Covid-19 has thrown a spanner in the works of all of our lives and often many of us find it hard to fit in exercise while in Alert Level lockdown. 

Central Otago is blessed with an abundance of trails and many of us have the luxury of being able to simply step out our door and be within walking distance to a trail. 

Health officials have urged Kiwis to keep up daily exercise during the nationwide lockdown, but there has been some confusion on what exactly is allowed.

The entire country will be in level 4 until at least 11.59pm Friday August 27.

Tourism Central Otago general manager Dylan Rushbrook says now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy this stunning place we all call home and learn why so many people come here as visitors every year. 

“The trails are open, though please be aware some sections of trails are closed as they are remote and hard to access if you have an accident - please check the respective trail Facebook pages for up to date information before heading out. 

“It is really important to keep your activity within your limits and close to home so you don't risk the health of emergency services because you went a bit too hard and had an accident.”

For Dylan and his young family, enjoying the trails around his home is the highlight of his day. 

“For my family our activity has been close to home, but still plenty of fun,” Dylan says. “With two active boys at home (Beau is two years old and Cooper is four), Natalie my poor wife has been getting plenty exercise keeping up with them and distracting them so they don't come and join in on my Zoom meetings - though not always successfully I must admit. 

“So far the weather has been kind to us, and so we've been getting out on our bikes, or for big walks in the pram using the greenways and trails. 

“What we know is just getting some fresh air and change of scenery has been great for all of us, and it is quickly turning into quite a fun family outing we all look forward to in the late afternoons. 

“We're clearly not the only ones as we've seen lots of others out and about and everyone is saying hi (from a safe distance), it's been great to see that community spirit once again.

“Also on Friday we put the tent up in the backyard so the boys have been 'responsible camping' over the weekend. They have it setup with matresses and bean bags, it's pretty cool.

“Most important I've found is making sure I allocate time in my diary to get away from my desk and enjoy what we have. Hopefully it isn't too much longer before we can invite visitors back, but for now I'm enjoying sharing it with the wonderful people of Central Otago.”

Our top spots:

Cromwell

Cromwell is blessed with Lake Dunstan right at the doorstep of the town. We simply recommend heading out your door on foot, down the street, and take a stroll along the lake. For the more adventurous, we recommend walking out of town and towards Bannockburn, for a sit by the Kawarau River. 

Clyde/Alexandra 

Like Cromwell, Alexandra is blessed to have water at the town’s doorstep - this time the Manuherekia and Clutha/Mata-Au. Simply slip your shoes on, step out your door and make the walk to the closest trailhead. Personal favourites include the Roxburgh Gorge trail or the Clyde to Alexandra river trail. There’s also the Otago Central Rail Trail, which is a great gradient for everybody. 

Roxburgh 

Roxburgh is another town which can take full advantage of the Clutha/Mata-Au, while there are other walks on offer around town also. The Clutha Gold Trail and Roxburgh Gorge Trail are both within a stone’s throw, while any number or tracks break off the streets around town. 

Omakau/Ophir

Great little towns with great little walks (or not-so-little), Omakau and Ophir are both within walking distance of the Otago Central Rail Trail, as well as the Manuherekia. Again it is simply the matter of getting outside with your shoes on and hitting a trail, or walking the loop between the two towns on opposite sides of the Manuherekia. 

Ranfurly

Another town with the Otago Central Rail Trail running right through it, many people would be extremely jealous of the proximity of such as luxury. For the intrepid walker or runner, jump on the trail and see how far you could get within an allotted time period. Walking in the direction of Middlemarch offers some hidden gems.   

Outdoor exercise

• Outdoor activities are limited under level 4. 
• You must stay in your bubble, maintain physical distancing, and keep walks short, local, and for essential exercise only.
• Stick to simple outdoor exercise, and avoid activities where you can get injured or lost. For example, do not go swimming, surfing, boating, hunting or tramping. It is important emergency services remain available to support the response to Covid-19. 
• Organised sports, contact activities and sharing sporting equipment with people outside your bubble is prohibited. 
• Playgrounds are closed and so are all indoor venues and sporting facilities, including clubrooms and gyms.

The Mountain Council has compiled a website where you can check which few activities you can still do in your region.

Face coverings

• It is not mandatory to wear a face covering when exercising, but it is encouraged. Hipkins said a mask should be worn when it was practical to do so or when others are nearby.
• You can’t meet people who are not in your bubble to exercise and you should avoid touching and using high touch areas like park benches or gates.
• It is also recommended you tell someone in your bubble where you are going and how long you plan to be gone. 
• Take a mobile phone with you so you can be contacted or contact others if you need to.

All of these rules apply regardless if you have been vaccinated.

Breaches and enforcement

A police spokesperson said police recommend exercise should be in your neighbourhood only.

Police had a low tolerance of unlawful gatherings, she said, so expect police to enforce the restrictions. 

“We have all seen what happens overseas when people ignore the rules, and it’s imperative that everyone stays home. Everyone knows what is expected of them, and it will take a collective effort to stop Covid-19 in its tracks.” 

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins explained people were allowed to travel in a vehicle to get to a suitable place to exercise, but should not be travelling “miles”.

“If you’re living on a hill, for example, and you have children and you need to take them somewhere flat, then you can use your car for that.

“But we don’t want people travelling across town ... so it should be to the nearest place you can go.”

He said the same applied for those living in high-density areas as well as the elderly, people who might find it tough to exercise and follow safe physical distancing practices.

If it was too difficult to follow safe physical distancing then people should consider whether it was really necessary to exercise at that time, Hipkins said.

He said, so far, compliance with these rules had been “good”.