SYDNEY: Australia will extend its year-long international border closure by at least three months to mid-June, continuing the nation’s self-imposed isolation to keep the coronavirus at bay.
Health Minister Greg Hunt mentioned health officials had suggested the government “the COVID-19 situation overseas continues to pose an unacceptable public health risk to Australia, including the emergence of more highly transmissible variants”.
As a result, strict border controls will continue till Jun 17, he mentioned on Tuesday.
Australia closed its international border early within the pandemic, shutting out most non-citizens except in special circumstances.
Caps were also imposed on the number of Australians permitted to return every week, leaving tens of 1000’s stranded abroad.
Travelers allowed into the nation must spend thousands of dollars to complete 14 days in hotel quarantine on arrival.
Australia has been relatively successful in containing the spread of Covid-19, with just under 29,000 cases recorded in inhabitants of 25 million and few virus restrictions now in place.
