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International travel will be off the cards for Australians until at least 17 June after the Federal Government extended the ban for an additional three months.
The ban is part of the Government's 'human biosecurity emergency' declaration, which gives the Australian government powers to take measures in order to prevent and control COVID-19 spread.
According to a statement from Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, the extension of the emergency period is informed by medical and epidemiological advice.
"The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) 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," Hunt said.
"The extension of the emergency period for a further three months is about mitigating that risk for everyone's health and safety."
In addition to banning Australians from travelling overseas, the powers also include the following emergency determinations which have been extended for a further three months:
- Pre-departure testing and mask wearing for international flights;
- Restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory;
- Restrictions on trade of retail outlets at international airports.
"These restrictions can be amended or repealed if no longer needed," Hunt said.
"In particular, the Australian Government continues to work closely with state and territory agencies, national health committees and the cruise industry to develop a framework for the staged resumption of cruise ships in a manner that is proportionate to the public health risk."
While the COVID-19 situation in Australia is currently under control, overseas the virus continues to spread.
Yesterday, 294,930 new coronavirus cases were detected in the world, bringing the global total to more than 114 million.
The USA recorded the most new cases yesterday with 53,547 infections, followed by Brazil with 38,394, and Italy with 13,094.
Updated at 9.35am AEDT on 3 March 2021.
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