Queenstown Lakes District Council has announced it will close public facilities including local recreation centres, pools, libraries and community halls in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The wider district now has three confirmed COVID-19 cases, plus two other cases were contracted within the district during a conference.

“From 8pm (close of business) tomorrow our two recreation centres, the Wanaka Recreation Centre and the Queenstown Events Centre (including the Alpine Health and Fitness Gym and Frankton Golf Centre), the Arrowtown Pool together with all district libraries will remain closed for further review on 6 April 2020,” mayor Jim Boult said. 

With Otago Anniversary Day on Monday (March 23) the Wanaka and Hawea libraries won’t open on the public holiday, but the Wanaka Recreation Centre and swimming pool will be operating their usual public holiday hours on Monday from 8:00am-8:00pm.

All council halls, including the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall, Lake Wanaka Centre, Queenstown Memorial Hall, Luggate Hall and other smaller facilities will also be closed, with all bookings cancelled until further notice.

The local pool, in the Wanaka Recreation Centre, will be closed from 8pm tomorrow (Monday March 23).

The closure did not apply to camping facilities and hubs, some of which were and would be necessary for self isolation, although stringent sanitisation rules were being applied, Jim said.

Council decided to close the facilities to reduce transmission of COVID-19 after the government announced the country was at ‘alert level’ two. 

QLDC chief executive CEO Mike Theelen said staff jobs at the affected facilities remained secure. “Where possible staff [at the closed facilities] will be looking at innovative ways to continue to give our communities a level of service,” he said.

Library members can continue to access a range of online resources for free. These include an expanded range of e-books and e-audio books, PressReader for current magazines and newspapers, and Beamafilm for movies and documentaries. For more information click here.

Mike said council will continue to provide service to the community under the new alert level two requirements, which include asking staff to work from home where possible.

“At this point we are continuing to provide ‘in person’ customer facing support to our community but ask that the community now considers moving to doing business via the council website where it can, or by calling or emailing customer service (Wanaka 03 4430024),” he said.

“This is an unprecedented and challenging time but we will continue to keep you informed and updated as much as we can,” Mike said. “...We do ask for patience if there are possible delays in processing times or changes to how we deliver services. The safety of our staff remains my priority.”

PHOTOS: Wanaka App