UPDATED COVID-19 Alert Levels and Club Guidelines
Covid-19 Novel Coronavirus Information and Updates

Guide to acceptable Orienteering Activities under the Covid Protection Framework

Updated:  15 December 2021

Click here for downloadable version of ONZ CPF Traffic Light Grid

Click here for downloadable of ONZ CPF Guidelines and Requirements

Orienteering New Zealand


Running Orienteering events in NZ under the Covid-19 Protection
Framework – Guidelines and Requirements
Version – 15 Dec 2021


The Covid Protection Framework (CPF – also known as the Traffic Light system) introduced in
December 2021, replaces the previous Alert Level framework, which the Orienteering NZ Covid
guidelines have been based on. This document sets out new guidelines and requirements set by
Orienteering NZ, for clubs to adopt to be compliant with the new Covid Protection Framework and
to keep people safe in the sport.


In developing these orienteering specific guidelines, we have drawn on information provided by
Sport NZ, and refer to this in these guidelines. Much of this information has only recently been
shared by the government and Sport NZ, and we expect further refinements on this to be made in
due course and as more information comes to light. Our challenge with all of the information
provided by the government and Sport NZ, has been interpreting it for orienteering and ensuring it
applies appropriately to the unique aspects of the sport.


As stated in earlier versions of the Orienteering Covid Guidelines, our goal is to minimise the chance
of Covid transmission happening for participants attending orienteering events.


These guidelines and requirements have been developed with this goal in mind, and as such we ask
that clubs:

  1. Design their events so that they are fully compliant with these Covid guidelines and
    requirements, or
  2. Where events cannot be run safely and in line with these guidelines and requirements, to
    change, cancel or postpone those events.

If clubs are unclear on how they do this or have concerns with what we are asking, they should
contact ONZ for further clarification.

Vaccination Requirements


Ensuring the safety of competitors and attendees at events is an overarching priority which ONZ and
clubs need to be mindful of and take seriously. Given that the sport has a high number of
participants who are either young (and unable and/or not required to be vaccinated currently),
older, and some immunocompromised people, we are strongly encouraging of everyone associated
with the sport (and who are eligible) to be vaccinated. Whilst we recognise individuals need to make
their own choices around vaccination, decision makers and organisers in the sport also need to make
decisions and adopt practices which support a safe environment for people to orienteer in.


We also recognise that running events within the Covid Protection Framework is significantly easier
when catering to a vaccinated only audience, versus an event which may include non-vaccinated
people. The restrictions associated with allowing non vaccinated people to attend create a burden
on volunteers and organisers which needs to be taken into account.


These two factors; ensuring peoples safety, and minimising the burden associated with running
complex events, drive’s ONZ’s position on vaccination requirements:


Events where vaccinations are required by all eligible attendees


Larger events that have higher numbers and which are recognised “A grade” major events that
attract people nationally or internationally, will require vaccinations by all eligible attendees.
Children under the age of 12 are exempted from this requirement (as of December 2021). This
includes:


• All National Orienteering Champs (Foot, MTBO, Rogaine, School)
• All international events, including Oceania, World cup, etc
• All A grade events, including Regional Champs
• All School Sport NZ Sanctioned events (NZSS, NISS, SISS).


Note that School Sport NZ restrict participation in all their sanctioned events to those 12 and over
that are vaccinated until the end of the term 1 2022 holidays. This means that the NISS and SISS
events will both operate under these rules for 2022.


We are also aware that these events involve people coming together from different parts of the
country, or even internationally, so being open to vaccinated attendees only reduces the likelihood
of these becoming spreader events for the disease.


These major events will be able to happen under green or orange traffic light settings, but not red.

Events where clubs are encouraged, but not required, to adopt vaccine mandates for eligible
attendees


Organised club events of more than 50 people when operating under orange, or 100 people when
operating under green. These include all formal club events such as:


• OY’s
• Rogaines
• Summer series events
• Training events
• Other planned and organised club events

Events where clubs may choose not to check vaccination status


• Minor, informal club events and trainings of less than 50 people under orange, 100 people
under green.
• Virtual app-based events such as Maprunner


Whilst ONZ is mandating having eligible vaccinated only attendees at major events only, we
recommend clubs develop policy for how they wish to approach other club events. We understand
this can be a contentious matter to address and resolve in some clubs and ONZ would be happy to
assist or support clubs where required, to facilitate an outcome for that club.

Practical Guidelines


ONZ has produced a version of the Covid Protection Framework, aligned to the Sport NZ and Govt
framework, which will help clubs in terms of understanding the different requirements, as well as
suggested guidelines and practices.


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pF4GaHxgfvfOru8t55b7dTCGB1nYxsnWAqT5rBIFjF0/edit
Interpreting the Covid Protection Framework


Under the Covid Protection Framework, there is reference to “events” and “gatherings”. For the
most part, orienteering events would be categorized as gatherings, so clubs should look to
definitions and requirements associated with gatherings.


The Sport NZ website also has valuable resources that clubs may find useful for understanding what
is required for running events:

https://sportnz.org.nz/covid-19-response/covid-19-protection-framework/
The FAQ document has especially useful
https://sportnz.org.nz/resources/covid-19-protection-framework-faqs/

Recording vaccination status


All club members can have their vaccination status recorded on the Club Membership database after
a Vaccination Pass has been sighted.

This record can only be added/edited by the club database administrator or ONZ super admin. It will
be visible to the member if they log in to their membership record, but they can’t edit it.
To add Vaccination Pass data:

  1. Log in as an administrator to your club membership portal
  2. select members from the menu list left hand side of the page
  3. select edit (right hand side) for the member you want to record
  4. On the ‘Edit member’ page scroll to near the bottom to find Vaccine Pass Confirmation
    drop-down and Vaccine Pass Expiry Date to enter the data.
  5. Don’t forget to Save details at the bottom of the page

Communicating vaccine requirements to members


Of course, events should be advertised ahead of time as being accessible to vaccinated people only,
if that is what is agreed by clubs or required by ONZ.


When people arrive at the event, there should be clear signage advising the vaccination status of
that event, as well as a system of checking people’s vaccination certificates/ID’s.

Guidelines for Participants Attending Events


Clubs need to ensure all event attendees (participants and officials) are advised of the following
restrictions. These should be communicated prior to the event (e.g., website, marketing, and
promotion), as well as at each event:


• People should NOT attend any orienteering event if they are unwell with a cough, fever, or other
respiratory symptoms.
• If they have been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 until they have
completed the prescribed quarantine period, even if they are completely symptom free. If they have
returned from any overseas country until they have completed their allocated quarantine at an MIQ
facility. 2 December 2021
• If they are undergoing COVID-19 testing, until they have received negative results and are
symptom free.
• If they have visited a location of interest and are still completing the required testing and isolating
protocols as defined by the Ministry of Health.
• If they have been advised to stay at home by a health professional in relation to COVID-19 risks
and concerns.

Anyone that presents themselves as unwell and/or with any of the symptoms above, should be
directed to leave the event and contact a health provider by phone.
All participants should follow good hygiene practices, including:


• Using sanitizers before, during and after the event
• Use masks when not competing • Ensuring coughs and sneezes are contained using your elbow or
tissue/handkerchief.
• Ensure contact tracing details are provided at registration and that the club is notified when the
participant has finished competing, even if they did not complete the course.
• Comply with all health and safety instructions provided by the club as these are designed to keep
people safe and ensure good hygiene protocols are maintained.
• Avoiding spitting or blowing nasal mucus in places where others may come into contact with it.