Blog

COVID-19 Information

• The festival is Fully Operational in RED.
• Vaccine passes are required.
• Please register for all walks.

Regarding the removal of the Vaccine Pass Mandate by the NZ Government on 4th April 2022, The ECHO Walking Festival organising committee has given the matter careful consideration and has decided to continue our requirement for Vaccine Passes on our walks this year. The reasons are as follows:

• We are aware of a number of at-risk walkers who have already registered for walks based on the original criteria.
• Some of our guides are in the at-risk category.
• While we understand our walks are in the outside environment, we are required to stay close together and often on narrow tracks. It is impossible to social distance in these settings and mask-wearing is not practical due to the exertion required on walks.

We know this will be disappointing to many and we ask for your continued understanding as we look forward to a time where everyone can come along and enjoy our walks.