If you were hoping to visit Australia soon, you will have to wait a little longer.
On Tuesday, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that the country had extended its ban on international travel for another three months.
The ban – called the “human biosafety emergency period” – was previously set to expire on March 17, according to 7 News. It will now expire on June 17, Hunt’s announcement said.
The travel ban to the country has been in force since March 2020.
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In his announcement, Hunt said that “the situation of COVID-19 abroad continues to pose an unacceptable risk to Australia’s public health, including the emergence of more communicable variants”.
Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt announced on Tuesday that the ban on travel to the country has been extended for another three months until 17 June. (IStock)
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Hunt also said that extending the ban “will ensure that the Australian government is empowered to take all necessary measures to continue to prevent and control COVID-19.”
“Extending the emergency period by another three months aims to mitigate this risk to the health and safety of everyone,” said Hunt.
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In addition to extending the travel ban, Australia is also extending current emergency protocols, including “testing before departure and wearing a mask for international flights; restrictions on entry of cruise ships into Australian territory; restrictions on international travel from exit for Australians; and restrictions on the sale of points of sale at international airports, “said the announcement.
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However, travel restrictions and prohibitions are not immutable. Hunt said they can be changed or appealed if the situation improves.
“In particular, the Australian government continues to work closely with state and territorial agencies, national health committees and the cruise industry to develop a framework for the staged resumption of cruise ships in a manner that is commensurate with the risk to public health, “said Hunt. .
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According to the Australian Department of Health website, the country’s borders are closed to everyone except Australian citizens, residents, close relatives and some travelers who were in New Zealand – but not Auckland – for 14 days before enter Australia.