The Australian reports that the federal government’s national security committee will meet today to discuss the provision of humanitarian assistance to India. This could include supplying stockpiled medical equipment such as ventilators and personal protective equipment.
The federal government is also likely to further restrict travel between the two nations after India recorded 352,991 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Australia also recorded 25 new COVID-19 cases in hotel quarantine in the last 24 hours.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has stressed the need to strike a balance between keeping Australia safe and allowing citizens and permanent residents to return from overseas:
