On the surface, it doesn’t make any sense. Australians are often surprised to hear we are one of the only countries banning people from leaving the country.
But now, given the situation unfolding in India, and what we know about the consequences, the Health minister Greg Hunt has taken the unusual step of blocking all travellers from India.
And it doesn’t matter if you’re an Australian citizen.
Emergency powers
The government will invoke emergency powers, amid concerns that transiting passengers may still enter Australia via other countries.
It’s also politically savvy. Look at the success local state governments have had at elections following draconian measures to ban other Australians enter their states. And now the Federal government, which had been critical of the states, in jumping on board, trading Australia as one giant WA.
Variants of the virus emerge typically in places where it’s spreading rapidly, and can prove more contagious, more harmful and more deadly as a result.
Mr Hunt made the determination under the Biosecurity Act to stop people who have been in India during the past fortnight from arriving in Australia,.
It follows advice from the Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly.
“The risk assessment that informed the decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia who have acquired a COVID-19 infection in India.”
Greg Hunt, AUSTRALIAN HEALTH MINISTER
There are about 9000 stranded Australians in India wanting to come home, 650 of whom are considered vulnerable.
And despite the PM confirming on Wednesday that travellers returning from India via Doha had been closed off, the government discovered there was still another way.
Flights from India to Australia have been paused until May 15 but Mr Hunt said national cabinet wanted them restarted “as soon as possible”.
“India has been reporting more than 300,000 new cases of COVID-19 every day for the past week. The total number of cases in India is now close to 19 million and more than 200,000 people have died.”
GREG HUNT, AUSTRALIAN HEALTH MINISTER
“The government does not make these decisions lightly.”
Gayle Smith, the State Department’s coordinator for global Covid response and health security, told reporters in a conference call Friday that the surge in India is “very, very serious.”
United Airlines Holdings Inc., the only U.S. carrier with nonstop service to India, said in a statement that it would “comply with all government regulations and travel orders.”
“United is proud of the essential air service we provide to connect our two countries and we’ll continue to support India during this time of need,” it said.
Ticker News is now available on Xumo TV and Xfinity, bringing new era of accessibility
Ticker is thrilled to announce a major milestone for Ticker News: we are now available for streaming across the United States on Comcast’s major platforms, Xumo TV and Xfinity.
The development places Ticker News in the company of industry giants like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, marking a significant leap forward in our mission to deliver quality news to a wider audience.
With a combined reach of 50 million active users per month, Xumo TV and Xfinity offer an opportunity for Ticker News to expand viewership.
The achievement is particularly special with Ticker’s fifth anniversary on air on August 19.
“Getting Ticker News on these platforms was no small feat,” says Ticker Founder and CEO Ahron Young.
“It took nearly two years of intense negotiations and overcoming various technical challenges. But the journey underscores the resilience and determination of our team, proving that persistence pays off. We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished together,” Ahron says.
Being available on Xumo TV and Xfinity significantly enhances our already robust distribution network.
These platforms provide Ticker with the ability to reach millions of new viewers, further solidifying our presence in the competitive news landscape.
“Our commitment to expanding our reach and improving accessibility remains stronger than ever,” says TIcker’s Global Marketing Director, Kane Ricca.
Looking Ahead
As Ticker celebrates this exciting moment, the media company remains focused on its mission to provide accurate, timely, and engaging news to our audience.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support of our hosts, staff, investors, and viewers. Every moment counts at Ticker, and together, we are building something truly special,” says Ahron.
Vice President Kamala Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a cease-fire agreement.
Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the nature of the discussion describing it as a “frank and constructive”meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Harris expressed her concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
She stressed the need to finalise a cease-fire deal.
Harris described the past nine months in Gaza as devastating.
She urged that the tragedies in Gaza should not be ignored. #trending