International borders remain closed for another three months as Australia’s emergency travel ban has been extended until June 17. Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the extension yesterday, citing the overseas situation as the main reason. “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.” This announcement takes Australia to 15 months of hard lockdown measures if the ban does not lift in June. Hunt notes that the restrictions can be amended or repealed if no longer needed before the current set date. The news comes to the disappointment of airlines and cruise lines, which have taken massive financial hits due to the …