Page last updated: June 11 2020

No restrictions on gatherings

At Alert Level 1 there are no restrictions on gatherings.

All public and private events and gatherings, sports and cultural activities can now go ahead. That includes any held indoors or outdoors, without limits on numbers or any physical distancing requirements.

We must continue to be vigilant as COVID-19 is still uncontrolled overseas.

Organisers of gatherings are encouraged to help people record where they’ve been and provide the ability for attendees to practice good hygiene.

Event organisers

Display and use QR codes

We are asking people to keep a record of where they’ve been to support any future contact tracing if required. This includes when people attend gatherings.

If you have a business or other entity, including venues that host gatherings you can help prevent the future spread of COVID-19 by displaying a QR code. This will help people using apps to keep track of where they’ve been.

Read more about the NZ COVID Tracer app.

Good hygiene

Attendees should have access to appropriate hand washing facilities with soap and water, and the ability to dry their hands thoroughly. Provide an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Keep communal areas such as bathrooms and high-touch surfaces like door handles and payment machines clean. Use an appropriate cleaning solution.

Read more about general cleaning during the COVID-19 response.

Attending a gathering

Stay home and avoid attending a gathering of any size if you are:

• unwell
• a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19
• waiting for a COVID-19 test result
• self-isolating – read more about self-isolation.

Health care workers should be extra vigilant with hygiene practices at social gatherings to avoid infection.

Use basic hygiene

Use good hygiene such as frequent hand washing with soap and water, and cough and sneeze into your elbow. Use hand sanitiser if provided.

To help prevent further spread of COVID-19 and other viruses (eg, the common cold or influenza) you may want to keep up physical distancing where possible. While the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is low, it may re-emerge and you should always follow basic hygiene to prevent spreading any virus (eg, the common cold or influenza) that can be easily spread when people get together.

Read more about protecting yourself with good hygiene.

People at higher risk

People at higher risk of COVID-19 infection are encouraged to take extra precautions when leaving home to protect your own health. Use your judgement. You may want to avoid large gatherings as much as possible.

Read information for people at high risk of COVID-19 infection.

Managing risk

If COVID-19 re-emerges and spreads further in New Zealand, restrictions on gatherings are likely to be re-introduced. In this situation, organisers of gatherings may be asked to postpone or cancel their event.

Details of ticketing for contact tracing purposes at large events of over 1,000 attendees is being developed.