New Zealand Postpones Border Reopening, COVID-19 Minister: Evidence Shows Most Infectious Omicron Variant

An illustration of Auckland Airport, New Zealand. (Wikimedia Commons/Nick-D)

JAKARTA - New Zealand on Tuesday postponed plans for a gradual reopening of its borders until the end of February, citing the rapid global spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The southern Pacific nation has just begun to ease some of the world's toughest pandemic measures, planning an easing of its international border restrictions in January, with all foreign tourists allowed in from April.

Non-quarantine travel, which will be open to New Zealanders in Australia from January 16, will be postponed until the end of February, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said at a news conference in Wellington.

"All the evidence so far shows Omicron to be the most infectious variant of COVID-19," he said.

"No doubt this is disappointing and will disrupt many holiday plans, but it is important to clearly define these changes today, so they can have time to consider those plans."

The move is a precautionary measure, as it remains unclear how severe the Omicron variant is and its impact on health systems is not yet fully understood, Hipkins said.

In addition, New Zealand also said the length of stay in state quarantine facilities would be increased from a week to 10 days. The pre-departure test requirement for entering New Zealand was reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours before travel.