New Zealand has delayed the phased reopening of its border until the end of February.

It was due to remove the mandatory hotel quarantine for New Zealand citizens and visa holders from Australia from 17 January, followed by visa holders from the rest of the world.

Unvaccinated visitors were due to be allowed to travel to New Zealand, quarantine-free, from the end of April 2022.

However, New Zealand’s minister responsible for its COVID response said yesterday the reopening was being pushed back to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

New Zealand has been closed to holidaymakers since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

The limited number of people who are allowed to enter New Zealand while its border is closed must provide a negative COVID test taken no more than 48 hours before they set off and their mandatory quarantine has been increased from seven to 10 days.