Kia ora koutou, 

I hope this email finds you well. 

It goes without saying that these are interesting and challenging times as we await Government announcements that affect us both personally and professionally. To those living and working in Auckland, it’s been a long time since we were able to connect as people and enjoy ‘normal’ life. With yesterday’s announcement we finally see a light at the end of the tunnel and that’s welcome news.

We hope this Covid-19 Update is useful, covering:

• A recap of yesterday’s announcement 
• Sport NZ’s response approach – short to mid term
• My Vaccine Pass and International Travel Passports – see webinar details
• Changes to MIQ stays
• Update about toilets at sports clubs

COVID-19 Protection Framework (CPF) – decision on November 29

Yesterday it was announced that Cabinet will confirm on November 29 its decision to move Auckland to the new traffic light framework along with additional detail/guidance on how the CPF will apply.  Auckland will move into red, the highest level. The rest of the country will move to the new framework at the same time. We also heard that the Auckland border will reopen from December 15. People travelling out of Auckland will  have to be either fully vaccinated or have a negative test within 72 hours of departure. This requirement will be in place for the core summer period of December 15, 2021, to January 17, 2022. More information on changes to the Auckland boundary from December 15 can be found here.

Sport NZ’s COVID-19 Response
Over the past few weeks, we have observed and felt the growing weight of our current COVID-19 situation, noting that the Delta variant has changed the game for a while to come. Having surveyed the sector to understand current needs, Sport NZ is changing its approach across the next period so that the sector can focus on the immediate requirements of communities. This means reducing compliance and taking a pragmatic approach to investment requirements. 

The urgent focus is on creating as seamless a transition as possible to the new CPF. We hope to have the new CPF sector guidance published in the week commencing November 22. Guidance will specifically cover how sport and recreation can operate at the three traffic light settings, along with FAQs. This will then allow you to interpret the guidance for your particular context. We will ensure we are clear around the areas you need to take responsibility for at an organisational level.

Please be assured we are advocating to ensure the best possible outcomes for play, active recreation and sport. In inputting into the new guidance, we have analysed all the queries received via our COVID-19 response inbox. There will also be a bespoke consultation event this week with a representative group of partners.   

My Vaccine Pass and International Travel Vaccination Certificates now available
My Vaccine Pass is an official record of your COVID-19 vaccination status for use in Aotearoa New Zealand. Businesses, events, organisations, community, and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement a vaccination entry requirement for customers and communities. Businesses do not need to take any action with My Vaccine Pass until the COVID-19 Protection Framework is in place. Once final decisions are made, guidance will be published on business.govt.nz about business requirements under the new framework, including verifying passes. These key messages may prove useful to your organisation.

You will all have outstanding questions, particularly around operating at different levels in the framework. As such, the DPMC, MoH and MBIE are hosting a Webinar on Friday 19th Nov at 12pm to give an overview and update on the Vaccine Pass and verification programme, and matters related to vaccination and employment relations under the COVID-19 Protection Framework. If you’re a business manager or leader, or in an employment relations, corporate affairs or health and safety related role, this webinar is for you.
 

Business information webinar 
Friday 19 November 2021 
12:00 – 1:00 pm 
Click to join: https://mbie.zoom.us/j/84393353723?pwd=dUZndkpwSGFxYlNHK2gzaGdKS3dFQT09
Password: 514744

Thank you also to Aktive in Auckland who have also developed a vaccination toolkit full of sector specific resources that can be tailored for organisational use.

Changes to MIQ stays
People arriving to New Zealand from overseas will now need to isolate in an MIQ facility for seven days, followed by a three-day self-isolation at their place of residence. Testing requirements for new arrivals are also changing; people in MIQ will need tests on days zero, three, and six, as well as a PCR test on their second day in self-isolation. They will only be able to leave self-isolation once they have received a negative test result. 

The new policy came into force on 14 November and will apply to any traveller not arriving through a quarantine-free travel pathway. A second stage of the plan will see New Zealand moving towards having more vaccinated people able to self-isolate at home instead of in MIQ. There are now regular weekly releases on the MIAS website for New Zealanders looking to travel Dec – February 2022 - Managed Isolation and Quarantine (miq.govt.nz)

Update on opening of toilets at sports clubs
In last week’s sector update, we acknowledged current difficulties for sports who are permitted to open at Alert Level 3.2 but must keep their indoor facilities closed to the public. Unfortunately we were unable to get the Alert Level Order amended to allow toilets to open at sports clubs at this stage. We are continuing to work closely with the DPMC so that this issue does not occur when the country moves to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework. 

Getting help and guidance from Sport NZ
As always, please send questions directly to your Partnership Manager if you have one or send your query to: Covid19response@sportnz.org.nz. Note that anyone in the sector is welcome to sign up to Sector Update here.


Ngā mihi, 

Raelene Castle