Amid rising desperation among people who are stuck in Australia on temporary visas and want to go back to India, the Indian High Commission in Canberra has again warned against rumours about a charter flight to India.
Highlights:
- A large number of people have requested the Indian government return them home.
- India has extended its ban on all scheduled international commercial passenger flights until midnight local time on May 3, 2020.
“It is noticed that rumours are circulating in social media about a “repatriation/charter flight” to India from Australia. It is reiterated that no repatriation/charter flights are being processed at this Mission or our Consulates in Australia,” the High Commission tweeted.
Thousands of people are in Australia on temporary or student visas and want to go back to India. Many of them have urged the government of India for arranging a rescue flight to bring them home.
However, India has extended the ban on all scheduled international commercial passenger flights until midnight local time on May 3, 2020.
Anushka Singh, a student in Sydney, is among those who want to go back as soon as possible. She says many people are suffering in Australia as they cannot afford to stay.
“The situation is getting worse. We have to pay rent here, which is probably $200 a week. So even if some money comes from home, it is not easy for everybody to survive here and ask for money to buy grocery and other necessities,” Ms Singh told SBS Hindi.
None of us is saying that we will not do the quarantine. Everybody is ready to be quarantined. We just want to get back to our country because we will feel safer there.
Many are now looking at other options such as a chartered flight. Plans about a chartered flight to India are floating in WhatsApp and other social media groups.
Anushka Singh says a lot of people are planning a charter flight and says she doesn’t know whether it’s true or not.
The Indian High Commission has made it clear that no such flights are planned.
“As and when there are developments with regard to the possibility of travel to India, in accordance with decisions of Government of India, relevant information will be circulated through official social media platforms,” it said in a tweet.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
