Covid-19 coronavirus: Rotorua Lakes Council lifts vaccine pass requirements for library, pools, landfill and more

A Covid Pass, pictured on a smartphone. Photo / Warren Buckland

Rotorua residents will no longer need to provide vaccine passes to use most district council facilities and services from next week.

Rotorua Lakes Council announced today it was lifting the requirement for vaccine passes and scanning in at its places including the library, civic centre, and aquatic centre from Tuesday.

However, there are exceptions at the Titokorangi Redwoods iSite, run by Rotorua Economic Development, and the Trility-run wastewater treatment plant.

Trility requires anyone entering its work sites in New Zealand and Australia to be vaccinated including the Rotorua wastewater treatment plant, which it operates and manages.

Regarding the Redwoods iSite, a Rotorua Economic Development spokeswoman said they were still in discussions with the other tenants around requirements.

A council spokeswoman said Trility told the council its decision followed a risk assessment and consultation with its workforce.

Everyone still has access to council laboratory services which operate from the wastewater treatment plant. Access to these services doesn't require entering the facility.

Other Government requirements under red in the Covid-19 alert system remain in place. This predominantly means the wearing of face masks and social distancing. Indoor gatherings limited to 200 people also remain.

The council's Hinemaru St entrance to the Customer Centre will also re-open from Tuesday, meaning people will be able to access the Civic Centre from both the Haupapa and Hinemaru St entrances.

The next review of the red traffic light setting is expected on Monday.

The council said it may review its Covid rules in future if there is another significant wave of community transmission.

The council facilities and venues that will not require a vaccine pass from Tuesday are: Rotorua landfill, recycling centre, and transfer stations; Infracore Nursery; the crematorium; Fenton St iSite; dog pound; Rotorua Aquatic Centre; Energy Events Centre; Rotorua International Stadium; Rotorua Library; and the Civic Centre.