Sky Stadium’s Shane Harmon says next six months will be ‘some of the hardest for the industry since the pandemic broke’

Shane Harmon, Chief Executive of Wellington’s Sky Stadium, has been quoted as saying “the next six months are probably going to be some hardest for the (event and venue) industry since the pandemic broke.”

Speaking on Saturday, in advance of the New Zealand Government’s introduction ‘red traffic light’ restrictions, Harmon told Wellington newspaper the Dominion Post that given what he had seen from how the Omicron variant was impacting events and venues overseas, the red alert announcement had not come as much of a surprise, noting “we can only really roll with it and adapt. It hasn’t happened yet, so we’re proceeding as normal.”

Harmon (pictured) said the red setting still provided some flexibility over level two including the possibility of separating attendees into sections of 100 people or fewer in the Stadium, adding “that could work for sports but large scale exhibitions and concerts most likely wouldn’t occur.

“Under the current traffic light system at least teams would be able to proceed with their broadcast obligations but crowds are going to be very small and, of course, no one’s going to be making any money.”

For spectator sport, the restrictions will impact Super Rugby trial games in the coming weeks and also flow over to affect the Super Rugby Pacific competition, which is due to start on 18th February with a clash between Moana Pasifika and the Blues at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

Advice issued today from the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki tells visitors that they can still enjoy the attraction and can still “have a safe and enjoyable experience when visiting the Gallery”, although daily tours are suspended and its Creative Learning Centre and cloakroom are closed.

The advice notes “at the Red setting, all visitors to the Gallery must comply with conditions of entry that require you to sign in, wear a face covering and show a valid My Vaccine Pass. Physical distancing and hygiene measures will be in place.

“If you are feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, are subject to isolation requirements or have visited a location of interest, please do not enter the Gallery.”