Canberra, Aug 3 (TIWN) Australian flag carrier, Qantas on Tuesday announced that 2,500 of its frontline employees will be stood down amid the ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns and border closures across the country.

In a press statement, the airline said the move is a "temporary measure" that aims to ultimately preserve jobs once states begin to re-open their borders and domestic flying resumes, reports Xinhua news agency.  The stand down, estimated to last two months, will come into effect in mid-August.