Due to the high proportion of positive cases arising from arrivals from India, I consider a pause until 15 May 2021 on arrivals from India to be an effective and proportionate measure to maintain the integrity of Australia’s quarantine system.
This measure will likely allow the system to recover capacity, which is a critical intervention in preventing and managing the spread of Covid-19 in Australia.
Given the proposed limited duration of the determination, I am satisfied this meets the criteria that such an emergency requirement is in place for only as long as necessary.
I wish to note the potential consequences for Australian citizens and permanent residents as a result of this pause on flights and entry into Australia.
These include the risk of serious illness without access to healthcare, the potential for Australians to be stranded in a transit country, and in a worst-case scenario, deaths.
I consider that these serious implications can be mitigated through having the restriction only temporarily in place, ie a pause, and by ensuring there are categories of exemptions.
