Australians returning from India could face jail

© Getty Images All flights from India, including repatriation flights, have been banned

Australian citizens returning home from India could face up to five years in jail and fines after the government made the journey temporarily illegal.

The health ministry said the ruling had been made “based on the proportion of people in quarantine who have acquired a Covid-19 infection in India”.

Earlier this week, Australia banned all flights from India.

There are an estimated 9,000 Australians in India, 600 of whom are classed as vulnerable.

One doctor told Australian TV that the government’s move was disproportionate to the threat posed by those returning from India.

“Our families are quite literally dying in India overseas… to have absolutely no way of getting them out – this is abandonment,” GP and health commentator Dr Vyom Sharmer said.

From Monday, anyone who has been in India within 14 days of their intended arrival date in Australia will be banned from entering the country.

Failing to comply with the new ruling could result in a five-year jail sentence, an A$66,000 (£37,000) fine, or both. The decision will be reviewed on 15 May, the health ministry said.

“The government does not make these decisions lightly,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said in the statement.

“However, it is critical the integrity of the Australian public health and quarantine systems is protected and the number of Covid-19 cases in quarantine facilities is reduced to a manageable level.”

The ministry said it had agreed with India to send emergency medical supplies, including ventilators and personal protective equipment.

“Our hearts go out to the people of India – and our Indian-Australian community,” the statement added.

India has seen cases soar to 19 million and deaths total 200,000. The past week has seen more than 300,000 new cases reported each day.

Australia has implemented a series of strict measures to keep the virus out of the country since the pandemic began in February 2020. While the country is enjoying near zero infections rates and has had far fewer fatalities than most countries, the strict lockdown policies have left many Australians stranded overseas.

The ban on Indian arrivals this week has marked an escalation – the first time the country has stopped evacuations and blocked citizens from returning home altogether. It’s intensified calls for more to be done to get Australians home, reports the BBC’s Frances Mao from Sydney.