In a move that has angered Aussies eager to travel overseas, the Australian government has increased international travel bans until at least March 17th.

This is due to the government extending its biosecurity emergency period by another three months.

The extension followed after advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) that said that COVID-19 was an ongoing threat and still was a significant public health risk despite the introduction of the Pfizer vaccination.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said that despite security in Australia, the coronavirus pandemic was still escalating in many other countries.

“The disease is spreading as quickly as ever,” he said.

“The international world remains a challenging and dangerous environment and Australia won‘t be fully safe until the international community is safe.”

The extension of the biosecurity emergency period means that Australians are only able to leave the country with specific exemptions, with 95,325 given since the start of the emergency period on March 18th.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly said it was a difficult, but necessary decision.

“We weighed up all of the issues, as the Minister has pointed out, but particularly the ongoing situation internationally and the sort of risks that could come to Australia if we relaxed at this point,” he said.