People aged 12 and older will now need to show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19, and wear a mask on entry to visit most of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) staffed services, facilities and venues.

QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said the change was introduced as the district shifts to the Orange light setting of the government’s Covid-19 Protection Framework (CPF). 

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly but is an important part of our responsibility to protect our staff and communities as we move into a new phase of living with Covid-19,” he said.

Council spokesperson Sam White told the Wānaka App there has been “an escalation in anger” over the past few days across customer-facing roles and facilities – sport and recreation, libraries and office receptions.

“Hopefully this will die down as more people get used to the new traffic light system,” he said.

Mike said there is a very high vaccination rate right across the district so most people will be able to continue to use the council facilities as usual. 

“For those who can’t, or have chosen not to get vaccinated at this time, we are endeavouring to adapt or modify our services so they can continue to participate in some form. Obviously this can’t include using our pools and gym, but it can mean people accessing a growing range of online and contactless services,” he said.

For the time being public reception areas at council offices in Queenstown and Ardmore Street in Wānaka are open to everyone, with the use of face masks and physical distancing.

The council will continue to actively review this position to reduce risk to staff and ensure QLDC’s ability to carry out its functions, Mike said.

He said it will take time to get used to the new system so he encouraged everyone to be patient.

“It’s incredibly disappointing that many of our frontline staff are already being verbally abused and threatened and I would ask people to recognise and respect that council staff are just trying to do their job. These are decisions of council made in alignment with government direction and legislation. It’s never OK to abuse or make staff feel unsafe.”

The following facilities and venues will require proof of vaccination to enter: Wānaka Recreation Centre including aquatic facilities and swim school; all QLDC libraries district-wide; community venues, including the Lake Wānaka Centre.

“Members and those with existing bookings have already been contacted to help them prepare for these changes,” Mike said.

A pass won’t be required to access council-managed transfer stations and recycling centres but all visitors must scan in using the NZ Covid Tracer app or manual registration form, wear a mask and observe one metre physical distancing where possible.

PHOTO: Wānaka App