COVID19

Last updated: 07 Sep, 2021 06:24pm

COVID LEVEL 3 HEADER

This page has been set up to give you the latest council and community updates and any affected services as a result of COVID-19

WAIRARAPA MOVES TO ALERT LEVEL 2 FROM 11:59PM TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

 
For the full list of Alert Level 2 guidelines, click here
Which Council services are currently operating?

7 September 2021

Main council office and Building department
Our office will be open between 9am and 4pm. We will require you to wear a mask and keep a 2 metre distance. We will also require you to scan in or manually sign in via a paper slip and ballot box to keep your details safe. Because of Alert Level 2 distancing requirements, we will have to limit the number of people inside the building, so please be prepared to wait outside.
 
Any outstanding rates accounts from 20 August still have A grace period for rates penalties. This has been extended for five business days from Wednesday 8 September.
 
The building department will be available onsite but please phone through any enquiries where possible and be prepared to wait if making an enquiry in person. Inspections will resume as normal.
 
Transfer Station
The Dalefield Transfer Station will be open as usual to receive general waste, green waste and recycling. However, due to a fire damaging part of the conveyor belt at the processing plant, we still have a reduced processing and storage capacity for non-glass recycling. We will store as much recycling as possible on site until repairs are completed (which could take up to 8 weeks) but please hold on to any recycling if possible.
 
Payments must be cashless. Contact tracing or scanning in is mandatory. Masks must be worn and 2m social distancing rules observed.
Be prepared to queue (staying inside vehicles).
 
Library
The library will reopen on Saturday 11 September, as staff are doing online training as part of a major systems project for our Wairarapa Library Service. This also gives us time to setup the space to keep you safely distanced from one another.
The afterhours slot will be open for book returns from Wednesday and we have extended the return date on items due back during lockdown.
If you are visiting the library you will need to wear a mask.
 
You can still access computers and printing services from Saturday but sadly, we can’t operate as a social space. So, please – come, do, go.
 
Events Centre and Information Centre
The Information Centre will reopen from Wednesday 8 September.
Ticket holders of any events will be contacted directly to advise whether future events are still going ahead, being postponed or being cancelled. Please also check the Events Centre page for updates.
For enquiries about existing or future room bookings, please email events@cartertonec.co.nz
 
 
Parks and Playgrounds

Our parks and playgrounds are open and families can get together for their children to play but please stay 2 metres away from anyone you don’t know.
Wash or sanitise your hands after using shared equipment, and encourage tamariki (children) to do the same.
We encourage you to please wear a mask.
Please note – our bylaws state dogs must be under continuous control of a person at all times. You may need to walk your dog on a leash so you can help keep a safe distance from others.

I can't make my rates payment on Friday 20 August, will I have to pay a penalty?

Your rates are due this Friday 20 August and while you can pay these via internet banking, we are allowing a ‘no penalties grace period’ for those who would normally come into our Council office to pay.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
If you are able to pay via internet banking before this Friday 20 August, please do so. A grace period for rates penalties has been extended to five business days from returning to level 2 on 8 September.

This would give ratepayers who pay over the counter via EFTPOS or cash the opportunity to come into our offices once they are open, to pay their rates.

INTERNET BANKING DETAILS
Bank: Bank of New Zealand
Acct Name: Carterton District Council
Acct Number:  02 0608 0086383 03
If paying by internet banking please include your Rating Valuation Number as Payee Reference.

What are the rules under Alert Level 2?
WHAT ARE THE GOLDEN RULES?
  • At Alert Level 2, there are no restrictions on who can be included in your household bubble.
  • You can go to work, and all businesses and services can open but legally must follow public health rules.
  • Early learning services, schools, kura and tertiary education facilities are open to everyone.
  • Even if you have been vaccinated, you still need to follow the rules to keep everyone safe.

    For full guidelines click here

Wear a face covering

We encourage you to wear a face covering when you cannot maintain physical distance from others.

