Vaccine passes are now required to enter Western Bay libraries, service centres and swimming pools after the country moved to the red setting of the Covid-19 Protection Framework.

Council CEO John Holyoake says with the risk of Omicron in the community, it is vital to limit the spread of the virus.

'We will require vaccine passes from people aged 12 years and over before entry at all council facilities,” says John. 'We appreciate this is a shift from our previous system of not requiring vaccine passes, but we believe this is the safest option.

'We are constantly reviewing our processes to ensure we make careful decisions that have minimal impact on council's services and operations, and balance continuity of these services with the safety of our people and the public.”

Facilities requiring vaccine passes at red will be council library and service centres at Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa, Barkes Corner and Te Puke; at the swimming pools: Dave Hume, Katikati and Te Puke Memorial Pool, and at the TECT Park arrival centre.

Council previously did not require the use of My Vaccine Pass as a condition of entry at the above facilities for people aged 12 and over.

At all council facilities the appropriate health, hygiene and safety measures remain in place including QR scanning upon entry, using the Covid-19 tracer app, wearing a face mask and ensuring physical distancing of one metre. If you have cold and flu symptoms, isolate immediately and call Healthline for advice about a test.

Alongside this decision, anyone wishing to attend or speak in a public forum at a council or community board meeting must present their vaccine pass. This takes effect from the first meeting of 2022 – the Katikati Community Board on February 2.

Zoom options are available for members of the public who wish to speak in a public forum or attend remotely, and meetings will continue to be live-streamed.

'We're continuing to look for innovative ways to provide our district with access to our services in a safe way,” says John. 'Where we can, we will adapt the way we do things.

'We thank the community for their patience and for working with us as we all navigate Covid-19 together.”

For more information visit: westernbay.govt.nz/covid-19