The 122nd Annual Maniototo A&P Show, which was scheduled for Wednesday, has been cancelled due to the nation being placed into COVID-19 Alert Level 2. 

As of the news of the impending Alert Level 2 on Sunday night, the show’s committee called an emergency meeting 8am Monday morning. 

The committee decided against going ahead with the show, as the Government’s Alert Level 2 announcement was for three days, ending Wednesday at midnight. 

Under Alert Level 2, gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited. 

Janine Smith then posted to social media to alert members. 

“Sadly our 122nd show is cancelled due to Level 2 restrictions,” Janine posted. “All entrants, sponsors & trade exhibitors standby for email correspondence. Please be patient.”

The move to Alert Level 2 was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Sunday after three members of a family living in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe tested positive for COVID-19.

Jacinda said the alert change came out of an abundance of caution and would be in place for three days, to be reviewed every 24 hours.

"Three days should give us enough time to gather further information, undertake large scale testing and establish if there has been wider community transmission," she said.

"I think it is an example of how tricky COVID-19 has always been."

Jacinda said this COVID threat was a "good, timely reminder too, to everyone, please turn on the Bluetooth function and keep scanning".

What level 2 means

Level 2 for the rest of the country means businesses and schools remain open, but with social distancing.

Unfortunately for Central Otago, the Maniototo A&P Show has already been forced to cancel. 

All entrants, sponsors and trade exhibitors have been informed to wait for email correspondence from the show organisers. 

Under Level 2, people are encouraged to practice good hygiene, keep track of where they have been and stay home if they are unwell.

People are asked to maintain a distance of 2m from others in public spaces and in retail stores.

In other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms, people must stay 1m apart.

Hospitality businesses must keep groups of customers separated, seated, and served by a single person with a maximum of 100 people at a time.

Masks are mandatory on public transport and encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.

Gatherings, including weddings and funerals, are limited to 100 people.

A border will be put in place in Auckland. Those who need to travel through the border can apply for an exemption.

For more information on Alert Levels, click here.

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