An Australian man stuck in India says he hopes the government follows other countries and flies citizens home from the completely .
Jai Houltham from Brisbane had been travelling around India for about a month when he was told on Wednesday he needed to leave the Goa hostel he was staying in, because it would be closing down after India's strict lockdown rules to combat coronavirus were introduced.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi cancelled all international flights starting on Monday, leaving many stranded.
A deserted view of Maa Flyover on day 3 of the three week nationwide lockdown to check the spread of Coronavirus Source: Getty Images
Mr Houltham and his travelling a companion, another Queenslander he met while overseas, managed to find a second place to stay, but were told less than three hours after arriving they needed to move again.
Fortunately, replacement accommodation was arranged but it is at their own cost and conditions hardly holiday-like.
"At the moment we're not allowed to leave the resort we're in, we can't get any supplies such as food and water.
Luckily the resort is doing basic food for us, but it is quite expensive," Mr Houltham told AAP.
Part of India's lockdown rules include a curfew, which police are enforcing by patrolling the streets with bamboo sticks.
While on the phone with AAP from Goa, Mr Houltham said he could see a carload of police arriving to patrol Palolem Beach where he is staying.
"It's more police than I've seen here before," he said.
Mr Houltham said he did not feel unsafe, but having no clarity as to how or when he would be able to come back to Australia was troubling.
Shops closed on day 3 of the three week nationwide lockdown to check the spread of Coronavirus Source: Getty Images
"At the moment I don't necessarily feel unsafe but definitely uncertain about things.
"Everyone is saying the shutdown will be extended to three months ... and everyone knows that the Indian health system isn't fantastic, and once CV gets out it will probably spread very rapidly."
Mr Modi will permit government assist flights on commercial carriers to fly nationals home, with the UK, Germany, France and Russia in the process of doing so.
There has been no indication from the Australian government yet that they will follow suit.
The government's Smart Traveller website says people should listen to local advice.
"We suggest you continue to check with local authorities about available flights, however you may have to wait it out in that country until departure arrangements are made," the website states.
On Friday the government announced that all Australians returning from overseas would be placed into immediate quarantine at hotels and other appropriate facilities instead of being allowed to return home to self-isolate.
The crackdown will come into effect on Saturday night and be enforced by the states and territories with support from the Australian Defence Force.
Australians must stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people. Indoors, there must be a density of no more than one person per four square metres of floor space.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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