Alert Level 2 restrictions reinstated at public facilities
Alert Level 2 restrictions – including contact tracing and physical distancing - have been reinstated at Waipā libraries and the Te Awamutu museum as of midday on Wednesday 12 August.
The increased restrictions come after the discovery of community transmission of Covid-19 earlier this week, triggering a move to Alert Level 3 for Auckland and Alert Level 2 for the rest of the country.
While Alert Level 2 is in place, both the Cambridge and Te Awamutu libraries and Te Awamutu Museum will remain open with reduced hours and restrictions in place until further notice.
Other community facilities such as playgrounds, skateparks, BMX tracks, public toilets and boat ramps will remain open.
The Te Awamutu Events centre, operated by GoWaipā, will shut for two hours today while a deep clean of the building takes place. Following this, the facility will be open for reduced hours with restrictions.
Waipā District Council community services manager Sally Sheedy said it was important for residents to adhere to strict physical distancing measures and to track their whereabouts.
“It is really important that we respond appropriately to this so we can manage a resurgence of this virus. Comprehensive contact tracing and physical distancing is the best chance we have as a community to prevent further spread.”
Sheedy encouraged residents using public facilities such as toilets, playground and exercise equipment to wash their hands before and after use and to refrain from using any equipment if feeling unwell.
“It is absolutely critical that you or any family members stay at home if you are feeling unwell or exhibiting flu-like symptoms. We all need to work together to care for our community.”
Sheedy said while Alert Level 2 was in place, contact tracing would be required at both libraries and the museum and a limit on the number of visitors allowed into the buildings would be in place.
The Cambridge and Te Awamutu libraries will operate on reduced hours from Monday to Friday from 9am - 5pm. Both facilities will be closed on weekends.
No more than 50 people will be allowed in the Te Awamutu Library and 30 in the Cambridge Library for a maximum of 20 minutes at once. These spaces will also operate on a one-in one-out policy.
The Te Awamutu Museum will also reduce its opening hours to 10am-4pm on weekdays with a limit of 20 people allowed in the facility for a maximum of 30 minutes at once.
Programmes such a Toddler Time and Wriggle and Rhyme at both libraries will also be on hold during Alert Level 2.
Restrictions will be in place until further notice. For more information visit www.waipadc.govt.nz/covid-19