Orienteering New Zealand in consultation with Orienteering Wellington have made the decision to postpone the Orienteering NZ National Championships. This event was scheduled to be held 10-13 April. A number of factors influenced this decision, including the ban on gatherings of 500 people or more, and loss of access to the sprint map due to restrictions imposed by the School (landowner) due to COVID-19. National school events (e.g. NISSC) have also been postponed.

Update 18/3/20: NZ trials for JWOC & UWOC are cancelled. The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) yesterday cancelled all IOF events until May 31. In the light of this it is now extremely unlikely that JWOC and WUOC will go ahead as scheduled.

Local event guidelines have also been published.

People should NOT attend any orienteering event IF:

• They are unwell with a cough or fever or other respiratory symptoms.
• They have been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 until they have completed the 14-day quarantine period, even if they are completely symptom free.
• They have returned from any overseas country until they have completed the self-quarantine period for 14 days, even if they are symptom free
• They are undergoing COVID-19 testing, until they have received negative results and are symptom free
• They have been advised to stay at home by a health professional.

Competitors who fit within the higher at risk groups such as elderly or immunocompromised individuals are advised to take particular care and/or make decisions on attendance with due consideration to the risks associated with COVID-19.

Full details of event guidelines are here: https://www.orienteering.org.nz/news/covid-19-coronavirus-update-march-17-2020/