With 9000 Aussies Waiting To Return Home, ScoMo Will Only Fly Back 200 A Week
After a week of criticism, the Prime Minister has announced there will be no extension of the ban after Saturday, May 15.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced his plans for repatriation flights after the India travel ban wraps up on Saturday, May 15.
There will be one flight per week, with each plane holding 200 passengers, the ABC reported. There are an estimated 9000 Australians stranded in India at the moment.
One flight a week to repatriate Australians trapped in India? That means last 200 or so of all Australians currently in India won't be arriving back in Australia until February 2022 at the earliest. There are no words to describe the level of vile malice residing within Morrison.
— no_filter_Yamba (@no_filter_Yamba) May 7, 2021
The news comes after four days of criticism levelled against the government, calling the ban ‘unethical‘, racist, and unprecedented for keeping citizens out of their home country.
One repatriation flight per week, no word yet on commercial flights, and pre-flight testing so Covid-19 positive people can't come back.
This isn't prioritising the vulnerable – this is fortress Australia, and returning the bare minimum of citizens to calm backlash.#auspol
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) May 6, 2021
Morrison told reporters in Newcastle that the travel ban will remain in place, but there are no plans for an extension.
South Korea arranges flights to repatriate from India
"Where the bloody hell are you?" must seem like a sick joke to all those overseas who
"still call Australia home"
Meanwhile, back home, the numbers rise in those who feel that #ScottyDoesNothing is a sick joke on all of us.— Sheoakbloke (@Sheoakbloke1) May 6, 2021
The first flight will land in the Northern Territory and will prioritise urgent cases, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Citizens and residents will have to return negative tests before boarding.
Repatriated travellers will be quarantined in the Howard Springs facility near Darwin.
Dear #ScottyDoesNothing
You now suggest repatriation plans are on track. Quick question. Are these plans for our Christian caucasian friends stuck in India or for the 9000 or so brown folk too? #India #auspol What if the Indians to convert to Hillsong? @mj_slats @JulianBurnside— Sydney Australia (@SpookyBanana) May 6, 2021
Meanwhile, the Australian cricket team — over in India for the 2021 Premier League — were relocated to the Maldives this week, including former cricketer Michael Slater who criticised ScoMo’s handling of the travel ban.
Scott Morrison’s Australia: IPL Cricketers airlifted from India to Maldives. ONE gvt flight for 200 ppl planned for 9000 stranded Aussies. Incompetent. Immoral. #auspol2021
— Catherine (@cathbalmain) May 6, 2021