29 December 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rotorua moving to orange COVID-19 setting on December 30
Enquiry
I'm writing a preview story for when the region moves to orange on December 30.
What does this change mean for council facilities?
Any comment from the mayor about what this move means for Rotorua would also be greatly appreciated.
Response
See below information re council facilities under orange settings. All of this is obviously subject to change if the situation changes.
We’ve provided the link to info re RLC facilities under orange which is already on our website and added some info re the markets + key things to remember (would be great if you could use these as a reminder for people).
Information:
The Orange settings are very similar to Red settings for Council facilities. Information about Council facilities and services in the Orange traffic light setting is available on our website here: https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-city/coronavirus/covid-19-orange-traffic-light-information
Over the summer holidays, the Night Market and the Farmers Market will continue to operate.
The Night Market will still be held at the Village Green ( Thursdays, 5pm - 9pm) during the Orange setting. This allows the market zones to be fenced in order to manage numbers and also to allow checking of My Vaccine Passes.
The Farmers Market will continue at Te Manawa (intersection of Hinemoa and Tutanekai Streets) every Sunday from 9am-1pm. Vaccine passes are not required at the Farmers Market, but visitors must wear a mask, scan in and keep a one metre distance from others.
Under orange the library can accommodate up to 300 people in the facility based on one metre distancing, and people will need to show a vaccine pass to enter. A Click and Collect service is also available for library members. People can register for this service by phoning the library on (07) 348 4177 or by emailing library@rotorualc.nz
Three key things to remember at every colour setting wherever you go - Mask, Scan, Pass:
• Take your face covering when you leave the house and be ready to wear it;
• Scan in wherever you go;
• Download your Vaccine Pass and have it ready, so you can go to all your favourite places.
Comment provided by Mayor Steve Chadwick:
It’s pleasing to hear there is optimism within the business sector for this summer, even after a very tough few months. We need visitors and we also need residents to keep supporting local businesses. The fewer restrictions on how businesses can operate, especially at this critical time of year for many operators, the better, so moving from red to orange will certainly be welcomed.