Covid 19 coronavirus: Hawke's Bay sport on hold under level 2 restrictions

Sports clubs and organisations across Hawke's Bay have begun limiting events and competitions. Photo / File

New hygiene measures including a one ball a game system have been implemented as sports clubs across Hawke's Bay begin limiting events and competitions amid a second wave of Covid-19.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern moved New Zealand to alert level 2 on Wednesday and Auckland to alert level 3 after four cases of community transmission were discovered on Tuesday.

While work and school are allowed to continue with physical distancing, gatherings of more than 100 people are now prohibited.

As a result, the final round of the ANZ Premiership regular season was cancelled, and Hawke's Bay Netball followed suit, cancelling all junior netball in Napier, Hastings and Wairoa on Wednesday and Thursday.

Netball New Zealand confirmed all remaining round 10 games would be drawn.

Chief executive Jennie Wyllie said their immediate thoughts were for the safety of all those involved in the Premiership.

"We have been fortunate to play as many weeks of netball, in front of live crowds, for as long as we have," she said.

"But now is the time for us to play our part in keeping the country safe and we will be reviewing future decisions over the coming days."

Basketball Hawke's Bay general manager Nick Hogan says a one ball per match system is one of many new protocols introduced. Photo / File

Basketball Hawke's Bay suspended miniball for Years 1 to 8 across Hawke's Bay. Restrictions on numbers, arrival times and contact tracing will be implemented in the Elite league and secondary school levels.

Basketball Hawke's Bay general manager Nick Hogan said while training and matches would continue for some, a one ball per match system was one of many new protocols introduced.

Spectators will no longer be able to attend matches; only players, limited coaching staff and referees can be present.

Games will be spaced out, with no team cross overs, and the ball will be sanitised thoroughly between matches.

"We have worked quickly and in conjunction with our venue partners and Sport Hawke's Bay to make playing basketball a possibility," he said.

"There's some talk around masks, but I don't think that is practical in sport."

Sport Hawke's Bay chief executive Mark Aspden said large outdoor field sports like football, rugby and hockey were able to continue, while sports like netball and basketball would be "trickier to manage".

HB Rugby Union chief executive Jay Campbell has hopes senior club rugby will continue this weekend, but only if guidelines are met. Photo / File

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union chief executive Jay Campbell said the organisation still hoped senior club rugby would be played this weekend, despite the cancellation of all junior matches.

"The biggest obstacle being the ability to limit people to 100," he said.

"Secondary school rugby is planned to proceed, but only at schools and venues that have the ability to adhere to bubble, social contacting and hygiene requirements.

"As always, the health and safety of all our participants, officials and spectators are paramount and unless their safety can be achieved then rugby will not proceed as planned," he said.

Central Football Hawke's Bay cancelled all junior club competitions for this weekend and reminded those participating in training to limit numbers to 100, begin contract tracing and sanitise hands and equipment.

Havelock North Primary and Taradale Intermediate schools cancelled a range of sporting events due to take place this week, including netball, basketball and hockey.