Australia’s international travel ban extended until June

Australia’s international borders will remain shut after the Federal government extended the emergency travel ban.

Health Minister Greg Hunt yesterday confirmed that the "human biosecurity emergency period" declared under the Biosecurity Act 2015, which has been in place since 17 March 2020 and was previously due to end on 17 March 2021, will be extended by an additional three months until 17 June 2021."

However Australia could reopen sooner "if no longer needed". An early reopening of international travel relies on a swift rollout of vaccination programs and are proven to be effective against new and emerging variants.

Greg Hunt cited risks from overseas as the number one reason for the emergency extension.

“The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has advised the Australian Government the COVID-19 situation overseas continues to pose an unacceptable public health risk to Australia, including the emergence of more highly transmissible variants,” he said.

“The extension of the emergency period for a further three months is about mitigating that risk for everyone’s health and safety.”

The emergency powers can be revoked when Mr Hunt feels it is appropriate, but until then, Australians won’t be able to leave the country unless they’re granted an exemption.

An early reopening of international travel relies on a swift rollout of vaccination programs and are proven to be effective against new and emerging variants.

The latest extension means Australia's borders will have been closed to the world for 15 months. Australians won’t be able to leave the country unless they’re granted an exemption. International arrivals into Australia will continue to be capped and will have pre-departure testing and mandatory masks on flights.

The announcement follows desperate calls from Australian airport operators to kick-start the pandemic-stricken aviation sector.

International border closures are also impacting Australia's agriculture and food industry with the cost of fruit and vegetables set to increase as much as 30 per cent due to a shortage of overseas workers.