Alert Level 1 for Golf
Under Alert Level 1 the disease is contained in New Zealand.

The main controls under Alert Level 1 are border restrictions and managed isolation or quarantine for people entering the country.

The playing of golf and golf club operations under Alert Level 1 look like much like it did pre-COVID-19, with border restrictions.

There are no restrictions on golf club operations (including the hospitality component), no restrictions on gatherings, no requirements for physical distancing, and no requirements to keep records to enable contact tracing.

While none of the public health requirements are mandatory – it is important to remain vigilant and continue to practice good hygiene to minimise the risk of community transmission. 

At Alert Level 1 we should be vigilant in maintaining these good practices, so that we are prepared to quickly move into higher alert levels if we need to.


Contract tracing
The capacity to undertake rapid contract tracing is critical to enable quickly getting on top of and supressing any future outbreak. At Alert Level 1 record keeping to enable contact tracing is not a requirement. However, as part of public vigilance it is still encouraged. Contact tracing will be carried out for any probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Responsibility is on the individual to maintain a record of where they have been and who they have been in contact with to enable rapid contact tracing in the event they have contact with an active case.

Golf clubs do not have to maintain a register of participants but should continue to enable participants to contact trace by displaying QR codes and signage. It is useful retain these good practices if we have to move back up to level 2.

Cleaning and hygiene
Golfers should continue basic hygiene measures, like regularly washing and drying their hands with soap and coughing and sneezing into their elbow.

Golf clubs should continue to regularly clean shared surfaces and to provide hand washing or sanitising facilities. However, there is no requirement to deep clean or sanitise equipment between uses.

Public health measures and the ‘10 Golden Rules’

1. If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to work, school or socialise.
2. If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, call your doctor or healthline. Get tested (https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19/about-covid-19/covid-19-testing/).
3. Wash your hands.
4. Sneeze or cough into your elbow and regularly clean shared surfaces.
5. You must self-isolate if you’re told by officials to do so.
6. Stay healthy, work with your GP if you have underlying health issues.
7. Keep track of where you’ve been.
8. Businesses help people track movements by displaying the QR code.
9. Stay vigilant.
10. Be kind to others and be kind to yourself.