Covid-19 Information

31/3/2022

Many of you would have joined us in celebration that the government have made immediately changes to the response to Covid-19 and have indicated further changes in the near future.

These changes, recognise the confidence that the government have in our collective response to the pandemic and that the risks are reducing to where some normality can resume.

The latest changes immediately impact outdoor events with limits being removed effectively from last week at the RED settings.

While these easing of restrictions are widely celebrated, clubs should still be taking the time to consider the risk for their particular activity and ensure they have included the appropriate controls.

Click here for the updated guidance specific to Cycling following the Government’s announcement. Note that these guidelines are effective from 4/4/2022.

26/1/2022

Following the whole country moving to RED, Cycling New Zealand have reviewed their guidance and guidelines. It should be noted that the information from official channels is fluid and can change without notice. We recommend you regularly check on the official government and Sport NZ websites often.

In addition to updated guidelines, we have also developed a Covid-19 response plan template to assist clubs to document their approach to holding cycling activity during this pandemic.

This template is intended to provide you with guidance and examples to assist you to build your own plan - it is not your plan. You should review the template plan in full and determine what your response will be under each setting – based on the unique nature of your race(s). It is based around a club level race/event and is written based on a ‘My Vaccine Pass’, outdoor event. If you are running an event that doesn’t require a ‘My Vaccine Pass’ or it’s an inside event, you will need to determine additional mitigations to support the wellbeing of those attending as well as reviewing the Government Guidelines for this option.

Before going ahead with your race/event in the RED setting, you need to understand and accept that the national health response supersedes your desire to race. In addition to the Government requirements and guidelines and the intent of those guidelines, you should also consider the following questions:

• A plan always looks good on paper – consider how this will be delivered and supported in ‘real life’ (will also those attending support this plan?)

• Health and safety of all those attending the event – think about all those who attend your event (riders, volunteers, officials etc)?

• Health and safety of the host community – will holding the race/event place the host venue at risk (i.e. bringing more people into a community that has an outbreak?)

• The demographic of your participants - are they Under 12 (and therefore do not have to be vaccinated) or in any other ‘at risk’ category?

• Any directives from local authorities – will your venue or local council permit the race/event going ahead?

• Number and nature of community cases in the region – is there a significant uncontrolled Covid-19 outbreak in the host region?

• Expected timing of future government updates

• Any restrictions on travel between regions that will prevent some riders attending

• Current entries - is it sustainable to go ahead?

• Essential services – will essential services such as traffic management and medical still be available?

• Level of significance – what would be the likely consequence if the event doesn’t go ahead?

Click here to download the template.

Click here to view the current guidelines.

7/12/2021

Cycling New Zealand (CNZ) as the National Sporting Organisation of cycling in New Zealand, has prepared a range of broad advice regarding the sports interaction with the current COVID Protection Framework (CPF) – also known as the Traffic Light System. The following guidelines aim to summarise the intent of guidance and requirements within the CPF specifically how this could apply to cycling and how clubs and event organisers can continue or resume cycling activity safely.

These guidelines are written based on advice from the NZ Government and more specifically Sport NZ.

Being vaccinated means that more cycling activities and events can be delivered by clubs around NZ without the risk of them being cancelled due to traffic light restrictions.

Clubs are required to consider the health and safety of all those attending their activities and having a Covid-19 plan can provide confidence to those in your club or attending your event that you have considered their safety in your planning. In terms of Covid-19 one of the key decisions is whether or not you decide to operate requiring or not requiring CVC’s (Covid Vaccination Certificates) and what other controls you can put in place to decrease the risk of transmission of Covid-19.

Cycling New Zealand supports cycling to remain accessible to anyone who wishes to enjoy the sport, however, it should be recognised that to support the government guidelines there may be cycling activities that will likely require vaccine passes to be able to proceed, and some cycling clubs and venues will choose to require vaccine passes as part of their conditions of entry/participation.

There are some FAQ’s and helpful links included below but let us know through events@cyclingnewzealand.nz if you have any further questions.

General Principles of the Covid Protection Framework

Red is designed to protect at-risk people and the health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations.

Orange is designed to reduce increasing community transmission that is putting pressure on the public health system and at-risk people.

Green is designed to minimise the cases of COVID-19 community transmission. Under Green, community transmission is limited, hospitalisations are at a manageable level, and the health system is ready to respond.

Click here for the General Covid-19 Protection Framework.

Click here for the Sport NZ Covid-19 Protection Framework.

Click here for the Cycling New Zealand Protection Framework.

What do you need to consider?

