Events and entertainment

Events and entertainment at Alert Level 2

At Alert Level 2, events can go ahead but with restrictions. 

Events and event facilities — for example, stadiums, cinemas and casinos can have a maximum of 100 people in any indoor or outdoor defined space.

The 100 person limit does not include staff, or people working at the event – for example, performers, musicians or crew. Workers include both paid workers and volunteers.

Defined spaces 

A defined space is a single indoor or outdoor space separated from other spaces. If your venue has multiple defined spaces, you need to make sure the two groups do not mix. This means making sure you have separate entrances for shared areas —  for example bathrooms or counters where people go up to order or pay.

Advice for event organisers

You may be able to have multiple groups of 100 people attending or participating in your event as long as the groups do not mix. You can do this by:

• allocating time slots to each group of 100, and asking each group to leave the venue before the next group arrives,
• limiting your event to participants, attendees and officials. For example, at a sports tournament, you may choose not to allow spectators.
• linking rooms or venues through a virtual meeting.

Physical distancing

Everyone attending your event needs to keep a safe distance from people they don’t know. Attendees must stay 1 metre away from each other — unless you are hosting a private social gathering. People working at the event also need to stay 1 metre apart from each other.

Private social gatherings at Alert Level 2

• If your venue has a stage, make sure the audience is seated 1 metre away.
• If your venue is small, you may need to limit attendees to make sure everyone can distance safely. You may want to alternate occupied seats with vacant seats to help everyone keep a safe distance.
• Think about how people can safely distance in congested areas – for example, bathrooms, entrances, lifts, corridors and walkways.
• Encourage people to arrive early. You may want to open the venue up earlier to allow people more time to find their seats, order food or drink and avoid congestion.
• Use signs and posters to direct traffic flow, and let people know where they need to stand.

Face coverings

Performers do not need to wear a face covering when on stage, but we encourage them to wear one backstage. 

Attendees are encouraged to wear a face covering where possible — they can take it off to eat and drink.

Serving food and drinks

If you are providing food and drinks everyone must be seated to be served. Workers serving food and drinks must wear a face covering.

Attendees can buy food and drink from the bar area, but they must sit down to eat or drink.

Ticketing

We encourage you to use contactless payment options for selling tickets. Ask attendees to buy their tickets online, before they come to the event to avoid queueing at the venue.

Cleaning and hygiene

• Regularly clean high touch surfaces – for example, door handles, handrails, counters and shared facilities.
• Clean shared equipment – for example microphones used by speakers at events.
• Clean audience and spectators areas such as seating before and after your event.
• Provide hand sanitiser in high traffic areas, for example entrances, doorways, lifts and bathroom facilities.
• Refill sanitisers and soap regularly.
• Talk to your workers to see if they have access to enough hygiene supplies. Use signs and posters to educate attendees about good hygiene habits.
• Ask people who are unwell not to attend your event.

Ventilation

In enclosed spaces, such as indoor settings, or indoor areas of outdoor venues, good ventilation can help to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. If you’re organising an event in an indoor venue, you should think about:

• Keeping doors and windows open to improve airflow
• Regularly maintaining air conditioning systems 

 If you are going to an event 

• We strongly encourage you to wear a face covering.
• Stay home if you are unwell or if you have been asked to isolate.
• Scan in using the NZ COVID Tracer App.
• Avoid congregating or gathering at entrances or in small shared spaces such as the bathroom. 
• If you need to pay for your food or drinks, use contactless payment options if possible. 
• Follow the venue's safety measures and stay in your allocated seat.

Travelling to an event

At Alert Level 2, you can travel to other regions that are at Alert Level 1 or 2 to attend a concert, conference, sports game or any other event. If the event is in an Alert Level 2 region, the gathering limits apply.

Public venues at Alert Level 2

At Alert Level 2, public venues such as libraries, art galleries and museums can open. Public venues also include indoor recreation facilities — for example, swimming pools, gyms and health clubs.

If people can safely maintain 2 metre physical distance, there is no limit on how many people can be inside. Some venues may choose to limit the number of visitors to meet physical distancing requirements. Please follow the instructions of the venue, and be prepared to queue. 

Employees working at indoor public venues legally must wear a face covering — except for at a swimming pool.

If you go to a public venue:

• keep 2 metres physical distance from people you do not know
• sign in using the NZ COVID Tracer app
• you legally must wear a face covering at all indoor public venues — except for when you are exercising
• wash or sanitise your hands after using shared equipment.

Sports and recreation at Alert Level 2

If you are feeling unwell, stay home and call Healthline or your doctor for advice. 

Even if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19, you should still stay home if you are feeling unwell. Staying home will help protect you, your whānau, friends and community.