COVID-19 Protection Framework

Play, active recreation & sport under red, orange and green

The COVID-19 Protection Framework (also known as the traffic light system) sets out our plan to manage life with Omicron while reducing the impact of future outbreaks.

View the full Sport NZ guidance at Red, Orange and Green. At all settings, people must self-isolate for 7 days if they test positive or live with someone who has COVID-19.

For further information, see the COVID-19 Protection Framework Frequently Asked Questions.

Setting overview

Indoor Spaces

Indoor spaces are generally considered to be venues:

• that are enclosed by a ceiling and walls, or other similar structures, and
• which do not have much, if any, flow of fresh air.

Examples include many gyms, hospitality providers and halls.

See rules at each setting for indoor spaces

Outdoor spaces

Outdoor spaces are generally considered to be places that have good ventilation, with a decent amount of free flowing, fresh air coming into the space.

For example, this could be because the venue:

• does not have a roof
• has fewer than 4 walls, or
• because its walls do not go all the way up and still allow a significant amount of air flow.

See rules at each setting for outdoor spaces

At Red

From 11:59pm on Friday 25 March:

No outdoor capacity limits — My Vaccine Passes must be used until 11:59pm on 4 April.
Indoor capacity limits of 200 people — My Vaccine Passes must be used until 11:59pm on 4 April.
Capacity limits for indoor public facilities (e.g. recreation centres) determined based on 1 metre physical distancing
Face masks required in most indoor settings, not required outdoors.
There is no requirement to scan in or for a business to display a QR code poster or have mandatory record keeping.

At Orange

No indoor or outdoor capacity limits.
Face masks required in many indoor settings, not required outdoors
There is no requirement to scan in or for a business to display a QR code poster or have mandatory record keeping.

At Green

No restrictions.
Face masks encouraged indoors.
There is no requirement to scan in or for a business to display a QR code poster or have mandatory record keeping.

My Vaccine Pass

From 11:59pm on 4 April 2022, there will be no requirement to use My Vaccine Pass. Until 4 April, where My Vaccine Passes are not used, the current capacity restrictions remain — but after this time, the new capacity limits will apply to everyone.

After 4 April, businesses will still be able to use the system if they would like to.

COVID-19 Protection Framework FAQs

Our most frequently asked questions can be found here.

COVID-19 Protection Framework FAQs

Full CPF guidance documents

Sport NZ guidance for Play Sport and Active Recreation under the traffic light system.

COVID-19 Protection Framework Overview