Any club, group or persons organising the activity (excluding those hosting National Championships or School Sport NZ sanctioned events), have the ability to determine if they wish to use CVC’s (Covid Vaccination Certification) or not. The same club, group or persons then becomes responsible for delivering the CPF requirements of that decision.

Determine what category your activity falls into (Likely a Gathering or an event)
Consider the requirements for each of these settings under your current and likely traffic light colour.
Decide whether to designate your activity as a “My Vaccine Event” or if you can safely deliver the activity without vaccine passes. To assist with this decision you could undertake a short Risk Assessment or discuss it with your club members (also consider the requirements from any host venue or council-owned facility).
When making your decision, remember the overall intent of the guidelines is to protect at-risk people and minimise the community transmission of Covid-19.
Consider additional risk controls available (such as encouraging mask-wearing, social distancing, QR Codes etc).
Document your decision and how you intend to implement these decisions in your health and safety planning.
Communicate to those attending.

Gathering or Event?

Gathering* definition is: If your activity is regular and you all belong to the same group/club and you generally know all those taking part. e.g. a regular club ride where you are likely to know everyone. There is no registration, you just turn up, and it doesn’t attract any spectators or unknown participants.
Event* definition is: Where a specific organised activity is being undertaken under a formal entity, entry is controlled by ticketing or registration and you are likely not to know everyone. e.g: An open or inter-club event where you require those attending to register. You are expecting riders from outside your club, you have volunteers, official’s and are expecting spectators. You can have controlled and uncontrolled events. Controlled is where there is a defined and secure entry and exit point so you have full visibility and control over all those who are attending your event – participants, volunteers, officials, spectators (e.g. an inside velodrome, gated and fenced MTB or BMX Park etc). Un-controlled is where you only have visibility over participants, volunteers, officials and contractors but spectators and other members of the public are able to attend without a ticket or registration.

*Due to the lack of specific interpretation of a Gathering V an Event from either Sport NZ or the Government, Cycling New Zealand has developed the above definitions to provide some guidance specifically using Cycling examples. This is subject to change as more information is distributed.

If you are using My Vaccine passes

Clubs can choose to operate following My Vaccine Pass requirements. This means that all people taking part or attending your event/gathering need to provide a vaccine pass, including staff, contractors and volunteers. Children under 12 years and 3 months are exempt from this.
Where possible, Clubs must display a poster advertising if they require people entering to have a My Vaccine Pass or if your event is not at a venue you must promote this decision on your website, via email and social media and at posters at your event.
Checking and verifying of vaccine passports is required “as best as reasonably practical in all settings”. This should be mandatory at Controlled Events and for all those under your control at un-controlled events (participants, volunteers, officials) and consider other methods to checking spectators. For gatherings, you can consider asking your club members once and then recording this for future reference. See FAQ’s around storing and recording.

You are not required to complete a risk assessment or undertake any consultation prior to making this decision but we still recommend you do this to understand where the specific risk lies and who may be impacted.
You have an additional duty of care for those who are considered ‘workers’. These are the groups of people that you have included in your safety planning. These would include any club members undertaking a formal role at the event and any volunteers assisting on the day. This includes requiring Masks for any ‘workers’ and they are strongly encouraged for others.
In addition to vaccination, we recommend you consider other risk controls and messaging that can assist with keeping those attending your gathering/event safe. These can include:
- Stay at home if you are sick
- Stay at home if you awaiting the results from being tested for COVID-19
- Stay at home if you have been in contact with any known/suspected cases in the past 14 days
- Stay at home if you have returned, or been in contact with anyone else who has returned, from overseas in the past 7 days
- Wear a mask when not participating (not mandatory but encouraged)
- Use NZ Covid tracer app and scan when attending events or visiting other businesses
- Hand hygiene
- Cough and sneeze etiquette
- Avoid touching your face
- Physical Distancing when not participating
- Contact Event organisers if you test positive for Covid-19 following the event.

If you are not using My Vaccine passes

Events and Gatherings can go ahead without requiring My Vaccine Passes although these are subject to additional restrictions. To assist with this decision you could undertake a short Risk Assessment or discuss it with your club members.
This means that all people taking part or attending your event/gathering are not required to provide a vaccine pass, including staff, contractors and volunteers.
You have an additional duty of care for those who are considered ‘workers’. These are the groups of people that you have included in your safety planning. These would include any club members undertaking a formal role at the event and any volunteers assisting on the day. This includes requiring Masks for any ‘workers’ and are strongly encouraged for others.
You will need to ensure all those attending the event understand your decision not to require My Vaccine passes. You can do this through your website, via email and social media.
We recommend you consider other risk controls and messaging that can assist with keeping those attending your gathering/event safe. These can include:
- Stay at home if you are sick
- Stay at home if you awaiting the results from being tested for COVID-19
- Stay at home if you have been in contact with any known/suspected cases in the past 14 days
- Stay at home if you have returned, or been in contact with anyone else who has returned, from overseas in the past 7 days
- Wear a mask when not participating (not mandatory but encouraged)
- Use NZ Covid tracer app and scan when attending the event or visitng other businesses
- Hand hygiene
- Cough and sneeze etiquette
- Avoid touching your face
- Physical Distancing when not participating
- Contact Event organisers if you test positive for Covid-19 following the event.

