Australian PM tells visitors, int’l students

ABC News online

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told visitor visa holders and international students the time has come to return to their home countries as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

After meeting with the National Cabinet yesterday, Morrison said those in Australia who are here under various visa arrangements and cannot support themselves that “there is the alternative for them to return to their home countries”.

“Australia must focus on its citizens and its residents to ensure that we can maximise the economic supports that we have,” he said.

However, the Prime Minister stated international visitors who have critical skills could be the exception.

“For those backpackers in Australia who are nurses or doctors, or have other critical skills that can really help us during this crisis, then there will be opportunities for them,” he said.

“But our focus and our priority is on supporting Australians and Australian residents with the economic supports that are available.”

Morrison said there still remained a number of people in the country on visitor visas.