New Zealand delays border reopening plans

The government of New Zealand has announced that it will delay its phased border reopening plans by six weeks due to concerns regarding the Omicron Covid variant.

Managed isolation and quarantine requirements (MIQ) for New Zealand citizens and residents returning from Australia were originally slated to be eased from 17 January 2022, but will now be delayed until the end of February.

MIQ requirements for New Zealanders travelling from all other countries was also scheduled to be lifted on 14 February, with non-Kiwis being originally planned to be allowed entry into the country again from April. It is unknown what dates these two stages will be rescheduled to at the present time.

In addition to the delayed reopening of international travel, the government also confirmed that the length of stay for travellers at state quarantine facilities will be increased from a week to 10 days, while pre-departure Covid tests must now be taken within 48 hours of departure, rather than the previous 72-hour limit.

At a press conference in Wellington, Response Minister Chris Hipkins said that: “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."

Travel plans have been disrupted again

Flag carrier airline Air New Zealand has already confirmed that it has cancelled 120 flights following the announcement.

This includes all existing quarantine-free flights from Australia to New Zealand planned for between 17 January and 28 February 2022. The airline estimates that approximately 27,000 customers will be affected by the cancellations.

The flights will be replaced with a limited schedule of quarantine flights operating exclusively out of Auckland. However, customers who still wish to travel to New Zealand will now need to secure a managed isolation spot at a state quarantine facility before booking a flight.

The latest round of MIQ room releases was originally planned for 21 December, but was cancelled as part of the same announcement which unveiled the new measures. The next MIQ room release is due for 6 January.