Council working under red setting for Covid

Horowhenua District Council using Govt guidance

New Zealand moved to red in the Covid19 Protection Framework as of 11.59pm Sunday, January 23. The framework is a flexible threelevel approach aimed at managing Covid-19 in the community.

“We are working through the guidance from central government with our staff and community’s interests and safety central to our decision making,” says Horowhenua District Council’s acting chief executive, David McCorkindale.

“The new framework does have implications for council’s public-facing or close contact environments, in particular our community facilities.

“Council has not yet decided if it will use vaccination passes in our community facilities or not. However, as we monitor the situation we may change how we operate council’s services and facilities in the future.

“Our cafes in Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po¯ and Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom will operate as contactless only for those without a vaccine pass. Dinein service will be available to those with a vaccine pass.”

What will change under red?

Events for more tham 100 people are not permitted without a vaccine pass and gatherings are restricted under red settings.

From 11.59pm, February 3 face masks must be worn at events and gatherings and they can only be taken off to eat, drink or exercise.

“Council services on the whole won’t change, however we will take precautions to keep our staff and community safe so we can keep delivering these services.

“We’ve shown our resolve through previous lockdowns and restrictions.

“The Covid-19 Protection Framework enables the majority of us a bit more normality than the alert level system, and more certainty for local businesses.

“I have every faith that as a community we will continue to be kind, and look out for one another as we have done before,” says Mr McCorkindale.

To help ensure business continuity, some council staff will be working remotely under this setting and approprivate arrangements will need to be made for any in-person meetings.

Should the Government announce any changes to the status, council will publish updated information as soon as possible on its dedicated Covid-19 page.