Getting Outside During COVID-19


The government has been clear that, during this period of heightened alert, the most important thing we can all do and the biggest responsibility we each have is to stay home and limit social interaction to only those people we live with.

It has also been acknowledged that staying active and getting outside is essential for both our physical and mental health.

In light of this, we want to help you think carefully and creatively about how you can best take advantage of your local environment and still cooperate completely with the requirements of our current situation.

For complete, official details on our alert level and what it means for you, please consult the Current COVID-19 Alert Level page of the dedicated government response site, Unite Against COVID-19.

At Kelmarna Gardens, your health, safety and well-being is always our top priority. We have drawn directly from the above resources to help give you an idea of how to safeguard yourself and your community when venturing outside.

​Please visit the links above for more detailed, official information if you have any questions, concerns or doubts at all about how to adhere fully with the standards that we must all uphold during this critical time.

​Thank you for doing your part!
​Checklist: 8 Things to Consider to Stay Safe & Responsible
1) How do you feel?

If you ever feel unwell in any way, do NOT go outside. It is important for you to do your best to get well and to avoid endangering the health of others.

Remember that even if you can't go outside, there are always other ways for you to keep busy and explore the world around you!

Only consider taking a walk outside if you are totally sure that you feel one hundred percent.
2) Stick with your 'bubble'

Part of our job is to limit our contact to only those people you live with.

Consider these people your 'bubble' that you don't want to 'burst' by coming into contact with anyone other than them.

Also remember that everyone else is doing their best to stay inside their bubbles too. So you can help by making sure that you act responsibly when you go outside.
3) 2-metre distance

If you leave your home, remember to keep at least a two-metre distance from other people at all times.

This is the minimum distance to help avoid catching germs from others or spreading your germs to others.
4) Keep it local

Stay local when you leave your house. This means sticking to your neighbourhood within reasonable walking distance of your home.

Whether it's around your block or even just your yard, please keep your explorations as close to home as possible to limit the risk to your bubble.

Think of this as an opportunity to get to know your special local area really well. You may be surprised how much there is to explore and discover right there in front of you!

Look forward to it! By keeping a close eye on the same local spots, over time you will start to see some amazing changes as things grow, interact and the seasons turn.
5) Places to avoid

Health officials have advised us to stay away from usual places where people congregate, or gather together. It is also risky to touch surfaces in public that lots of other people may have touched as well.

This means do NOT go to playgrounds or touch any playground or other park equipment.

Instead, try to shift your focus to natural spaces. Again, you may be surprised by how much bustling activity is going on in even small patches of nature growing in and around our urban landscape!
6) When you get back home

When you return home from being in public, remember to always wash your hands thoroughly.

It may also be a good idea to change your clothes or even take a shower, depending on what you did on your walk.

Remember that we are always trying to keep our bubbles as clean and separate as we can.

Here is the government's guide to washing your hands.
7) Not sure? Act like you have COVID-19

One of the most helpful pieces of advice that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has given to help us understand how we should act during this time is: act like you have COVID-19.

Imagine how you would act if you knew that your actions will significantly impact the well-being of others.

How would this change your behaviour?

How would this inform your decisions?

This thought-experiment should help you make safe choices during this crucial time.

But what if I feel perfectly okay?

Even when you feel one hundred percent and decide to go for an adventure outside, please remember your responsibility to act in a way that will stop the spread of COVID-19.

​Pretending that you might have the virus is just one way to help you be mindful of your actions when making decisions at home and in public.
8) Be kind and stay positive!

All of these rules and precautions can be a lot to remember, and it can be discouraging to have to separate from seeing your friends, doing your usual routine or going to some of your favourite places.

It's perfectly normal to feel anxious or bummed at times because we're worried about our health and these rules are strict in a lot of ways that are new and challenging for all of us.

But even though we may be physically separated, we are all in this together!

So it is just as important as ever to have patience, show kindness, and think positively about how we can work together to handle our situation.

There are some great ways to keep in touch with friends, neighbours and whānau and still follow the rules. With permission from your parents, you can talk over the phone, send text messages and even visit 'face-to-face' with video calling over the internet!

​Can you think of any other ways to check in on each other, share your experiences and support one another?
For complete, official details on our alert level and what it means for you, please consult the Current COVID-19 Alert Level page of the dedicated government response site, Unite Against COVID-19.