yet to take a decision on lifting the border restrictions for temporary migrants.
Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge Source: AAP
“Everybody has been impacted by this, but at the moment, we've got very strict numbers of people who are coming in through the borders. In fact, we've reduced that number just to ensure we stay on top of this pandemic. So, when we can open up that situation I don't know,” said Mr Tudge.
Nearly 10,000 visa holders received inbound travel exemptions between March and June: DHA
On March 20, the federal government closed its borders to all foreign nationals, including temporary visa holders, to limit the spread of coronavirus, leaving hundreds stranded outside the country, miles away from their homes and livelihoods.
Divya Sharma who remains stuck in north Indian state of Punjab with her husband and their one-year-old son says she is slowly losing hope of returning to their lives in Perth.
Divya Sharma and Ravinder Sharma with their son. Source: Supplied by Ms Sharma
“We came here for my husband’s eye surgery in March and have been stuck here ever since with no hope to return and no financial means to survive.
“We have no jobs, my professional year has been on hold, my son’s vaccination is due -in short, our life has been temporarily suspended,” says the 28-year-old.
Ms Sharma’s predicament resonates with hundreds of temporary migrants blocked out of the country some have called home for many years, but remain upended due to the pandemic enforced border closures and travel bans.
The Department of Home Affairs has told SBS Punjabi, between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020, 10,350 foreign nationals have had their inbound travel exemption request approved to travel to Australia.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
