As India's COVID-19 case tally continues to rise, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday that the country was suspending all direct passenger flights from India until May 15. The southern country now joins an increasingly longer list of countries that have restricted travel to and from India. Reportedly, even after flights resume, all passengers will be required to return a negative COVID-19 nasal swab as well as a negative rapid antigen test before departure.
The Sydney Morning Herald quoted the Prime Minister to report that Australia would also be sending urgently required medical equipment to India. This includes 500 non-invasive ventilators, 1 million surgical masks, 500,000 P2 and N95 masks, 100,000 surgical gowns, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields as well as a 100 oxygen concentrators along with tanks and consumables. Reportedly, PM Morrison had indicated that further shipments would follow.
Further details awaited.
