Families who have been granted an exemption to have their children brought from India to Australia say they are relieved, but hope the process can be made smoother for others.
Soon to be reunited, father Sheersh Srivastava is making plans to travel to India to collect his two-and-half-year old son Kiyan and bring him back to Australia. READ MOREThat action is only being made possible after the federal government expanded its list of exemptions for travel to include accompanying a child back home to Australia.
But the situation gained a new sense of urgency when Mr Srivastava's mother - and his son's primary carer - shared the news of her cancer diagnosis on 21 May. Tickets with Qatar Airways have been booked, but the cap on arrivals in Australia mean that Mr Srivastava's wife, Shilpa Bhatnagar, is hoping there are no last-minute cancellations. "I really hope that everything will be back normal - and my family will be back together as soon as possible."'Father Dinesh Dhanraj is also hoping to be reunited with his child - 10-year-old Advaiith Dinesh - after being granted an exemption.
He said better communication between government departments and the airlines involved in the repatriation flights would ease anxiety levels. "It has been a very torrid last two years. Everyone has their own COVID story. I am glad I was able to get my mum and son on a flight. And I hope that they are able to get safe passage to Delhi – and get on board these flights – and get back home soon. I’m looking forward to that."He said he shares the distress of other parents trying to also bring their kids in India home.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the seats on Qantas repatriation flights are offered to Australians registered with the department based on the level of vulnerability.
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