[ad_1]
The first weekend of the America’s Cup tops a list of major events across the country that are canceled or postponed in response to changes in the Covid-19 alert level.
Auckland entered Level 3 at 6 am Sunday, while the rest of the country moved to Level 2, following the discovery of two new cases in the community.
The start of the America’s Cup regatta had been delayed four days until at least March 10.
Todd Niall / Stuff
Spectators in the America’s Cup village during races under recent Covid-19 alert level 2 restrictions
The clash between defender Team New Zealand and Italy’s Luna Rossa should have started on March 6.
America’s Cup Event Limited said it wanted to provide certainty, while continuing to work with authorities.
READ MORE:
* Covid-19: thousands of people miss the children’s triathlon, the earthquake concert will be broadcast live
* Covid-19 seven-day lockdown: what travelers need to know
Racing was able to continue into the Prada Cup finals for challengers below alert level 2, with cup town attractions closed and crowds scattered, but there was no discretion below level 3.
“ACE will request an exemption to compete under Level 3 restrictions to keep as many options open as possible. However, the races will not take place before at least Wednesday March 10th, ”said President Tina Symmans.
The first major event to fall was one of the city’s biggest public participation events – the annual Round the Bays race, which draws tens of thousands of people to shore.
“We know how much all of our participants were waiting on the day of the event, but we respect the need to keep everyone safe and contain the spread of Covid-19,” organizers said.
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
The Round the Bays race in Auckland will be the first major event to be canceled on Sunday, February 28.
The Lantern Festival, which has already been delayed for a week due to the recent Level 2 alert phase, was due to start on Thursday, but it seemed likely to be canceled, as it happened in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic was unfolding.
A speed meeting scheduled for Sunday night in Western Springs would not take place. It would have included the final of the national dwarf championship.
A double cricket match at Eden Park next Friday could not go ahead, where Australia was due to face the Black Caps in the fourth game of their T20 series.
Joe Allison / Getty Images
The Australian and the Black Caps shown here in Dunedin on Thursday will not play in their Eden Park T20 on Friday.
Meanwhile, the remaining events at the Auckland Pride Festival were canceled.
“Updates on the status of events that were scheduled to take place between Sunday, February 28 and Sunday, March 7 will be updated in due course,” the organizers said in a statement.
The Pride Festival of China, which originally moved from March 5 to March 7, could not take place while Auckland was at alert level 3 due to the number of people expected to attend.
The Iman Ball was also moved to March 5 due to alert level changes, but will not be able to move forward on schedule.
SOL3 MIO’s upcoming shows in New Plymouth, Wanganui, Wellington, Palmerston North, and Hamilton would be postponed until a later date.
“The SOL3 MIO team is very grateful to be able to put on four shows this week for their South Island fans and is determined to offer the rest of the tour when it is safe to do so,” said the organizers.
Hamilton
Crowded House said their upcoming Hamilton and Napier concerts would be rescheduled later in March. The promoters advised people to keep the tickets, and those who couldn’t make it to the new dates would receive a refund.
Wellington
The last day of the three-day Wings over Wairarapa air show was canceled on Sunday.
“We were very disappointed to make this call, but the health and safety of our entire team, volunteers, ticket holders, pilots and exhibitors is paramount, and we must follow the guidelines of the Government and the Ministry of Health,” said Bob Francis, President of Wings Over Wairarapa airshow said.
“Yet what a magnificent two-day airshow we had.”
Ticket holders will be contacted about refunds.
Wellington’s Newtown Festival has been canceled as a result of Alert Level 2 restrictions.
The festival, which was due to take place on Sunday, March 7, announced its decision on Twitter, saying that the decision not to hold the festival was difficult, but the best option for everyone involved.
“We will be contacting our street vendors and artists today to confirm that this Sunday is free and to discuss options.”
“From the bottom of our hearts, we feel so much for all who have been working so hard to achieve this and for those who are looking forward to Sunday. We too are really devastated. “
Gold scissors
The 61st Golden Shears, which was scheduled to take place in Masterton this week, has been canceled. The decision was made at an emergency executive meeting Sunday morning.
Entrance fees and tickets will be refunded.
The Golden Shears, with more than 300 registered competitors, were to be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Masterton War Memorial Stadium, where the Golden Shears have been held every year since 1961.
South Island Events
Up to 10,000 youth participants and their supporters were expected at the Christchurch Weetbix Tryathalon event on Sunday, which was canceled after the government-announced change to alert levels on Saturday night.
The Christchurch event was one of several events in the city that was canceled due to level 2 restrictions.
Ōtautahi Christchurch, a concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake with Bic Runga and Hayley Westenra, was canceled and instead streamed live starting at 2pm
“Please do not go to the Botanical Gardens to look for him, the area where the concert was to be will be cordoned off and we will not allow people to enter,” said Mary, leader of the Covid-19 Incident Management Team at Christchurch City Council. Richardson said Sunday morning.
The Christchurch Highway Half Marathon and New Zealand Mountain Bike Championships were held, but with level 2 restrictions.
MURRAY WILSON / THINGS / Things
A previous Weetbix KidsTRYathlon in Only Park, left, Julia Hutchinson 8 and Ella James, 8, of Turitea school. Of the 18 Tryathalons planned across the country, five were canceled due to changes to the Covid-19 alert level.
TRYathalon organizers were disappointed but happy to deliver on the government level change announcement Saturday night, spokeswoman Jane Grayson said.
45 minutes after the government’s announcement, a cancellation text was sent to 3,200 young participants.
Of the 18 TRYathalons planned across the country this year, five were canceled due to changes to the Covid-19 alert level.
Grayson said participants would be emailed with details on how to receive a refund, and there would be an option for a DIY TRYathalon that they could make on their own.
Organizers of the Christchurch Armageddon Expo next weekend said the event could not continue due to level changes.
They were hoping to reschedule the event, but said it wouldn’t happen in March or April. Refunds would be arranged for ticket holders, or could be used for the rescheduled event.
Christchurch Holi-Festival of Colors would not take place at all this year.
Organizers said people could still buy Maia Foods colors at 320 Cashel St, so they can celebrate with close friends and family.
“Next year’s Holi will be bigger, brighter and more colorful,” they said.
