OPINION:
I welcome the Government's changes last week to the Covid Protection Framework removing vaccine pass requirements – hopefully these changes will give a boost to the local economy at a time when many businesses are struggling. And hopefully the Government's risk assessment is accurate.
I have for some time been fielding calls and emails from residents wanting council to remove the requirement for vaccine passes into our central library. This is because the central library contains a cafe that cannot be separated due to sharing airflow across the premises.
Recently some people cited Taupo District Council as a body with a more relaxed attitude to passes after lifting their requirements. It is interesting to note that Taupo had been requiring vaccine passes for entry into all their council offices, public pools, museums, and public toilets – again, a decision based on their risk assessment.
Following Government's guidelines, we will remove the need for vaccine passes at the central library on Tuesday, April 5.