Omicron: New Zealand is postponing the gradual opening of its borders

The New Zealand government today postponed the planned phased opening of Oceania’s borders until at least the end of February, amid concerns about the rapid worldwide spread of the new coronavirus Omicron variant.

The country in the South Pacific was just beginning to relax its pandemic measures, which are among the strictest in the world. The border restrictions were to be lifted in January and the aim was to allow all foreign tourists to visit it from April.

But quarantine travel, which would begin for New Zealanders living in Australia from January 16, will no longer be possible until late February at the earliest, said pandemic minister Chris Hippins. during a press conference in Wellington.

“All the evidence so far suggests that Omicron is the most contagious variant (SARS-CoV-2) to date. There is no doubt that this is frustrating and will upset many holiday plans, but it is important to “We clearly present these changes from today, so that people have the time to adjust their plans,” he added.

The measures are being taken as a precaution, as it is not yet clear how severe COVID-19 is caused by Omicron, nor its impact on health systems, that is, whether it can cause their overload, he added.

In addition, the quarantine of travelers will increase to 10 days from one week today. And even shorter, the time before departure in which travelers to New Zealand will have to take a test becomes shorter: from 72 it is reduced to 48 hours before the flight.

SOURCE: AMPE