Google Translation:
Dili, 13 Feb 2021 (Lusa) – Australian airline AirNorth has suspended at least until the end of March all passenger flights between Darwin and Dili due to changing quarantine rules for the crew in Australia.
On its page, the company explains that flights between the two cities are suspended until March 31, but without any justification.
However, sector source confirmed to Lusa that the measure is due to the fact that medical officials from the Northern Territory of Australia suspended an exemption for the company’s crew did not have to quarantine on their way back to Darwin when they were returning from Dili.
The same source explained that until now the crew was not obliged to comply with the 14 days of quarantine after each weekly flight made between the two cities.
AirNorth’s being a smaller company implies that the mandatory quarantine would have a great deal of weight on the company’s human resources.
Despite the limitation in the quarantine, which makes passenger travel unviable, the company will continue to transport cargo to Dili, according to the same sources.
Lusa could not get comments from AirNorth or Northern Territory Government.
Passenger connections between the two cities were, so far, the only regulars for Dili that have been without commercial flights since March last year.
Flights were limited, in the case of Australia’s return to Australian citizens and permanent residents of that country, all must comply with 14 days of quarantine upon arrival.
All passengers travelling to Dili must also complete the 14 days of quarantine.
Timor-Leste currently has 39 active covid-19 cases and is in a state of emergency until early March.
ASP // EA
Lusa / End
