Australia – India Travel Restrictions Tightened | Australia Tightens Travel Restrictions To and From India
At yesterday’s National Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced travel restrictions to and from India have tightened as India experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Here’s a summary:
- Flights from India to Australia will be reduced by 30%;
- People who have been in ‘high-risk’ countries like India will need to have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before departing to Australia;
- An ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ Travel Exemption is required to fly to India and will be limited to very urgent cases such as:
- Critical work to assist the country of destination’s COVID-19 response;
- Persons undertaking travel in Australia’s national interest;
- Persons seeking urgent medical treatment for a critical illness that cannot be treated in Australia.
In other news, as announced by the WA Premier, Mark McGowan today, WA will enter a 3 day lockdown from 12am tonight and all international flights into the State have been capped to 512 arrivals per week until further notice.
What This Means for Travellers to and From ‘High Risk’ Countries
Unfortunately, tighter restrictions will make it even more difficult for families to reconnect and for critical workers to travel between Australia and ‘high risk’ countries such as India.
Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents requesting a Travel Exemption to fly to India will need to demonstrate evidence of ‘very urgent circumstances’ when previously travel for weddings and funerals was considered. It may also be very difficult to return.
Reduced flights will make it even harder to come to Australia from India – including for returning Australian citizens and Permanent Residents, as well as Visa Holders with a Travel Exemption. Travellers should plan for delays.
The announcement seems to formalise the Government’s approach to further restrict travel to and from ‘high risk’ countries.
Mr Morrison yesterday indicated that in addition to India, other countries may be classified ‘high-risk’ with increased restrictions – but he did not confirm which countries.
He did mention the UK has taken a similar approach. The UK’s ‘red list’ currently classifies India, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Pakistan and Bangladesh as ‘high-risk’.
Interstaff | Australia India Travel Restrictions
It is sad to see the rate of COVID-19 cases worsen in some parts of the world – we hope you and your family are safe.
Australia’s international border is still closed except to those with a Travel Exemption to enter or leave Australia or travellers via the Australia-New Zealand Travel Bubble and flights are still limited.
You may also find our other insights helpful:
Leaving Australia in the COVID-19 Era
The 408 Pandemic Visa | What you need to know
Applying for a Partner Visa in the COVID-19 Era
Should you require assistance with your visa circumstances or travel exemption options, we encourage you to get in touch with Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents at visas@interstaff.com or +61 8 9221 3388.
Source:
The Department of Home Affairs
