Back To Activity & Sport After COVID-19

Returning to activity and sports after COVID-19

For children and young people who've had mild COVID-19 (or no symptoms)

If your child has already gone back to physical activity on their own, and has no symptoms, that's fine. They can continue as usual. 

Your child has had mild COVID if they had:

• less than 4 days of a fever
• less than 1 week of muscle aches, chills and significant tiredness (lethargy)

They can return to activity and sport:

• when they've completed isolation
• when their symptoms are gone
• when they can do normal daily activities - like showering, getting dressed, walking around the house

How quickly should they return to active play and sport?

• if your child is under 12 years, they can do any activities and sport they feel like doing - be guided by them
• if your child is older than 12 years, consider a gradual return to physical activity and sport (see below for information on  gradual return to physical activity and sport)

For children and young people who've had moderate COVID-19

If your child has already gone back to physical activity on their own, and has no symptoms, that's fine. They can continue as usual. 

Your child has had moderate COVID if they had:

• 4 days or more of a fever
• 1 week or more of muscle aches, chills and significant tiredness (lethargy)
• a hospital stay because of COVID-19

They can return to activity and sport:

• when they've completed isolation
• when it's 10 days after their last symptoms
• when they can do normal daily activities - like showering, getting dressed, walking around the house
• when they've checked in with their family doctor

How quickly should they return to active play and sport?

• consider a gradual return to physical activity and sport (see below for information on  gradual return to physical activity and sport)

For children and young people who've had severe COVID

Your child has had severe COVID if they:

• needed intensive care treatment or
• were diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)

COVID-19 - Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children (MIS-C)

When should they return to activity and sport?

The paediatricians or specialists caring for your child in hospital should give clear instructions about when your child can return to physical activity and sport. Your child may need a specialist outpatient appointment to check they are well enough to return to activity and sport. 

Guide for a gradual return to physical activity and sport

The following is a guide for tamariki and rangatahi who:

• have had a mild illness and are over 12
• have had moderate illness
• can do normal daily activities - like showering, getting dressed, walking around the house
• have gone back to school

A return to physical activity will be different for different tamariki. It's best if it happens over at least a 7 day period. It may take longer for some tamariki. Talk to your family doctor for more guidance. If you have a team coach, they may also be able to give you some guidance.

Before moving up a stage, make sure your child:

• is comfortable with the level of activity at the current stage
• has no symptoms 

When children and young people should pause a return to activity and sport

If your child gets any of the following during exercise, stop the exercise immediately and seek medical help:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• feeling an unusually fast heart beat
• fainting during exercise

If your child is struggling with a return to activity and sport, it's important to seek specific advice about the best way for your child to do this. This might be through your doctor, a physio or the coach.

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Healthline

Healthline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 611 116. Call Healthline if you need advice about a child of any age who is unwell, hurt, or has any symptoms of sickness. It's free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone.

Call Healthline 0800 611 116

COVID-19