Following today’s Cabinet meeting the Prime Minister announced that the entire country, outside of Auckland, will move to Alert Level 2 from 11.59pm on Tuesday, 7 September.

Auckland remains in Alert Level 4 until next Monday, 13 September, where that will be reviewed, along with the Alert Level for the remainder of the country.

There are, however, changes to Alert Level 2 regulations under Delta, which include the mandatory use of face coverings indoors.  There is also a further tightening of the numbers permitted by the government at indoor venues, with this now limited to 50 people.  Outdoor venues can cater for 100 people, provided the requirements around seating and physical distancing are maintained.

NZTR is consulting with clubs which race over the coming fortnight about the practicalities of working within these tightened restrictions for race meetings and will advise the outcome tomorrow.   The Woodville Racing Club has already advised that its meeting on Thursday will be conducted as a closed-door meeting.

Participants are reminded of the need to continue to adhere to the regulations, particularly the use of masks and physical distancing.  Under the stricter Delta Level 2 regulations it has been determined that masks will continue to be mandatory at all times on the racecourse and Health Declarations will also still be required from those entering the racecourse.

An updated version of NZTR’s regulations at Delta Level 2 will be available online tomorrow.

While Auckland participants are still unable to move between regions, those in Northland will be permitted to travel through Auckland to Waikato, provided they travel directly and have proof of travel.

Travel across regions is now allowed under Delta Level 2, meaning trainers and jockeys will be free to travel from Southland to Canterbury or Taranaki to Hawke’s Bay for example. NZTR is still consulting regarding inter-Island travel of participants.