WELLINGTON, New Zealand—The emergence of the omicron variant has not changed New Zealand’s plans to ease restrictions in Auckland and move the nation into a new, more open phase of its pandemic response, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday. Bars, restaurants, and gyms in Auckland can reopen from late Thursday, ending a COVID-19 lockdown that began in August. Around the country, a new “traffic light” system will bring an end to lockdowns but people will need to be fully vaccinated in order to guarantee participation in anything from getting a haircut to watching a concert. New Zealand on Sunday restricted travel from nine southern African countries in response to the omicron threat. Ardern said she didn’t anticipate any further restrictions. She said as the new variant is studied more, New Zealand will continue doing fundamental things like contact tracing, isolating infectious people, and requiring mask use in some settings. Ardern …