You legally must wear a face covering if you are aged 12 or over when:

  • on public transport and at departure points — for example, airports, train stations and bus stops
  • on flights
  • in taxis or ride-share vehicles
  • visiting a healthcare facility
  • visiting an aged-care facility
  • inside retail businesses — for example, supermarkets, shopping malls, indoor marketplaces and takeaway food stores
  • visiting the public areas within courts and tribunals, local and central Government agencies, and social service providers with customer service counters.

You legally must wear a face covering if you work:

  • as a driver of a taxi or ride-share vehicle
  • at close contact business — for example, barbers, beauticians or hairdressers
  • in a public-facing role at a hospitality venue — for example, a cafe, restaurant, bar or nightclub
  • at retail businesses, such as supermarkets, shopping malls, indoor marketplaces, takeaway food stores
  • in the public areas of courts and tribunals, local and central Government agencies, and social service providers with customer service counters
  • at indoor public facilities — for example, libraries and museums (but not swimming pools).

Face covering advice and requirements

Keep track of where you have been

From 11:59pm on Tuesday 7 September, many businesses and locations will be required to take steps to ensure people can easily make a record when they visit. 

Use the NZ COVID Tracer app if you can. This helps with rapid contact tracing if it is required.

Keep track of where you have been

Maintain good hygiene

It is important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

How to practise good hygiene and stay healthy

If you are unwell

If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, call:

  • Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453
  • your doctor or nurse, or
  • your iwi health provider.

A health professional will let you know the next steps and if you should get a test.

COVID-19 symptoms

 
Where do I find locations of interest?

Locations of interest can be found here
If you are considered a contact, please get tested.

 

Do I need to wear a mask?

Alert Level 2

You legally must wear a face covering when:

  • using public transport, airplanes (including in arrival and departure points such as train stations and bus stops) and in a taxi or ride-share vehicle
  • visiting a healthcare or aged care facility
  • inside retail businesses, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, shopping malls, indoor marketplaces, takeaway food stores, and public venues, such as museums and libraries
  • visiting the public areas within courts and tribunals, local and central Government agencies, and social service providers with customer service counters.

Who does not need to wear a face covering?

We know that some people who have a disability or health condition may not be able to wear a face covering safely or comfortably. Please be mindful of this. They still have the right to food, pharmacies and other services.

Where possible, you will be encouraged to wear a face covering.

Face coverings do not need to be worn: 

  • by children under 12
  • by students on school buses
  • on ferry services carrying passengers between the North and South islands
  • on a boat or ship that has no enclosed space for passengers, for example jet boat tours
  • on charter or group tours
  • on private flights
  • by drivers, pilots, staff or crew of the service if they are in a space completely separated from passengers, for example pilots in a cockpit or train drivers in a train cab.

You also do not need to wear face coverings if:

  • it is unsafe, for example if wearing one means a driver cannot safely operate the vehicle
  • there is an emergency
  • you have a physical or mental health illness or condition or disability that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable
  • you need to prove your identity
  • you need to communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing
  • you need to take medicine
  • you need to eat or drink, if eating or drinking is usually allowed
  • it is not required by law. 
What should I do if I'm sick?

Health and medical facilities will remain open while we are at Alert Level 2.

You can still get medical help if you need it. This includes healthcare services, such as Healthline, GPs, cancer services, disability and aged support services. However, if you need to see a doctor or other medical professional you MUST phone first.

Please only call Healthline if you or someone you know feels unwell or you need medical advice, rather than general questions about COVID-19. It’s important Healthline is able to answer calls from those who need medical advice. The more people who call asking for general information, the fewer people who need medical advice can get through.

If you cannot get through and are severely unwell, for example having trouble breathing, contact emergency services (call 111).

Where do I find reliable, up to date information about COVID-19?

Your reliable sources of truth can be found at:

Sources of official information are:

Other pages in
Carterton District Council

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