Sports and recreation

Sports and recreation at Alert Level 2

At Alert Level 2, you can do your usual sport and recreation activities if you can do them safely. But if you are sick, stay home. 

When exercising in public, try to keep a 2 metre distance from people you do not know if possible.

You can do activities like:

• walking, biking and hunting, including on public conservation land — overnight trips are okay
• swimming at a public swimming pool, but there will be restrictions
• going to the gym, but there will be restrictions
• boating and motorised watersports.

When exercising outside, try to record the route you took and when. You can exercise with others in a group. Someone in the group should keep a record of the people you're with.

Guidelines for sport and recreation at Alert Level 2 | Sport NZ (external link)

Using DOC facilities at Alert Level 2 (external link)

Parks and playgrounds

At Alert Level 2, public parks and playgrounds are open and families can get together for their children to play. You can drive to play in a public space, for example a beach or a park.

Try to keep 2 metres away from people you do not know. 

Wash or sanitise your hands after using shared equipment, and encourage tamariki (children) to do the same.

Indoor recreation facilities

At Alert Level 2, indoor sports facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, dance studios and health clubs can open, but with extra safety measures.

You will need to keep 2 metres apart from others. Facilities may restrict numbers to help with physical distancing.

Wipe down and clean shared gym equipment after you use it.

If you use a recreation facility, remember to sign in using the NZ COVID Tracer app.

Advice for workers

• Personal trainers or coaches are encouraged to wear a face covering as they are in contact with many people.
• All workers must keep 2 metres apart from customers and clients using the services.

Advice for clients and members

• You should wear a face covering whenever possible, but it is not a requirement when exercising and playing sports.
• Keep a record of wherever you visit.
• Follow physical distancing measures.

Team sports

At Alert Level 2, team sports events can continue. These are limited to 50 people in an indoor defined space, and 100 people at an outdoor defined space.

Defined spaces

The indoor and outdoor gathering limits includes players and spectators — referees and officials are not included.

If a sports ground has more than 1 field, you can play multiple games at the same time, as long as each group is separated. Groups should try not to mix with each other, or share common facilities such as changing rooms at the same time.

If you are organising a sports event, make sure everyone records their visit. If you are watching the event, stand 2 metres away from others. 

You do not need to wear a face covering when participating in team sports.

Close contact sports

At Alert Level 2, you can participate in close-contact sports —  for example, boxing, wrestling or martial arts. The person organising the activity needs to make sure:

• there are no more than 50 people if the sport is being played indoors
• there are no more than 100 people if the sport is being played outdoors
• they keep a record of all the people participating and spectating.

If you are playing a close contact sport, you may want to modify activities or exercises to limit physical contact. Try to keep 2 metres away from others when you are not participating in the sport or activity.

Try not to share equipment — for example boxing gloves, hit pats, punching bags. If you do need to share equipment, wash or sanitise it before and after you use it.

You do not need to wear a face covering when playing sport. We encourage instructors and trainers to wear one, if possible.

Whitebaiting

At Alert Level 2, you can fish for whitebait as long as you keep a 2 metre physical distance from other fishers. You also need to follow the whitebait regulations.

Skiing and snowboarding

Ski fields can open at Alert Level 2, and you can travel anywhere within an Alert Level 1 or 2 region to go skiing or snowboarding. We encourage you to wear a face covering in places where it is difficult to keep a safe distance from others — for example in lift lines, on the chairlift and in the cafe area.

Advice for skifields

There are no restrictions on the number of people that can be at a skifield, but you may choose to limit numbers to help with physical distancing. Skifields must follow the public health guidelines for businesses. This includes:

• Customer facing staff in indoor areas must wear a face covering — for example, cafes, retail or ski hire.
• Displaying an NZ COVID Tracer app QR code, and having an alternate way for customers to record their visit.
• Limiting indoor cafes and restaurants to 50 people — people must be seated to be served.
• No more than 100 people in outdoor seating areas — people must be seated to eat and drink.
• Keeping to physical distancing guidelines — customers must stay 1 metre apart in cafes and restaurants, and 2 metres apart in retail areas — for example at ski hire.
• Keeping up good hygiene and cleaning practices.

If you are going to a ski field

• Wear a face covering wherever possible. You must wear a face covering in all indoor areas — for example, in cafes or in the retail store. You can take your mask off to eat and drink.
• If you are using mountain transport — for example, buses or shuttles, you need to wear a face covering.
• Scan in using the NZ COVID Tracer app, or record your details for contact tracing.
• Follow the physical distancing rules when using indoor areas.
• Try to keep 2 metres away from people you do not know.
• Wash or sanitise your hands after using shared or rental equipment.
• Stay home if you are unwell.
• Follow the advice of the ski field — they may have additional rules to keep you safe.

Sporting events

Professional leagues can go ahead at Alert Level 2 because they take place in controlled workplaces.

High Performance Sport New Zealand activities can take place at Alert Level 2 using a controlled workplace approach in consultation with WorkSafe.

Spectators at professional sports games are limited to:

• groups of 50 in a defined indoor space
• groups of 100 in a defined outdoor space.

Defined spaces (external link)

Rules for gatherings and events at Alert Level 2

Travelling to a sporting event

You can travel to other regions that are at Alert Level 1 or 2 to attend a sports game or tournament. If the event is in an Alert Level 2 region, the indoor and outdoor gathering limits apply. 

If you are travelling to an Alert Level 1 region to watch or take part in a sports game or tournament, make sure you do it in a safe way. This includes:

• keeping a record of who you have been in contact with, and what transport services you used
• wearing a face covering on public transport services and flights
• keeping a 2 metre distance from people you do not know
• regularly washing or sanitising your hands.