The majority of Invercargill City Council’s public facilities will not require vaccination certificates, at this time, when the city shifts to the new COVID-19 alert level framework, including the city library and Splash Palace.

The Government announced on Monday 29 November that Invercargill would be at the Orange alert level when the new COVID-19 traffic light framework comes into place around the country from Friday 3 December.

Invercargill City Council Chief Executive Clare Hadley said the health and safety of staff and the community was the organisation’s highest priority when considering the impacts of the new framework.

“We have undertaken considerable risk assessments across our many facilities and roles to ensure we can continue to operate our important services with the greatest benefit for the community,” she said.

“This does mean that for two of our facilities, including parts of the Civic Theatre, and Rugby Park, we will require our community to show their vaccination certificates to attend events. But as the majority of Council’s spaces are public facilities, we will not be introducing a requirement for vaccination certificates at the Invercargill City Library, Administration Building, Splash Palace, Bluff Service Centre and Library or He Waka Tuia, at this time.

“We will continue to have safety restrictions in place at all of our facilities and we will be reviewing this regularly as more information comes to hand. Council will also review the settings when it meets with the Risk and Assurance Committee on 16 December.

“While we have not introduced vaccination requirements at all of our facilities at this stage, Council supports the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination programme and we encourage members of our community to get vaccinated to ensure our people and our city are protected.

“We aim to be as responsive as possible in this changing environment and we appreciate your understanding and patience as we undergo this transition.”

The following restrictions and guidelines will be in place at Council facilities at the Orange level:

Civic Administration Building and Council Chambers: Vaccination certificates not required, face coverings required, physical distancing guidelines in place, capacity limits, sign-in required.

Bluff Service Centre and Library: Vaccination certificates not required, face coverings required, physical distancing guidelines in place, capacity limits, sign-in required.

Invercargill City Libraries and Archives: Vaccination certificates not required, face coverings required, physical distancing guidelines in place, capacity limits, sign-in required.

Splash Palace: Vaccination certificates not required, face coverings required in entry foyer areas, physical distancing guidelines in place, capacity limits, sign-in required, food and beverage restrictions in place.

He Waka Tuia: Vaccination certificates not required, face coverings required, physical distancing guidelines in place, capacity limits, sign-in required.

Civic Theatre (auditorium events/shows): Vaccination certificates required, face coverings encouraged, patrons encouraged to arrive early, sign-in required.

Civic Theatre (Victoria and Drawing Rooms): Vaccination certificates not required, face coverings required, physical distancing guidelines in place, capacity limits, sign-in required.

Scottish Hall: The Hall is available to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated events. The requirement of vaccination certificates to be determined by venue hire client/event operator. If required, there will be limits on capacity, food and beverage restrictions, and physical distancing requirements. Sign-in required.

Rugby Park: Vaccination certificates required, face coverings encouraged, patrons encouraged to arrive early, sign-in required.

Council Parks, Reserves and Playgrounds: There are no new requirements following this change to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework. All Parks, Reserves and Playgrounds will follow the SportNZ guidelines.

For more information on Invercargill City Council’s COVID-19 response, please visit: icc.govt.nz/covid

For information on how to get your vaccination certificate, please visit: covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-certificates/my-vaccine-pass

For information on the traffic light alert system, please visit: covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/covid-19-protection-framework

To book in to receive your free COVID-19 vaccine, please call your GP, call 0800 28 29 26 or visit bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz.