New Zealand delays border reopening to February over Omicron

New Zealand on Tuesday postponed its phased border re-opening plans until the end of February, citing the rapid global spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The South Pacific nation had just started easing some of the world’s toughest pandemic measures and its international border restrictions were to progressively loosen starting in January, with all foreign tourists allowed into the country from April.

Non-quarantine travel, which was to open for New Zealanders in Australia on January 16th, will be delayed to the end of February, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said at a press conference in Wellington.

“All of the evidence so far points to Omicron being the most transmissible COVID-19 variant yet.

“There’s no doubt this is disappointing and will upset many holiday plans, but it’s important to set these changes out clearly today so they can have time to consider those plans.”

Precaution

The measures are a precaution, as it is still unclear how sick Omicron makes people and the impact it has on health systems is not yet fully understood, he said.

New Zealand also said the length of stay in state quarantine facilities will be increased from a week to 10 days. The pre-departure test requirement to enter New Zealand has also been reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours before travel.