Kia ora koutou,

We hope you are well, wherever in the country you may be.

Our update today covers the following topics:

• Amended Alert Level 2 guidelines including events and gatherings limits
• Amended Level 3, Stage 1 guidelines for Auckland including rock-climbing (now permitted)
• Vaccination information update for the sector
• Managed Isolation Public Booking System
• MIQ Group Allocations for 2022

General Alert Level Updates

For those in the Waikato, a note that the boundaries have now been extended to cover the Waitomo District, including Te Kuiti, as well as the Waipa and Otorohanga Districts. These areas will be in a strict Alert Level 3, which does not include the easing of restrictions afforded to Auckland.

Current alert level tables carrying detailed guidance are available on our web site. These have now been updated including the following amends:

Changes to gatherings numbers in Alert Level 2

The biggest area of change for sports and recreation activities relates to the relaxation of number limits for events gatherings. Previously there was a maximum of 100 people for indoor or outdoor gatherings.

There are now no restrictions on the number of people that can attend a gathering – which includes local sport and recreation involving contact sport. Players can come into contact with each other and share equipment however spectators attending a local sporting event should stay 2m apart from people they do not know, wear a face covering wherever possible, and follow all other contact tracing and hygiene guidelines.

Spectators attending an event at a stadium or arena should safely stay 1 metre apart.

Updated Alert Level 3, Stage 1 for Auckland

A reminder that people can now meet with other people from up to 10 households at a time for organised group activities e.g. yoga, bootcamps as long as this is outside, and the total number of people is not greater than 10. Physical distancing must be maintained between people from different households at all times. Multiple classes can be held each day as long as they are outside and do not exceed 10 people. That means personal trainers and professional coaches can now carry out in person coaching as long as it is outdoors, involves a maximum of 10 people (including the coach/instructor), and physical distancing is maintained.

While people can now also engage in a wider range of other recreation activities (with a maximum of 10 people) it is recommended that these activities are limited to 1 household only.

Permitted activities in Auckland also now include rock climbing as long as climbers are socially distanced if outside their bubble and keep within their limits to avoid any need for rescue.

Vaccination Update

We have put together an update of recent developments as the Government rolls out free COVID-19 vaccinations. You’re welcome to share all or part of this information in a way that works for your workforce and networks. Topics covered include the upcoming Super Saturday vaccination drive, digital vaccination records and mandatory vaccinations for staff.

We appreciate there is a large stream of information business and workplaces need to get across to keep pace with COVID-19 developments. Referring regularly to this handy checklist can help make sure you’re covering most bases:

Download and tick off the following actions so your workplace can Make Summer Unstoppable

Managed Isolation Public Booking system (MIAS) 

If you are looking to travel internationally or to bring athletes into New Zealand, the primary method for securing places in Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ), is to book vouchers via the Managed Isolation Allocation System (miq.govt.nz). Vouchers are being released on a regular basis.  Please review our guidance for more information on how to book via MIAS: Guidelines for international travel. 

MIQ Group Allocation for 1 March 2022 to 31 May 2022. 

MIQ spaces have been allocated for groups that meet financial benefit or significance criteria. Demand for these spaces is significantly higher than what is available and come from many sectors (including RSE workers and refugees). Decisions on these group allocations are made by the Border Exception Ministerial Group.  

The next allocation is for MIQ places between 1 March and 31 May 2022 with decisions expected by December.  There is no flexibility regarding this timeline - decisions will not be made earlier.  If your group meets the criteria (refer to our website- MIQ Group Allocations) and will enter New Zealand between 1 March 2022 to 31 May 2022,  please complete our online form by 5pm, Tuesday 12^th October 2021 to request consideration for MIQ Group Allocation, even if you have previously signaled your request for a group allocation. 

Once we have considered the information supplied in the online form, and if we believe you meet the threshold for support, we will work with you to develop an Expression of Interest (EOI).  Final EOI will need to be completed by Wednesday 20 October 2021. 

EOIs will be submitted and progressed with MBIE MIQ, then considered alongside those submitted from other Government agencies to form a balanced package of recommendations for Border Ministers to consider in early December. As noted earlier, demand for this allocation is much higher than supply so eligibility does not mean that you will be allocated space. 

Finally 

As you know, Sport NZ does not usually have advance warning of alert level changes and the associated shift in restrictions. We will continue to do our best to provide information as quickly as possible after announcements are made. Thank you for your continued leadership in responding and adapting to the regularly changing environment we live and work in.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact your Partnership Manager or send COVID-19 related queries to this address: Covid19response@sportnz.org.nz.

Ngā mihi,

Raelene Castle