Sports ponder impact of new COVID travel rules

New Zealand sports teams are still digesting the latest rules around the re-opening of the country and what it might mean for their respective competitions

While border restrictions are being eased early next year allowing fully vaccinated New Zealanders who test negative for COVID-19 before departure from Australia to travel they still have to do a week’s self isolation when they arrive from Australia.

From mid-February fully vaccinated New Zealanders can arrive from other other countries – but still have to undergo a week of self-isolation.

Super Rugby Pacific is due to kick off on February 18th with Moana Pasifika playing the Brumbies in Auckland.

Under the news rules though non-New Zealanders would still have to go through two weeks of MIQ meaning the Brumbies would need an exemption to come here and play.

It’s only from the end of April that fully vaccinated foreign travellers can come here – but still have to do seven days of self isolation.

It would seem the change in rules will have little impact for the likes of the Warriors, both the men’s and women’s Phoneix A League football sides and the Breakers all of who are competing in Australian based competitions.

In a statement New Zealand Rugby’s Chris Lendrum said “like many other national sports organisations and businesses, we have been waiting for some direction around what the plan is for the re-opening of New Zealand’s borders.”

The “news has the potential to specifically affect the Super Rugby Pacific competition…we now need to see more detail from Government and continue working on our existing contingency planning with key partners including Rugby Australia, Sanzaar and our teams.”

Sport NZ chief executive Raelene Castle
Photo: Photosport

Sport New Zealand chief executive Raelene Castle said they’re “aware of the challenges faced by franchises and National Sporting Organisations who are part of trans-tasman competitions,” but there was no immediate clarity as to whether the new rules would help them.

“We intend to work with them to understand the implications of the border restrictions on their teams and players, and to determine next steps,” said Castle.

-RNZ