The Government has announced that the Wellington region, which includes Lower Hutt, will be shifting to Orange in the Traffic Light System at 11:59pm on Thursday 2 December 2021.
As a result, Hutt City Council is now preparing to implement the new system across all our public facilities from Friday, 3 December.
As part of this, we are currently consulting with staff before making a decision on Thursday as to whether we will require My Covid Vaccination Passes.
“Keeping our staff and communities safe is our top priority. Life at Orange will give us more freedom across the city, and COVID Vaccine Passports are key to enjoying that freedom while protecting each other and the wider health system,” says Council Chief Executive Jo Miller.
“If you haven’t already, we urge everyone to download their vaccine pass ready for the new framework. If you’re not sure how to do this, our library staff are happy to help.”
Hutt City Council will confirm the status of its services and facilities on its website, social media channels and by media on Thursday 2 December ahead of the introduction of the Traffic Light System at 11.59pm.
Please be prepared for our public facilities (except pools) to open one hour later than usual on Friday, to allow for staff training.
According to the Ministry of Health:
At Orange, there will be community transmission, with pressure on our health system. The whole of the health system is focussing its resources, but can manage primary care, public health, and hospitals. There may also be an increasing risk for at-risk people.
How we stay safe at Orange:
- Record keeping and scanning are required
- Face coverings are mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public venues, and public facilities.
Where we can go at Orange:
- Public facilities are open with vaccine passes and capacity limits based on 1-metre distancing. This means the maximum number of people who could occupy the space if each person was 1 metre apart. People do not need to stand 1 metre apart.
- Retail, including farmers markets, is open with capacity limits based on 1-metre distancing.
- ECEs, schools, kura and tertiary providers are open, with public health measures in place.
Getting your COVID Vaccine Pass:
- Please request your COVID Vaccine Pass now, so you are ready to visit our Council sites from Friday 3 December
- To get your COVID Vaccine Pass visit www.mycovidrecord.health.nz or call the Ministry of Health on 0800 222 478 between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week. Have your NHI (National Health Index) number handy.
- For support accessing and printing your vaccine pass, our hubs and libraries are offering support and free printing.
Visiting Council sites:
- Keep track of where you go – scan in and show your COVID Vaccine Pass to staff when visiting our indoor sites and amenities
- You still need to also scan your COVID Tracer app or use an alternatively provided sign-in process, as the COVID Vaccine Pass is not a substitute for contact tracing
- Leave a little earlier for classes or events to avoid any queues during peak times
- Please follow the directions of our staff so we can check everyone in as quickly as possible
- Wear a face covering
- Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitiser
- If you are unwell with any of these symptoms, please stay home and call your doctor:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sneezing or a runny nose
What our facilities will look like at Orange
- We are open, hours at our facilities will be updated on our website
- NZ Pass Verifier will be at entrance to pools, gyms, community hubs, libraries, museums and community pop-up spaces (subject to outcome of consultation noting compulsory for gyms)
- Staff can help people download the vaccine pass or print these out for free
- Scanning/sign in
- Face masks
- 1 metre distancing
- Hand sanitiser available
