Events industry outside Auckland is ‘excited’ to move to alert level 1

Sports games and arts events are set for the crowds to return, as everyone living outside Auckland can return to a semblance of normalcy with the loosening of the mass gathering rules.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that on Monday at 11:59 PM, the country, in addition to Auckland, would drop to Level 1. Auckland would move to Level 2 on Wednesday and abide by the rules.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has caused the cancellation of several events across the country.

The event organizers will now make decisions on whether to postpone or cancel future concerts and productions in Auckland, while in the rest of the country people are breathing with relief as restrictions on mass gatherings will ease.

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What is the difference between alert level 1 and alert level 2?

Auckland will remain at Alert Level 2.5 until Wednesday, when it goes to Alert Level 2.

For Aucklandites, this means that they will be in the “reduction” stage that the government’s Covid-19 website has described as when “the disease is contained, but the risk of community transmission remains.”

Masks or covers are mandatory in public transport for this level or higher.

There are public health measures on physical distancing in public places and work spaces. Although hygiene measures are also recommended, such as washing your hands regularly.

Meetings of up to 100 people are allowed.

For the rest of the country, life has returned to normal: everyone can return to work, school, sports and national trips are underway.

There are no limitations for meetings.

What about the events?

Robbie Macrae, who is the director of Auckland Live and Auckland Conventions, Venues & Events, who runs venues like Aotea Center, The Civic, and Auckland Town Hall,

He said he was continually reviewing how he could use more spaces on Level 2 while adhering to government guidelines by using zoning in cinemas.

In Auckland, an event called Battle Chorus could take place on Friday night at The Wintergarden under level 2 restrictions.

Some of the conference activity, the ticket office and lobbies in the Aotea Center and the BOX café and bar could operate on level 2.

“But our focus is on the return of the great shows that we know Auckland loves,” Macrae said.

One of those great shows is Mary Poppins, which was scheduled to open at The Civic in early October.

The co-director of G&T Productions, which runs Mary Poppins, Terry O’Connor said the musical had been rescheduled from October 15 to November 1, as it could only operate at alert level 1.

“He has been delayed in the hope that [the Government] announces that Auckland can return to alert level 1 by then, “O’Connor said.

While kiwi dubbing band Fat Freddy’s Drop’s concert in Wellington on Thursday will continue, the band’s Auckland concert at Spark Arena has been postponed.

Near Wellington’s waterfront, locals have had the opportunity to participate in the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world. Wellington Digital Nights: Van Gogh Alive.

In August, however, ticket holders were told that due to alert level 2 restrictions, the event needed to reduce the number of people attending on certain days.

WellingtonNZ General Manager of Events and Experiences Warrick Dent said that while the Monday and Tuesday sessions would still run at limited capacity, as of Wednesday, they would follow Alert Level 1 rules, which meant that up to 300 people could experience the event in a free-flowing style.

People on the waiting list would have the opportunity to purchase tickets soon and the general sale would occur on Wednesday morning, Dent said.

The exhibition will be open until October 25.

Dent said operating under Level 2 restrictions proved challenging and larger-scale events such as the Royal New Zealand Ballet shows were not possible.

Organizers could anticipate games and sporting events like Beervana without restrictions on numbers, he said.

Visa Wellington on a Plate festival director Sarah Meikle said she was very excited about Monday’s announcement.

With Level 1, there was a greater level of freedom and convenience around organizing the Dine Wellington, Burger Wellington and Cocktail Wellington parts of the festival, he said.

Tickets were selling at the same rate as in previous seasons and had attracted domestic travelers, Meikle said.

In Dunedin, Regent Theater Director Sarah Anderson said she was very pleased and happy to be able to continue the theater’s busy schedule.

This was a good time for people to support their local venues, he said.

In Christchurch, Court Theater executive director Barbara George said that while at alert level 2, shows had to be in the lobby that met the assembly rules.

With the move to Level 1, George said his next show Rants in the Dark could return to the auditorium that held up to 300 people.

It was great that the show went according to plan, he said.