New Zealand is delaying border re-opening plans over omicron concerns

December 22, 2021: On Tuesday, New Zealand postponed its phased border re-opening plans until the end of February, which cited the rapid global spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The South Pacific nation had just begun easing some of the world’s most authoritarian pandemic measures. Its international border restrictions were to loosen from January, with all foreign tourists allowed into the country from April.

Non-quarantine travel, which opened for New Zealanders in Australia from January 16, would be pushed back until 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 essential to set these changes out today so they can have time to consider the plans.

The measures were a precaution as it was still unclear how sick omicron makes people, and the impact it had on health systems was not yet fully understood, he said.

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