Introduction of the Government’s ‘traffic light’ COVID-19 protection system tomorrow (3 December) will see vaccine passes required for anyone aged 12 years and over at Wairarapa swimming pools and all libraries except Masterton District Library.
All attendees at council, community board, and committee meetings will also require vaccine passes.
Children under 12 attending swimming pools will be required to be accompanied by an adult with a Vaccine Pass. Children aged 12 years and older will need to show a Vaccine Pass upon entry.
The Carterton Events Centre and its foyer, information desk, meeting rooms, Rangatahi Hub (Scout hall), adjoining library, and Community Courthouse will all also be Vaccine Pass areas.
Access to the Waihinga Centre in Martinborough for any meetings, events, use of any facility including the information centre, library or café will require a valid Vaccine Pass.
Both printed Vaccine Passes, and digital versions saved to phones will be accepted, but not purple vaccination cards.
To ensure councils are following the Government’s requirements, passes will be checked each time people enter any of the three councils’ vaccine pass areas.
Passes will not be required to access the public areas of council offices, but mask use and social distancing rules continue to apply.
Masterton District Council Chief Executive David Hopman said as a standalone library, with no movement of staff, Masterton Library would not require vaccine passes. Library users must continue to wear masks and observe social distance protocols.
Because of the link between Carterton and Martinborough libraries and other council events facilities, and therefore potentially greater numbers of people, passes are required to access these spaces.
Staff also move between Martinborough and libraries in Greytown and Featherston, making passes a requirement in these libraries.
Vaccine passes are not required at transfer stations, parks, cemeteries or recreation trails, but requirements for mask use and social distancing remain in place.
These guidelines will be reviewed to reflect any changes to the Government’s COVID-19 Protection Framework.
ENDS