Australia and India Ban Citizens from Returning Home During Stay... "Up to 5 Years Imprisonment if Violated"

On the 24th, bodies of those who died from COVID-19 were being cremated at an open-air crematorium in New Delhi, the capital of India. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The Australian government will temporarily ban the return of its citizens who have stayed in India starting from the 3rd. This is to block the influx from India, where the spread of COVID-19 is severe.

According to major foreign media on the 1st, the return ban applies to Australian citizens who have stayed in India within the last 14 days. Violating this will result in a fine or imprisonment of up to 5 years. The entry ban is scheduled to be reconsidered on the 15th.

Health Minister Greg Hunt emphasized, "This is not a measure taken lightly by the government," adding, "It is important to fully protect public health and quarantine systems and to reduce the number of confirmed cases in quarantine facilities to a manageable level."

However, some have opposed the measure as discriminatory. A representative from the human rights organization Human Rights Watch criticized, calling it a "ridiculous measure," and said, "Instead of sending Australians returning from India to prison or punishing them harshly, a safe quarantine method should be found."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.