Today’s Alert Level announcement - Rotorua remains in Alert Level 4
23 August 2021
Today’s Alert Level announcement - Rotorua remains in Alert Level 4
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement this afternoon, all of New Zealand will remain in Alert Level 4 until at least 11:59pm on Friday 27 August, with Auckland remaining in Alert Level 4 until at least 11:59pm on Tuesday 31 August.
On Friday, Cabinet will review the situation again and make an announcement about Alert Level settings for most of New Zealand, excluding Auckland. They will review Auckland’s settings again on Monday.
The decision to remain in Alert Level 4 allows additional time for data to be collected to gain a better understanding of the current outbreak. You can watch today’s announcement HERE.
Information about Council services during Alert Level 4 is provided below and further information is available on our website at bit.ly/RLCAL42021.
(Please note this information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Updates will be made on our website and social media channels.)
If you need to contact Council you can reach our Customer Centre on (07) 348 4199 or info@rotorualc.nz.
For the most up to date COVID-19 information, please visit www.COVID19.govt.nz.
If you need help with financial assistance or social service support (such as food grants), please visit www.msd.govt.nz or ring the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) on 0800 559 009. This number is for everyone who may need assistance.
It is normal to feel anxious or stressed in times of difficulty. There are useful tips on how you and your whānau can look after each other’s hauora at https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/
While we are in Alert Level 4, all Council buildings will remain closed to the public including the Civic Centre, Rotorua Library, Rotorua i-Site, Rotorua Pound, Rotorua Energy Events Centre, Rotorua International Stadium and Rotorua Aquatic Centre.
Essential services continue to operate. These include water services (wastewater, stormwater and water supply), transport and roading, rubbish and recycling collection, and Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Our Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre has been stood up and is working with key partners including iwi, Lakes District Health Board, the Ministry of Social Development, and Police to determine what level of support is needed in the community.
RLC staff not related to essential services continue to work from home.
Council services in Alert Level 4
Rubbish & recycling - Kerbside rubbish and recycling continues as usual. Please continue to put your bins out on your regular collection day. We are working with recycling operators to recycle as much as possible. Due to the swift move to Alert Level 4, many rubbish and recycling operators are still making adjustments to how they’re operating. This may impact our ability to recycle in the coming days. We’ll keep you posted as the situation evolves.
Do it online – Council buildings are currently closed but many of our services are available online. Learn more at www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-services/do-it-online
Building inspections - We are unable to rebook or book in inspections at this stage. We will start taking bookings again in Alert Level 2.
Rates - If you have been unable to pay your rates please phone our Customer Centre on (07) 348 4199 to discuss this as soon as you can. Information on how to pay your rates is available HERE.
Rates Rebates – Appointments about rates rebates will be rebooked once we move down Alert Levels. Our Customer Advisors will phone you to rebook appointments that have been missed.
Public Toilets - All public toilets are closed, except for the ones at the iSite building which will remain open for use by bus drivers and passengers.
Parking - There is no requirement to pay for parking at this stage. Timeframes listed on any existing Infringement Notices (ie, to pay, dispute) remain as is.
Events - For up-to-date information about events and activities visit www.rotoruanui.nz
Accessing the forest and reserves for exercise: If you want to access the forest for exercise, please do so by foot or bike – do not drive to the forest, do not meet up with others – stay in your bubble, stick to areas where you are able to easily stay 2m from anyone you may come across, be mindful of other users in public spaces, ride and exercise safely and within your ability, tell someone where you are going and take your mobile phone. Do not put yourself in a situation where you could be injured and require emergency help.
Remember the golden rules for Alert Level 4 are:
- Stay at home in your bubble
- Feeling unwell? Call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 about getting tested.
- Wear a mask and keep a 2m distance from others.
- Keep scanning QR codes.
- Wash and sanitise hands often.
- Stay local and be kind to each other.