The Australian government decided in March last year, with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, not to allow its citizens to travel abroad. However, Australian citizens living abroad have not been affected by the restrictive measure yet, but from August 11 they will also have to apply for an exemption if they want to travel home, he writes. BBC.
In the past, many have criticized the very strict border measures in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Australia has set a limit on the number of weekly arrivals and has not allowed foreign nationals to enter the country without an exemption. The provision, which went into effect last month, has also caused serious outrage among residents, as the number of allowed arrivals has been halved due to the spread of the delta variant. The law, which takes effect on August 11, will deal another blow to family members who live far away. Legal experts say the new measure violates civil rights.
Alexandra Phelan, who lives in the United States, posted on Twitter that she practically woke up to be exiled from her homeland.
The government has announced that it will not open its borders until 80% of the population is vaccinated. Because of the slow vaccination rate, this is expected to happen next year, with available data indicating that 19 percent of the population has received two doses of the vaccine.
Due to the spread of the delta variable, curfews are also in place in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. More than 4,300 cases have already been recorded in the worst-hit city, Sydney.