Adults and children without Vaccine Passports are welcome back to Council facilities. Each week, the Councils Executive Leadership Team meet to consider the effectiveness of our safeguards at our facilities, protection of staff and the community, and the need to ensure that people have the choice to go about their daily lives as they wish. A decision has been made to remove the vaccine pass requirement from council venues but please note the vaccine pass requirement for the WRC Gym will remain in place under the government's Covid-19 protection framework. Council will continue to monitor the rise in Omicron cases in the community and the impacts on essential services, but are confident that our safeguards have been well maintained with little or no impact on staff or services to date.
With Omicron numbers continuing to rise in the community, it is likely that Council staff and facilities will be affected. Council will continue to monitor and consider the most effective method of minimising disruption to the community. As we are continuing to review the current arrangements we encourage you to visit our website and facebook page to see the most up to date information.
Council Chief Executive Paul Morris said ‘Our vision is to enable a thriving, connected and resilient Grey District. We appreciate the support and kindness that has been show within our community and their resilience as we have had to apply restrictions in response to Covid. We hope that opening our facilities will allow people to reconnect and enjoy a sense of normality in the community’.
‘We understand that some members of the community will have concerns about exposure to unvaccinated people. We have taken this into account and are of the view that the risks are no greater at Council facilities than other similar locations such as retail spaces.’ says Mr Morris.
Under the government's Covid-19 protection framework, the WRC Gym continues to require a vaccine pass, however effective from 11.59pm Sunday 20 March 2022, the Westland Recreation Centre, Library and Pop-up Museum will no longer require a vaccine pass for entry.
WRC Manager, Nelia Heersink said “I am very excited to welcome our wider community back. It will be great to see everybody enjoying our facility especially with the reopening of the Sauna. Perfect timing with these cooler mornings”
Please refer to our website for further guidance when visiting our facilities.
We will continue to operate under the COVID-19 Protection Framework light setting. Under the red traffic light, we are required to apply; visitor limits, 1 metre social distancing, and use of a mask, unless you hold an exemption card. You can remove masks to eat and drink, and when exercising or swimming.
Please be kind to our staff who are doing their best to maintain our levels of service whilst providing excellence in customer service. Most of our staff will be wearing masks unless they are not required to for safety reasons, or have an exemption.
If you are feeling unwell, get tested and stay home. Let’s work as a team to help slow the spread of this virus.
Find out more about the COVID-19 Protection Framework
Please refer to the sections below for guidance on keeping yourself and others safe whilst visiting our facilities:
All Grey District Council Facilities
We ask that all visitors:
- Wear a facemask if 12 years and over, unless you hold an exemption card
- Sign in either using the QR code or manual process
- Maintain 1-metre social distancing
Grey District Council Offices (Tainui Street, Greymouth)
Numbers are not limited at reception, we ask that visitors maintain 1-metre social distancing.
Westland Recreation Centre
Numbers are limited to 100 people inside the building at one time.
Visitors can remove masks to eat and drink, and when exercising or swimming.
Note: Gym users are required to present a Vaccine Pass for entry
Grey District Library
Numbers are limited to 100 people inside the building at one time.
History House Museum
Due to this building being a smaller space, numbers are limited to 20 people inside the building at one time.
McLeans Landfill and Recycling Centre and Resource Centre
Numbers are not limited, however please maintain your social distancing.
Events
Various rules apply to events, depending on the type of event and location (i.e. indoors or outdoors). Any Council run event will be run according to the rules under the COVID-19 Protection Framework and these will be provided on our website and facebook page prior to the event.
Freedom camping site, playgrounds, dog parks etc
Site numbers are limited based on the size and ability for campers to maintain social distancing.
The Government are continually updating the rules and requirements under the traffic light system and therefore these arrangements are subject to change depending on any new advice or mandates received from the Government.
Contact us if you require further information or assistance by phoning our customer service representatives on 03 769 8600 or by email at info@greydc.govt.nz
