Image Source: THE PIE NEWS

Australia’s Victoria state on Wednesday announced a 45 million dollars relief package for international students facing economic hardships due to the coronavirus related restrictions, a move which would benefit thousands of students including Indians. Over 40,000 overseas students, including those from India, are expected to receive a relief payment of up to 1,100 Australian dollars ($716) as part of a state emergency support package. State premier Daniel Andrews, while making the announcement, said to ensure Victoria’s international students can buy the basics and get through to the other side of the crisis, the state government will establish a $45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund. Another state of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) on Tuesday announced a new $450,000 package to support vulnerable people living in ACT on temporary visas and international students who have lost their income. Indians and other foreign health and care professionals employed on work visas across the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK are set to benefit from a further free visa extension announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel on Wednesday. These key workers, including midwives, radiographers, social workers and pharmacists with visas due to expire before October 1, will receive an automatic one-year extension. The Indian-origin Cabinet minister said the extension will apply to those working in the NHS and the independent sector, and also include their family members.