Genomic testing is underway to determine whether the Omicron variant has spread amongst other passengers onboard a flight from Dubai to Auckland.
At least two other passengers onboard the flight, which landed last Friday in Auckland before going on to MIQ in Christchurch, have since tested positive although one has the Delta variant.
It comes as 76 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded today including 47 in Auckland, 15 in the Waikato, 10 in the Bay of Plenty, three in Taranaki and one in the Lakes district.
Fifty one people are in hospital and five are in intensive care. Delta hit businesses hard in 2021, and now Omicron is bringing fears of more restrictions.
While data on the new variant remains scarce for now, hospitality and tourism operators say if Delta is anything to go by they are in for another grinding year.
Nick Truebridge has the details.
