For anyone considering to still fly to their home countries or back to Australia via Singapore, please be advised that Singapore is no longer allowing Short term travellers or transit via Changi Airport.
I have a mate (Australian Citizen) of mine who is currently in India, who is possibly locked out of the Australia if Malaysia & Thailand close their transit options as well.
Singapore Airlines have grounded 96% of their flights with only 7 flights still active.
Stay put and stay safe everyone.
India-middle east-australia (get in fast, e.g Etihad has announced a suspension of services starting in a day or two).
Is it possible via Sri Lanka? there are direct flights from Colombo to Melbourne (in normal times).
Thailand might be an option, be mindful that Qantas is suspending services end of month, and from end of month Thai Airways is dropping daily services to (for e.g) Sydney from 7 days per week to 3 days per week, and that further reductions are possible.
We need to remember there are a lot of travellers and temporary visa holders trapped in Australia too.
A large number of them with the right to work will have been stepped down.
A lot of them are international students and backpackers living in overcrowded housing.
Some will be from countries with no reciprocal health care agreement and their travel insurance may now not cover them if they become ill.
None of them are entitled to access any of our Centrelink benefits.
We need to make an effort to look after them too just as we hope communities overseas will take care of our friends and families because the governments arent addressing it.
If i was your mate i would be getting in touch with the Aus Embassy as they are pretty much the only ones who can arrange to get anyone home atm