Vaccine pass now needed for council facilities
Pools and AA services affected by rules
As of February 21, the Horowhenua District Council changed Covid-related access requirements for all council facilities. A valid My Vaccine Pass is now needed for anyone 12 years, 3 months and older to enter the council’s main office in Levin; the libraries/community centres in Levin, Foxton and Shannon; and the swimming pools in Levin and Foxton.
A question has been raised by Horizons regional councillor Sam Ferguson about how non-vaccinated people in the Horowhenua can renew their driver’s licence or sit their learner’s licence if they can’t access the AA agency in Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po.
AA Centres do not require the vaccination passport, but as the nearest ones are in Palmerston North or Paraparaumu, neither are convenient for Horowhenua people.
Horowhenua District councillor Sam Jennings had suggested the council look at hiring one of the empty shops on Oxford St to allow access to council services (including AA) for unvaccinated people.
“It’s important [the council] comes up with a way this essential service can continue to be available to people that need it,” he said.
Brent Harvey, HDC’s general manager of communities and partnerships, said the council has organised a weekly shuttle to the AA Centre in Palmerston North.
“This is to enable those that need to access certain AA services which can’t be completed online, or are unable to provide a valid My Vaccine Pass,” said Harvey.
The weekly shuttle service began Wednesday, March 2, departing from Te Takeretanga o kura-hau-po¯ at 10am, returning at 1pm. Bookings for this service can be made by texting 027 213 2762.
Jennings also suggested vaccination pass free periods at the pools so children over the age of 12 years and 3 months and any adults can have swimming lessons.
With this summer being the worst for drownings in six years (39 deaths between December 1 and January 31), is denying some of our community access to life-saving water skills a good idea?
The council unvaccinated people wanting to continue their learning and water safety skills can access a range of resources from the Water Safety NZ website — https:/ /waterskills.org.nz/
Jennings has heard from many people who say they are planning to ask for a refund on their rates because they can’t access such facilities as Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po and the pools.