New Zealand skifield operators were delighted with today's announcement signalling a ski season can begin in late June, provided the Covid-19 virus remains relatively controlled.
- Businesses to open, but entry to level 2 could be phased
- Queenstown Airport to get back up and running
- Revealed: The rules of alert level 2
- Schools, childcare open for all at level 2
- Hairdressers to reopen at alert level 2
- Professional sport to return at Alert Level 2
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today that under level 2 domestic travel, which was previously restricted under the level 2 guidelines, would be allowed.
Cardrona Alpine Resort general manager Bridget Legnavsky said the company had 71 permanent staff and would be recruiting more from the beginning of next month.
She believed under the conditions of level 2, skifields could operate safely although there would be restrictions on how such things as the cafe, lift queues and chair lifts operated.
Ms Legnavsky was pleased to see travel restrictions easing to allow skiers from around the country to travel to skifields.
Her main concern was the possibility of a further virus outbreak, requiring the country to go back to level 3 or 4.
The Government's rules and recommendations around tourism and travel are as follows:
You can travel, but make sure you do it in a safe way.
COVID-19 is a disease you can spread without knowing you have it. You can travel around the country if you follow good personal health measures. You will need to keep records of what travel services you use and keep track of who you have been in contact with. You should keep your distance from groups of people you don’t know. You should minimise the number of places you stop on the way to your destination.
You must not travel to events which do not meet the requirements for gatherings at Alert Level 2.
Tips for minimising risk while travelling:
- Try to limit taking public transport, or use at off-peak times.
- Avoid sitting next to someone you don’t know, or standing.
- If you’re flying or taking other forms of transport that involve bookings, follow the physical distancing instructions from your transport operators.
- You must not travel if you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, awaiting a test, or if you need to self-isolate.
