3 December 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Day one in red under COVID Protection Framework
Enquiry
We’ll be hoping to get some comment from Steve later today about how things have been going on the first day of Red. A bit early to get something now but will come back for a comment later today, with a deadline of 3pm.
- What has the general mood and vibe been of the town today?
- Do you think Rotorua businesses will cope with Government restrictions and mandates?
- Any other comments about Red are welcome.
Response
From Mayor Chadwick:
These are really challenging times. It’s especially sad to see events that our community loves having to be cancelled or postponed and hard having to apply restrictions in public facilities and businesses.
But we are very much open for business and I’m sure everyone is doing the best they can to manage their businesses and operations within the guidelines that are in place to protect people – and the economy.
We want to be moving out of red as soon as possible so we need to keep working on getting our vaccination rates up. They are creeping up, with 89% of people in the Lakes DHB district now having had their first dose, but we need to keep pushing.
From DCE Chief Executive’s Group Craig Tiriana:
People have generally been accepting of our requirement for a My Vaccine Pass to enter facilities like our Customer Centre, Library and the Aquatic Centre and we thank them for their co-operation and understanding.
Generally speaking people know what to do and are responding positively.
For those without passes, where possible we are offering alternative ways to access services and transactions which we are encouraging people to take up. This includes, for example click and collect, eLibrary and online events and activities offered by the library, and online and digital options for customer services provided through the Civic Centre.