NZ approach to opening up outdoor recreation

The way New Zealand have opened up Outdoor Recreation is really interesting, and could work well in Scotland. https://www.covid19outdoors.nz/ helping to re-start outdoor activities and the economy associated with it; in a way that is safe and sensitive to local challenges.

Why the contribution is important

Outdoor activities reach across multiple sectors including, tourism, sport, leisure, education, employment, the economic benefits of re-opening clearly high priority for many people; but also the health and well being benefits of supporting safe participation in the outdoors that so many of our population benefit from.

by laracooper on May 06, 2020 at 12:16PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.9
Based on: 30 votes

Comments

  • Posted by DevVeh May 06, 2020 at 12:47

    This is similar to what South Africa are doing

  • Posted by makwhyte May 06, 2020 at 12:48

    Yes following the New Zealand model sounds good to include playparks and outside nurseries.

  • Posted by PeterD May 06, 2020 at 13:47

    Yes, and ditto for snow ski resorts - NZ are restricting ski area opening to locals only initially, then nationals, then internationals (latter mostly Australians).

  • Posted by Janni May 06, 2020 at 14:18

    Yes. Outdoor activities providers and many of the people personally active in the outdoors are used to making their own risk assessments and risks from Coronavirus can easily be assessed along with others. Many outdoor activities are done alone or with mebers of your own household anyway, and are often away from crowds.

  • Posted by JohnA May 07, 2020 at 13:18

    Outdoor activities (such as hiking) with only members of your household should not increase the transmission rate greatly. You could trial this by putting a restriction on how far you are allowed to travel to access the outdoor space in the first instance and if it goes ok, widen the travel restriction.

    I think the wellbeing benefits would be great and the transmission downsides small.

    There is a concern of Mountain Rescue and similar services being under more pressure if this is allowed. You could add some rules that would mitigate this, for example (as with everything in this lockdown, these are mostly self-policed anyway):

    - Some guidance that only those with experience should be going outside.
    - Not allowing it on days with a poor weather forecast.
    - Having a time limit on how long you can go outdoors for.
    - Requiring all outdoor activities (hikes etc.) to start before a certain time of day.
    - Limiting access to beauty spots and heavily trafficked trails perhaps by using permits available on a website.

  • Posted by Strathearn May 07, 2020 at 18:17

    I am impressed by the detail included in the NZ model, which is specific to region and activity. All very sensible.

  • Posted by CalumMcKerral May 11, 2020 at 13:43

    Really interesting. This looks like an excellent system.

  • Posted by Cathol May 11, 2020 at 19:09

    NZ guidance is also clear and conscise, quite refreshing.
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