A 'mammoth effort' to bring Australians home from overseas during coronavirus crisis, with more to return this week

Foreign Minister Marise Payne says 300,000 people have returned to Australia since 13 March during the coronavirus pandemic.

Australians evacuated from South America due to the coronavirus arrive at Brisbane International Airport on 14 April.

Australians evacuated from South America due to the coronavirus arrive at Brisbane International Airport on 14 April. Source: AAP

Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne says the federal government continues to work with the Qantas, Virgin Australia and foreign airlines to bring home Australians stranded in various parts of the world because of the coronavirus pandemic.

She said there are about 11,000 Australians scattered around the world.

"It doesn't mean that all of the people wish to return to Australia and many of them are long-term residents of the countries in which they're located," she told ABC television's Insiders program on Sunday.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne speaks to the media
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra Source: AAP
She said about 300,000 people have returned to Australia since March 13, a significant number of those from more than 50 cruise ships.

She said three flights from the Philippines returned to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on Sunday, in what she described as a "mammoth effort".
That required 12 sweeper flights from around the Philippines to bring people to Manila to be able to board the flights through a "very, very stressful, high-pressure lockdown environment".

"I'm very glad to see that. But there is more to do," she said.

She said there has also been a number of flights from India, supported by the High Commission there.

"We are also very focused on making sure that every single Australian who needs an application to leave India has that facilitated by the High Commission," she said.

The government is in discussions with a number of airlines to identify flights in Argentina and South Africa as well.

"We are using multiple mechanisms to return Australians to Australia," she said.

"We still encourage Australians to take those flights now, and we are using every means at our disposal to support Australians who are in some of the most difficult places to return."

Repatriation flight to arrive in Adelaide

A repatriation flight from India carrying 440 people is due to arrive in Adelaide on Monday.

Those on board will be quarantined at the Pullman hotel for 14 days.

Another flight carrying the same numbers will arrive on Tuesday.

Southe Australian Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier said the 880 people would be tested after they disembarked and monitored daily for symptoms.

"We will not be risking the health and wellbeing of our population," she said.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said about 45 police officers would monitor the building to ensure people don't leave prematurely.

"Given the excellent results we've seen in terms of limiting the spread of the virus in South Australia, we're taking the security of these people extremely seriously," Mr Stevens said.

He also said 18 young people had been issued expiation notices after a group of up to 100 were caught congregating at a car-based event in Penfield.

They dispersed very quickly after police arrived and there was one crash in the bid to flee.

"Everybody is generally doing the right thing but we are becoming aware of instances where people are not," Mr Stevens said.

Police have now issued 74 expiation notices in total and 43 formal warnings during COVID-19 compliance checks.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at


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4 min read
Published 19 April 2020 6:20pm
Updated 19 April 2020 6:45pm

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