International student pilot program postponed

The international student 'Safe Passage' pilot program developed by The Australian National University and the University of Canberra in consultation with the ACT and Federal Governments, has been postponed. Given the recent COVID developments, the universities have decided to postpone the well-advanced pilot plan to return 350 continuing students to Canberra campuses in late July until there is a clearer picture around the COVID trajectory. The plan would have had a small number of international students recommence their Semester 2 studies on campus following 14 days, police-supervised quarantine in apartment-style accommodation.  Strict protocols and testing were planned to be in place for their flights, transfers and supervised quarantine, with all students needing to return a negative test before leaving quarantine. The universities have thanked the Prime Minister, Education Minister, Home Affairs Minister and ACT Chief Minister for their support for the pilot program and look forward to rolling it out at a later date. The ACT has already overseen repatriation flights into Canberra Airport with passengers safely transferred to hotels and quarantined with the supervision of local authorities.