Aussie PM tells tourists to ‘go home’ after backpackers ignore social distancing rules

Scott Morrison said foreigners with essential skills should stay but it was past time everyone else went home.

Australia’s Prime Minister has asked all foreign visitors and students to leave the country amid fury at backpackers for ignoring social distancing rules.

Scott Morrison said those with essential skills – such as visiting doctors and nurses – are encouraged to stay, but it was past time for everyone else to ‘make their way home’.

It comes after a hostel in Sydney was shut down by police, who were called to break up a party. Tourists have also been packing onto traveller hotspot Bondi Beach despite warnings not to gather outdoors during the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Morrison stopped short of ordering foreigners to leave as he spoke at a press conference on Friday, but made it clear they will not be a priority during the pandemic.  

Mr Morrison said: ‘As much as it is lovely to have visitors to Australia in good times, at times like this if you’re a visitor in this country, it is time… to make your way home.

‘Australia must focus on its citizens and its residents to ensure that we can maximise the economic supports that we have.’ 

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Australia has so far confirmed 5,330 cases of the virus with 30 deaths. 

It is unclear how many foreigners remain in the country on visitor, student or working holiday visas. Thousands have been scrambling to get home after airlines cancelled or dramatically reduced flights.

Australia has not shut its borders, but some young travellers have complained that they are effectively trapped in the country as flights that are available cost thousands.

Mr Morrison’s comments come as a cluster of Covid-19 cases was confirmed amongst ‘infected backpackers’ in Sydeny’s Bondi area earlier this week.

Australian hostels are allowed to remain open under current restrictions but social gatherings have been limited to two people.

Mr Morrison said it would be in foreigners’ best interests to leave ‘to ensure that you can receive the supports that are available where they in your home countries’.

Morrison added people on various visa arrangements are ‘not held here compulsorily’.

‘If they are not in a position to support themselves then there is the alternative for them to return to their home countries’ he said. 

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