National Championships

Cycling New Zealand are committed to providing the safest environment for all our cycling community who participate, support and engage with our sport at a national championship level.

Being vaccinated means that more cycling activities and events can be delivered around NZ, without the risk of them being cancelled due to traffic light restrictions and can provide confidence to those attending your event that you have considered their safety in your planning.

To enable the best chance for the events to go ahead, Cycling New Zealand will be operating all the 2022 National Championship events as “My Vaccine Pass” events. As such, all participants, team support, officials, volunteers and spectators will be required to hold a valid My Vaccine Pass.

This decision, while it hasn’t been taken lightly, has been made to support the health and wellbeing of all those within our cycling community, supports the requirements of a number of our host venues and will also give the events the best chance of going ahead as the country moves forward with the Covid Protection Framework.

To provide clarity and certainty for all our community, this decision will apply to all the 2022 National Championship events.

In the case of a host region being in RED, the events specific Covid response Plan will determine any actions required which may include a revised programme or schedule (to support the 100 person limit at one time), postponement or cancellation with any decisions to maintain the integrity of the National Championship status.

School Sport NZ sanctioned events

The board of School Sport NZ have confirmed that all School Sport NZ sanctioned events in Term 1 2022 (including the term 1 holidays) will be restricted to fully vaccinated participants (all those aged 12 and over). Where practicable, this mandate extends to spectators attending also. This decision will be reviewed post Summer Tournament Week 2022 and taking into account the latest Government advice.

The board of School Sport NZ is acutely aware that this mandate will result in some students being unable to participate in School Sport NZ sanctioned events, in some cases through no fault of their own. School Sport NZ will support its regional school sport partners where appropriate to shape alternative regional or intra-school options.

For clubs hosting a School Sport NZ sanctioned event on behalf of Cycling New Zealand Schools – you will be contacted by Cycling New Zealand Schools with more details.

For clubs hosting a regional schools event that is sanctioned by their regional sports body – they should contact them directly to understand their requirements.

Where can I go for more information?

Sport NZ CPF Framework

Sport NZ FAQ’s

Covid-19 Official Government Website

AKTIVE Auckland for templates

FAQ’s

Who is considered a 'worker'?

A worker is defined as someone essential to running the event/activity. A volunteer, official, timing person, medical staff etc. Not parents or not spectators.

Can 'workers' work across different defined groups?

Workers are able to work across multiple groups.

Do those within a group need to physical distance themselves from others in the same group?

We would recommend you maintain physical distance if and when you can, however, people inside their own group of 100 do not have to physically distance.

Do people take their ‘colour’ with them i.e. what if you have riders from a red region coming to your event which is in an Orange region?

Travelling between regions is allowed (the Auckland border will open from 15 Dec). When travelling to events with different CPF Levels, riders must follow the regulations of the region they are travelling to and gathering in (not where they have come from). E.g. A rider from RED regions travelling to an ORANGE region, must follow ORANGE regulations. The opposite will also apply, if a rider from an ORANGE region travels to a RED region, RED regulations apply to that rider.

What if we are planning an event but we are currently in RED but maybe in ORANGE by the time the event takes place?

You should ensure that you have a plan to deliver the event in red (and that it is sustainable) and if this requires you to limit your entries you could look at running a waitlist and opening this up in the event you move to Orange.

If we are using CVC’s can we have a few non-vaccinated people?

If CVCs are being used for an event or gathering, there is no allowance under regulations to be able to accept non-vaccinated participants or supporters, as any part of the event or gathering. As soon as one non-vaccinated person attends the event then it is deemed a non-vaccinated event. (Excluding those U12’s who count towards numbers but not make the event a non-vaccinated event)

Are we are a gathering or event?

Due to the lack of specific interpretation of a Gathering V an Event from either Sport NZ or the Government, Cycling New Zealand has developed the above definitions to provide some guidance specifically using Cycling examples. This is subject to change as more information is distributed.

