Key sporting events set to take place in Wellington this week will likely be ruined by this afternoon's confirmation the capital will move to Covid-19 Alert Level 2 from 6pm today.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed this afternoon the Wellington region will move to Level 2 this evening after a visit from a Covid-positive Australian tourist.
The level change will also include the Wairarapa and Kāpiti Coast, up to north of Ōtaki, and is in place until at least Sunday.
The change means an increase in restrictions throughout the region, including a limit of 100 people at gatherings such as weddings and funerals.
The sudden gathering restrictions being enforced will have a significant impact on sport in Wellington with tonight's Wellington Sport Awards no longer able to have a crowd.
Nine hundred people were expected at tonight's awards at TSB Arena but organisers confirmed in a statement this afternoon it will instead be held online.
Some major sports events could be affected.
"Instead of the in-person event, we will be bringing to you a special, virtual edition of the Awards this evening," organisers said.
"We are of course disappointed that we could not deliver the spectacular in-person event we had planned, but we’re doing everything we can to still celebrate and acknowledge tonight’s finalists and winners."
Organisers of the annual Wellington Marathon scheduled for this weekend said they have been forced to make a more drastic decision with the event now postponed until Spring.
"We are looking at October 10 or 17 but there is a lot to work through with Stadium, Council, sponsors and volunteers," organisers said.
The biggest sporting event that will be affected will be the Māori All Blacks' first Test of the year against Samoa which is scheduled to take place at Sky Stadium on Saturday.
Both the Wellington Saints and Central Pulse will likely be affected as well with both sides scheduled to host games on Sunday afternoon.
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