Fencing NZ continues to monitor the situation with regard to rules around participation in sport and vaccinations and note that the implementation of the new Government Covid Protection Framework (traffic light) system is anticipated prior to Christmas.
Under this system, organisations that have not implemented a Vaccine Certificate Requirement will only be permitted to hold events at GREEN level when there are less than 100 people present. They will not able to hold events at all in Orange or Red Levels. https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/covid-19-protection/.
Fencing NZ is therefore in the process of conducting a Risk Analysis to determine whether to adopt a Vaccine Certificate Requirement which will allow events to continue at all levels, with numbers only restricted at RED level.
At first glance it appears difficult to run any large-scale National Events unless we do so.
While vaccination is a matter for individual choice, please be aware that it is likely that Fencing NZ will be required to implement a “No Jab – no Stab” policy at all future National events, simply to ensure they are able to be held.
The first event where these rules could potentially take effect is the Training Camp on the 20th of January in Auckland. The following event is then two weeks later in Wellington.
Given the lead time to be fully vaccinated is between five and to eight weeks from the first vaccination, it is apparent that all attendees wishing to attend the first event should plan on a first vaccination before the end of November 2021.
NB - the selection policy for NZ for the CWFC2022 states that fencers on the long list for Commonwealth Selection are expected to attend the two National Training Camps and the Trial Event at Easter Weekend.”