Australia to reopen door to India, local Covid-19 cluster appears contained

People wait in line at a coronavirus disease (Covid-19) testing clinic in the city centre after new cases were reported in Sydney, Australia

* Repatriation flights from India to resume next week * No approval to restart commercial flights * NSW authorities report no new Covid-19 cases * Social distancing restrictions in Sydney over weekend Australia will lift a ban on its citizens returning from Covid-ravaged India next week, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday, as state officials reported that an outbreak in Sydney appeared to be contained. Morrison stood by his decision to impose a biosecurity order last month barring all travel to and from India, a policy that drew heavy criticism from lawmakers, expatriates and the Indian diaspora. Morrison said the travel ban, which was controversially backed by jail terms and financial penalties for anybody who attempted to circumvent it by flying via a third country, had prevented Australia's hotel quarantine system from being overwhelmed.