Sport NZ is encouraging all New Zealanders to remain physically active, but to follow the Government’s guidelines for their region’s alert levels.

"Being active is important for our physical and mental wellbeing. That’s more important than ever while we are once again dealing with life in Alert Levels 2 and 3, however we need to continue working as a team of five million to stamp out the virus,” says Sport NZ CEO Peter Miskimmin.

“We must remain patient and diligent as we have done before in halting the spread of COVID-19. Staying active can be as simple as going for a walk, run or bike ride and we urge New Zealanders to find a form of physically activity that works for them.”

The Government’s guidelines for community sport and recreation at Alert Levels 2 and 3 are available at sportnz.org.nz. Key aspects of these are:

COVID-19 Alert Level 3

• Gyms and public pools must close
• All public and school playgrounds are closed
• You can exercise within our region but must maintain physical distancing of 2 metres from anyone outside of your bubble
• Do not share equipment outside your bubble or use things like playground equipment or benches in public spaces for your training
• Hunting is possible as long as people stay local and stick to their bubble, and if it does not involve a motorised vehicle in the hunting activity
• Short walks (up to 3 hours total) on easy trails are permitted. Long, backcountry tramping or overnight hiking is not allowed
• Mountain biking on known trails for experienced mountain bikers is permitted
• Some water activities are possible, such as swimming, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, windsurfing and paddle boarding, but it is recommended you remain within 200 metres of the shore
• Fishing from a wharf or surf casting from the beach is permitted, but people should not fish from rocks because of the increased drowning risk

Alert Level 2

• New Zealanders can participate in community sport and a wide range of other activities, but are reminded to keep their distance when taking part in physical activity. That means maintaining physical distance from strangers, using contact tracing methods and ensuring mass gatherings stay under the 100 person limit.
• Contact tracing is essential and it’s important people pay constant attention to hygiene measures, particularly washing and drying of hands and regular sanitising of equipment and surfaces.
• Playgrounds, gyms, pools and public courts are open, subject to meeting necessary public health measures. Public conservation land is open to the public for walking, biking, and hunting but there are guidelines on the use of DOC huts and campgrounds.
  
  ENDS
  
  Media Contact
  
  Philip Clark
  Group Media Manager, Sport NZ
  T: 0278 385 710
  E: philip.clark@sportnz.org.nz