Waitomo District Council’s elected members have resolved to implement a mandate requiring those wishing to enter a council-managed facility to provide a valid Covid-19 Vaccination Pass under the new Covid Protection Framework (CPF).

The policy will take effect from 8am on Monday 17 January 2022.

For anyone aged 12 years three months and older, their My Vaccine Pass will need to be sighted for entry to:

• Waitomo District Library
• Waitomo District Council Admin Building and Council Chambers
• Te Kuiti i-Site
• Council Controlled Halls (and community managed Council halls where required in accordance with the CPF)
• Waitomo District Aquatic Centre

Mayor John Robertson said while the decision was not an easy one to make, it was based on government guidance as well as considering the health and safety of both council frontline staff and those vulnerable members of our community across the district.

“COVID-19 is a serious matter. You only need to look at the rising case numbers in our district to know how easy it is to transmit,” he said.

“We recognise the virus has many unknowns, but vaccination plays a critical part in reducing the spread and lessening the impact. These decisions are never taken lightly but we have to do what is right for those in our community who need protecting as well as protecting staff under the Health and Safety at Work Act.”

Thorough risk assessments across Council services were undertaken and showed all services present a risk of COVID-19 transmission. It also highlighted the need to protect Council workers to keep services running.

“It is a controversial matter and there are a range of views in the community, but these are extraordinary and tough times and we have an obligation to keep our staff safe, and to keep members of the public safe,” said John.

The policy will be reviewed no later than March 2022; or if legislative changes to the CPF are advised by Central Government; traffic light settings are changed; or if revised guidance by various sectors are issued.

Waitomo District currently sits in the orange setting of the CPF.

Download My Vaccine Pass from www.mycovidrecord.co.nz and for more information, check out www.covid19.govt.nz

-ENDS-