Many young Italians, especially in recent years, have landed in Australia thanks to a working holiday visa.
Initially introduced in 1975, this visa allows citizens of a small group of countries between the ages of 18 and 30 to spend a period of 12 months in Australia working and travelling within the country.
Salvatore, who was a pharmacist in Italy, arrived in Australia in early March looking for work and hoping to make new friends.
Highlights
- A working holiday visa allows citizens from a small number of states to spend a 12-month period in Australia
- Salvatore arrived in Australia in early March looking for a new experience, but he could not predict what the consequences of the lockdown would have been
- Salvatore tried to stay positive, but after the tightening of the restrictive measures he decided to return to Italy to enjoy the end of the summer
Three weeks after his arrival, however, state governments began to impose the first restrictive measures and Salvatore was immediately affected.
"It was because of the lockdown that I couldn't find a job," he added, "all the events were cancelled and this put a kind of underlying sadness that made it very difficult to make friends".
Salvatore, however, tried to stay positive because "I hoped that sooner or later the restrictive measures would ease". Unfortunately after the second wave hit Victoria, the states began to impose again restrictions on travel and this has meant that "the positivity I had is now gone."
After considering various options and not having found a simple solution, Salvatore thought it would be better to return to Italy to try to enjoy what is left of the Sicilian summer.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for food and essential supplies, work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. People are also advised to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
