Australia will extend by at least three months the closure of its international borders, a self-isolation policy aimed at protecting it from Covid-19 already in force for a year, a minister said on Tuesday March 2.
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The government has been advised by health experts that "
the situation around Covid-19 abroad continues to pose an unacceptable risk to public health in Australia, including the emergence of more contagious variants
," said the Minister of Health, Greg Hunt.
Therefore, strict border control will be extended until June 17, he said.
Australia quickly closed its international borders after the onset of the covid pandemic, barring entry to most non-nationals with some exceptions.
Limits have also been placed on the number of Australians allowed to return home each week, blocking tens of thousands of them abroad.
Travelers allowed to enter the island must spend 14 days in hotel quarantine, costing several thousand dollars.
This policy has paid off: Australia has recorded fewer than 29,000 cases of Covid in a population of 25 million, and currently observes few restrictions.
