Australia’s ‘extreme’ India travel ban: how the story unfolded

The Morrison government has battled a significant backlash from within its own ranks over the controversial decision to criminalise returning to Australia from Covid-ravaged India. More than 9,000 Australians remained trapped in India by the travel ban. Many travelled before the crisis to visit sick and dying relatives, and say they are angry at their treatment. Here is some of the reaction to that decision in the week after it was announced

[Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

1. Borders are a Federal responsibility and biosecure facilities at remote locations should've been built by now.
2. If you travel overseas during a pandemic, you do so at your own risk. Who could not foresee border closure as a possibility after hearing the word "pandemic"?

[suehowie]

Geez was there this whoha when NZ did the same thing?

[Satu_Supari]

The decision was nothing but racist.
No one is saying that you should not impose travel ban. But 5 year imprisonment is very harsh. Why wasn't same punishment prescribed with UK travel ban.
Maybe because majority of Australians stranded there were of white skin.

[dodgygoose]

A humanitarian country yes Australia is, this LNP government which couldn't even run a chook raffle is not.

[alexisbendelamousseauchocolat]

I miss Australia, my managers at work, Mr. Ashley Bryt and Mrs. Georgina Pye.

[universalking]

Red Zone area must immediately Stop/banned.

[georgehastings]

'I'm stranded' by The Saints is the popular song for Aussies oversea.

[samcomo]

finally, Chinese government doesn't feel alone more

[sylverrain]

No, Australian racist? You don’t say.🧐🥱

[yunkil]

How is aussies returning from anywhere in the world different to India? We have daily quotas so it's not like those from India would change the quarantine conditions.

[bldhoney]

Criminalisation is ridiculous and racist. Ridiculously racist.

[johnsmusicpassions]

if australians took it upon themselves to travel to other countries with high covid rates then that was their choice - the consequence is that australia reletively covid free wants to stay that way and i agre with their policy to close their borders to everyone wanting to enter from india

[rustysky]

Sensational news, I'm glad what the government did.

[audi]

Questions I have for these people: did you depart Australia on your own free will during the pandemic?

If so being ‘stuck’ in India, or anywhere abroad is your own fault, it’s the chance you took. Australia should protect itself from rampant variants of the virus. Although it feels like COVID has gone on too long already, it is still quite a new situation

[MelaniaRose]

It’s a temporary ban to control and place measures due to the high rates of infection coming from India. Where are our human rights in Australia if a breakout occurs ? Constant lockdowns, a burdened healthcare system and an economic crash! Will India pay for bills ? It’s ridiculous to act entitled and demand so much, when other Australians are still waiting patiently to come home!

[jeoshanbhag]

When will Australia prepare when everyone is vaccinate and Covid comes again .. but this time not coz of India … what is the bio security law

[MFYouTube]

The song playing is «Sorry» by Alex Kehm. You‘re welcome.

[bratufp]

Well done federal court. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[tarunbansal]

Now we are talking about the country which detained its own citizen, assuming she was an illegal German backpacker 😁

[bostonblackie]

Australia is an Island think of having borders. Canada eventually stopped flights coming in, so people would fly to a city in the States and cross the border into Canada even though the border is supposed to be closed with the exception of essentials. There is always away round everything. Your PM has set rules but people will figure away around it and if coming from India your number conserning the virus will go up. Canada already has the Indian virus and just about every variant out there. An American doctor working at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland said this virus will be around for about five years. Because of the way she spoke and information given I believe her, so far she has proven to be right.