Gathering definition is: If your activity is regular and you all belong to the same group/club and you generally know all those taking part. e.g. a regular club ride where you are likely to know everyone. There is no registration, you just turn up, and it doesn’t attract any spectators or unknown participants.
Event definition is: Where a specific organised activity is being undertaken under a formal entity, entry is controlled by ticketing or registration and you are likely not to know everyone. e.g: An open or inter club event where you require those attending to register. You are expecting riders from outside your club, you have volunteers, official’s and are expecting spectators. You can have controlled and uncontrolled events. Controlled is where there is a defined and secure entry and exit point so you have full visibility and control over all those who are attending your event – participants, volunteers, officials, spectators (e.g. an inside velodrome, gated and fenced MTB or BMX Park etc). Un-controlled is where you only have visibility over participants, volunteers, officials and contractors but spectators and other members of the public are able to attend without a ticket or registration.

What if the venue we are using has a different approach?

You will need to clarify any requirements of the venue before you finalise your planning. They may have a different approach to requirements that you will need to consider E.g. if the venue requires that you hold a My Vaccine Pass’ event then you will need to comply. We recommend you discuss your requirements and share your risk assessment with the venue and work towards an outcome that will meet both of your needs.

Can we have multiple bubbles at the same time?

While the definition of “Bubbles’ is no longer being used – the concept is still accepted is more referred to as “multiple gatherings’. You will need to ensure that you are meeting all the requirements of a defined space if you are looking at operating multiple gatherings and that you are still meeting the intent of the Covid Protection Framework.

Do members need to keep wearing a mask?

You are not required to wear a face-covering when you are playing sport or engaging in recreational activities. The requirements for face coverings depend on the traffic light setting:

At Green, face coverings are mandatory for any ‘workers’ at your event/gathering and recommended for others.
At Orange, face coverings are mandatory for any ‘workers’ at your event/gathering and are encouraged for others.
At Red, face coverings are mandatory for any ‘workers’ at your event/gathering and strongly recommended for others.

Who are counted in capacity limits?

The capacity limits do not include ‘workers’ – this would be any club members in an official role, volunteers, officials or contractors on site.

What if we have Under 12’s coming?

If you have U12’s (who can’t be vaccinated currently) they count towards your limits but don’t make it a “non-vaccinated event”. Anyone over 12 years and 3 months is required to be vaccinated

Can we use a negative test instead of a ‘My Vaccine Pass’

If you are operating under a ‘My Vaccine Pass event” you cannot use a negative test in lieu of proof of vaccine.

What if we don’t have control entry and exit points?

Checking and verifying of vaccine passports is required “as best as reasonably practical in all settings”. This should be mandatory at Controlled Events and for all those under your control at un-controlled events (participants, volunteers, officials) and consider other methods to checking spectators. For gatherings, you can consider asking your club members once and then recording this for future reference.

How do we check and verify all those attending My Vaccine Pass?

You can download a free MOH App to scan and verify ‘My Vaccine Passes”. Click here for more. For regular club activity (gatherings) you can ask your members to email their vaccine pass (so they don’t have to be checked each time) but you cannot hold the record – you can record that you have verified it and note the expiry date but you must delete the email and any record of the pass itself.

The last step is important as vaccine passes must not be stored in any way (including in email archives).

What if someone tells us they have a medical exemption?

Anyone with an official and approved medical exemption will still have a “My Vaccine Pass” – it will look like all the others (be careful here as there are some fake one going around)

Can my club mandate vaccinations?

As a club you are able to mandate vaccinations. This can be a condition of entry. You do not have to complete a risk assessment or go through any consultation etc – see more here to clarify https://sportnz.org.nz/media/4648/final-vaccination-guidance-10-nov-2021.pdf . You should still consider undertaking a Risk Assessment to support your decision.

If we decide to make our cycling events “My Vaccine Pass” events, what can we add to our terms and conditions?

An example could be: “In line with government guidelines, I understand this event will require all participates to hold a current My Vaccine Pass. In agreeing to these terms and conditions I confirm that I hold, or will hold a current and valid ‘My Vaccine Pass’ (issued by the NZ Government) and agree to provide verification of this prior to participating or at any time when I am onsite at the event”

You could also consider adding a compulsory question in your entry forms to ensure your participants are aware of the My Vaccine Pass.

“I understand this event requires a ‘My Vaccine Pass’ and that I will be asked for verification prior to my participation in this event”

What does this mean for National Championship events?

Cycling New Zealand are committed to providing the safest environment for all our cycling community who participate, support and engage with our sport at a national championship level.

To provide clarity and certainty for all our community, this decision will apply to all the 2022 National Championship events.

Covid-19 Information

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