Highlights
- There will no changes to international arrival caps: Prime Minister Scott Morrison
- There will be negotiations with individual states before 15 February about whether caps can change
- New protocols for international arrivals have now come into effect
Mr Morrison said there will be negotiations with individual states before 15 February about whether the caps can be increased for Australians seeking to return home.
“I just talked about 20 flights that we're putting on to bring Australians home and expanding Howard Springs to do that as well. We're looking at providing additional capacity, which can come through raising the caps again when that's safe to do so,” the prime minister told reporters after the National Cabinet meeting on Friday.
“That's what we'll discuss specifically with premiers and chief ministers over the next week or so.”
'No changes to international arrival caps'
This comes after the federal government slashed the international arrival caps by 50 per cent in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland, earlier this month.
Sydney-based Monica Sharma had travelled to Chandigarh in northern Indian in March along with her nine-year-old daughter to tend to her ailing mother.
The 33-year-old accountant who has since been separated from her husband said the endless wait to return home has put a strain on her family life.
“My daughter cries for her father every single day which has started to affect her health and has become a huge cause of concern for us as parents," Ms Sharma said.
“I’d like to appeal to the Morrison government to please increase the caps at the earliest or send more flights than just the 20 they announced last week because when split into different countries, there will be hardly any for India where most of the stranded Australians are stuck."
Will there be any additional repatriation flights?
Travellers are seen at Overseas Arrivals and Departures (OAD) at Sydney's International Airport in Sydney, Monday, December 17, 2018. Source: AAP Image/Brendan Esposito
Nearly 79,000 Australians have been able to return home since the middle of September, but close to 37,000 continue to remain stranded around the world, of which the largest cohort of citizens and permanent residents remain stuck in India.
On questioned, if the government will organise more repatriation flights in addition to the 20 flights that were announced last week, Mr Morrison said the government's priority is "health and safety within Australia".
“We've put on additional 20 to the first 70. Our first priority is the health and safety within Australia and then to seek and to bring and support as many Australians seeking to come home as soon as possible," the prime minister said.
New protocols for international arrivals:
People wearing face masks are seen waiting to board a flight to Sydney at Melbourne. Source: AAP
Australians seeking to return from overseas will now have to adhere to new rules, as the country seeks to keep new strains of COVID-19 at bay.
Anyone travelling to Australia on or after 22 January 2021 must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to the airline when checking in for your flight at the departure point.
Incoming passengers must be tested 72 hours or less prior to departure and present a negative result when checking in prior to boarding your flight.
Anyone transiting through a third country on their return journey to Australia, should check on any local requirements at the transit destination and confirm with the airline any specific requirements for onward travel.
If an incoming passenger or a member of their travelling group tests positive, they will not be allowed to travel to Australia.
Masks must be worn on all international flights, including at airports.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 meters away from others.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments.
