Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has warned that locals should be prepared for possible temporary facilities closures or reduced levels of service in the event of a Covid-19 community outbreak.

Regardless of whether the Delta or Omicron variant is in the community the council needs to keep providing essential services to the community, chief executive Mike Theelen said.

Essential services include collecting and processing recycling and waste, maintaining water supply and wastewater infrastructure, responding to wandering dogs, repairing local roads, processing resource and building consent applications and maintaining and operating community facilities.

Covid modellers are currently predicting rapid growth in case numbers, with daily cases in the thousands within weeks. 

“Overseas we’ve seen significant numbers of cases, and this has led to staff shortages across all industries with some reporting up to 25 percent of their workforce out of action at any time,” Mike said. 

“So, there is a possibility that due to similar staff shortages through illness or the need to isolate we may need to temporarily close a gym or a library, limit our reception desks at council offices, or pause some services.”

Mike said the council’s priority will be on maintaining the “critical lifeline services” (such as water supply and wastewater services) and working closely with its contractors to ensure staff can keep delivering these at all times. 

Since the start of the pandemic QLDC has been operating a business continuity planning team which focuses on how council can ensure it is still able to meet the needs of local communities. 

The move to the red Covid Protection Framework setting was being planned for well ahead of the summer break, enabling staff to move to an operating model which sees a maximum office capacity limit to ensure physical distancing and reduce the risk of the workplace becoming a ‘super spreader’ environment. 

“Many teams are also working in ‘bubbles’ so if or when we do see infection and the need to isolate, it limits the contacts affected. The goal here is to make sure we always have staff available to deliver the services needed by locals,” Mike said.

“Should any temporary closures or reductions in service be necessary, I would ask for patience and a bit of kindness. At the end of last year, we saw some unacceptable behaviour towards council staff including abusive and threatening language, and that is never ok,” he said.

Details regarding council services under the various Covid Protection Framework settings can be found on the QLDC website. Any changes to availability of facilities and levels of services will be notified.

PHOTO: Wānaka App