Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

America's Cup: Slow release of brakes as NZ set to reduce COVID-19 Alert Levels

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 16 Apr 2020 20:02 PDT 17 April 2020
Te Aihe testing on the Waitemata Harbour © Emirates Team New Zealand

The latest update provided yesterday by the New Zealand Government provides some more detail into the ongoing restrictions and requirements around coronavirus and COVID-19, and how they affect America's Cup and local sailing.

New Zealand reported just eight new cases today, and two deaths - bringing the total to 11 deaths attributed to the disease, including several from a South Island rest home.

The country has been in Level 4 (the most extreme level) since March 26 and has severely restricted borders. All businesses (except for some deemed essential service) are closed. The objective of the NZ Government is the elimination of COVID-19, without a vaccine, rather than suppression to an acceptable level as is the case in most other nations. It is therefore likely that unless this objective changes that some degree of Alert is expected to remain in place until a vaccine is available.

The Lockdown is expected to be eased on Wednesday, following a government decision to be taken on Monday. The Alert Level is expected to be reduced to Level 3 from Level 4.

All businesses (except those involving any direct contact or coming within one metre of another person in an enclosed workspace) are allowed to commence normal operations. Schools will also recommence in a limited manner.

Sailing and boating are not permitted until the country is declared to be at Level 2 - which is expected within 2-4 weeks after Level 3 has been imposed.

Subject to restrictions on gatherings and use of facilities, club sailing should be able to recommence at Level 2. A lot of these issues around sailing participation go away if the clubhouse facility is not opened/used/accessed. Yachting NZ's advice to clubs can be viewed by clicking here.

It is expected that boat and other marine construction activities will be permitted once the alert level is downgraded to Level 3 on Wednesday.

In this respect, NZ will fall into line with two of the four America's Cup nations. American Magic and INEOS Team UK are believed to have continued their AC75 construction on a similar basis to Alert Level 3 environment in the USA and UK respectively. However, Luna Rossa's second AC75 is believed to be still in Bergamo at the epicentre of the Italian COVID-19 Lockdown.

There are general restrictions, (subject to review) on people wishing to enter New Zealand - being a 14-day stay at a Government provided and supervised facility before moving elsewhere. However, currently, there are few scheduled flights in and out of New Zealand. One major airline is reported to have flown just 900 passengers on Good Friday compared to 58,000 on the same day in 2019.

The detailed restrictions for all levels as of April 16 can be viewed by clicking here

At present, there would appear to be no reason why the America's Cup will not be held on time and on schedule. If social distancing requirements are still in place, then there may be some restrictions on fans watching from ashore. However, they should not affect TV and broadcast production. There are no restrictions on sizes of gatherings at Alert Level 1.

It should be noted that New Zealand will be host to a major regional political event - APEC 2021 which is due to be held in New Zealand from December 2020 (before the start of the America's Cup) until the Leaders Summit on December 2021. There will be nine major events held in three centres of New Zealand with 20,000 international visitors expected to attend under more flexible international visitor restrictions than currently apply.

While New Zealand has only suffered in a relatively small way in deaths from CONVID-19, the economic effects are expected to be substantial, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Some very reasonable accommodation and other deals should be available - both in Auckland for those wishing to extend their stay throughout New Zealand. Many of these small and medium-sized businesses will attempt to recover from a situation where a month ago they were viable businesses with good forward bookings, to a situation where most now have few bookings at all.

One tourism leader told a NZ Parliamentary oversight group that the tourism industry which normally injected $2billion per month into the NZ economy was "in hibernation". Currently, 50% of the hotels in Auckland are said to be closed. Most cafes and coffee houses will have to remain closed until Alert Level 2 is achieved.

New Zealand remains in a State of Emergency, with Parliament suspended. The State of Emergency was declared on March 25 and has been extended three times, with the current extension applying to April 21, 2020.

Related Articles

America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair? Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup fillibustered by Challengers
A Cup in turmoil - Protocol is unsigned - with entries due to open on Sunday. Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. However three teams are working in collusion and have again issued statements within minutes of each other. Posted on 29 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
America's Cup: Big changes in crew line-up
Women and Youth crews to sail in AC75 in the next Cup - Final Draft of AC38 Protocol Historic changes are proposed in the Final Draft of the Protocol released by the America's Cup Defender. For the first time a Female and Youth crew members will be part of the six-crew lineup on board the all-electric AC75s. Posted on 23 May
Zhik 2024 DecemberMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMExposure Marine