Australia to Start Repatriation Flights from India after May 15

Following a contentious suspension, Australia will resume repatriation flights for some Indian citizens on May 15, according to PTI, citing Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The Australian government had placed a temporary ban on Australian people returning home after spending up to 14 days in India, warning that they could face up to five years in prison or fines. According to the BBC, over 9,000 Australians are currently in India.

The rule, which was in place until May 15, had been widely panned. It was also challenged in Sydney's federal court by a 73-year-old Australian who had been stuck in Bengaluru since March of last year.

On Friday, Morrison said his government will begin bringing back “vulnerable Australians”.

“What we will be doing is receiving our first repatriation flight into the Northern Territory as part of the charter arrangements we have to bring back those first people from India at that time,” Morrison added. “In addition, there will be rapid antigen testing put in place for everyone getting on the flights.”

Evacuees will be taken to the Howard Springs quarantine facility in the Northern Territory, which will be expanded to provide 2,000 beds by next week, according to the BBC. “[We] will be at a level by May 15 to ensure, that as planned, we will be able to return to having those repatriation flights from India,” the Australian prime minister said.

Morrison, however, added that the original decision to put in place the biosecurity order until May 15 had “proved very effective” and it will run its full course until that time without any change. But it will not be extended beyond that date, he said.