As the Australian Prime Minister had announced a ban on Indian flights, the Australian players who are part of the Indian Premier League are finding it hard to get back home. According to media reports, those returning from India may have to pay a hefty fine and jail term as India is reeling under the unprecedented surge of COVID-19.
“The federal government is considering fining and jailing anyone who tries to enter Australia from India amid that country’s Covid-19 crisis,” said a report in the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).
As many as 14 Australian cricketers are part of the Indian Premier League and including the coaching staffs and commentaters the number is 29. The players top draws includes David Warner, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins.
“Nine News reported on Friday night that the government was considering a further step by making it a crime, punishable by a maximum $66,000 fine or five years’ jail, if they travel home from India,” said the SMH report.
“Nine reported that federal Health Minister Greg Hunt would invoke powers under the Biosecurity Act — the same legislation used to close the borders — as soon as Saturday.”
“They have travelled there privately,” Morrison was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
“This wasn’t part of an Australian tour. They’re under their own resources and they’ll be using those resources too, I’m sure, to see them return to Australia in accordance with their own arrangements,” the report said.
“If imposed, it would be the first time it has been made a crime for an Australian to enter their own country,” the SMH report on Friday further said.
Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, and Andrew Tye had already returned back to their home soil citing the rising concern of COVID-19 in India.
