Australia has extended its ban on overseas travel until mid-December because of the continuing risks of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ‘human biosecurity emergency period’ had been due to end on September 17 but will now remain until December 17.

The emergency period has been in place since March 18, 2020.

The country’s health minister, Greg Hunt, said the extension was based on “specialist medical and epidemiological advice” that the international Covid-19 situation “continues to pose an unacceptable risk to public health”.

The rule applies to those living in Australia, unless given a rare exemption.

Inbound and outbound travel restrictions are set to be lifted when 80% of those eligible are fully vaccinated.

Australian carrier Qantas is planning to restart flights to the UK in mid-December, as part of a resumption of selected international services.

Chief executive Alan Joyce said last week: “The current pace of the vaccine rollout means all Australian states are on track to reach the 80% target by December – which is the trigger for starting to carefully open to some parts of the world.”

Pictured: Sydney, Australia, by Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock