The ban on overseas travellers coming into New Zealand from mainland China has been extended.

The 14-day ban was due to end today, but Health Minister David Clark's announced it's been extended for another eight days.

It will be reviewed every 48 hours.

He says the response is based on the best available science and health advice. Clark told Andrew Dickens that the situation has not changed sufficiently yet for there to be a change of plans. 

"99 per cent of the cases are in mainland China, and the public health officials say the best thing we can do to protect ourselves is continue the prohibition period."

Clark says the eight day period brings it in line with the cabinet meeting period. 

The total number of coronavirus cases in China has passed 66,000, with another 2600 new infections confirmed.

Europe has also overnight reported its first death from the virus – an 80 year old man who’d travelled to France from Wuhan.

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