News

Porirua City services at Alert Level 2

New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2 at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 13 May.

This will see some big changes in Porirua as many council facilities and services are able to reopen at Level 2, but in a safe and limited way, says Porirua Mayor Anita Baker.

“While we move down a level it is still important to keep the wall of protection up. That means staying home if you’re sick, regular hand washing, no gatherings of more than 10, keeping records for contact tracing and maintaining social distancing – two metres with strangers, and one metre in controlled areas,” she says.

“We’ve done so well as a nation and as a city – so let’s not lose the gains we’ve made and keep up the great work.”

In line with Government guidelines on physical distancing, gathering numbers and safe practices the following will apply under Level 2:

Council meetings

• Council and Committee meetings will return to Council chambers.
• A maximum of 10 members of the public (including media) will be able to attend.
• Contact tracing will be required (you’ll need to provide your name and contact details).

Council building – front counter services

•  The counter will operate normal hours and offer a full service.
• All customers will be directed to a queue where they will provide their name and contact details on an ipad for contact tracing.
• No cash will be accepted. Eftpos or paywave will be available with sanitisation of handset after each transaction.
• Customers with appointments will be directed to a temporary meeting space.
• All visitors, including contractors, must sign in.
• Screens will be fitted at customer service points.
  

Libraries

• All branches will reopen, with limited hours at first. Please check the website for opening hours.
• Some services may not be available because of the need for physical distancing.
• Contact tracing will take place (you’ll need to provide your name and contact details).
• Returned items will be wiped down with disinfectant then quarantined for three days before processing.
• Public computers will not be available in the first week of Level 2. Once available, staff won’t be able to help customers use them due to physical distancing.
• No cash will be accepted. Eftpos or paywave will be available with sanitisation of handset after each transaction.
• Screens will be fitted at customer service points.

Council nursery

• The nursery will reopen to the public once systems are in place to do so safely. The date is not confirmed yet.
• Contact tracing will take place (you’ll need to provide your name and contact details).
• No cash will be accepted. Eftpos or paywave will be available with sanitisation of handset after each transaction.

Whenua Tapu Cemetery and Chapel

• Open, with physical distancing requirements and limited numbers in the chapel.
• Contact tracing for all chapel visitors (you’ll need to provide your name and contact details).
• The chapel will be cleaned after each service.
• The cemetery will be open to the public.
• Any cemetery payments will need to be made at the main Council offices, not the depot.

Pātaka

• Limits of 100 people in the facility.
• Entrances to the Spine will be managed by security guards to make sure contact tracing is completed (you’ll need to provide your name and contact details).
• Physical distance markers and signage will be in place.
• Staff will work behind a screen at the counter.
• Toi Store will be open, with a one in, one out policy and no trying on of goods.
  
• Hire and meeting spaces will not be available for bookings.
  
• No cash will be accepted. Eftpos or paywave will be available with sanitisation of handset after each transaction.
  
• Kaizen Café will reopen, with hours to be confirmed.
  

Arena and Cannons Creek Pool

• Contact tracing will be required (you’ll need to provide your name and contact details).
• Screens will be fitted at customer service points.
• No cash will be accepted. Eftpos or paywave will be available with sanitisation of handset after each transaction.
• Lap pools will be open with reduced numbers and wider lanes.
• The leisure pool will be open with restricted numbers.
• The toddler pool, steam room and sauna will be closed.
• Spa pools will be open with restricted numbers.
• Aquarobic classes will not be running.
  
• Learn to Swim will be operating with restricted attendees and a modified programme.
  

Te Rauparaha Arena and Arena Fitness

• No events will be held during Level 2.
• Meeting rooms will not be available for general hire.
• The fitness centre will open with restricted numbers.
  
• Group fitness will operate with a reduced timetable and class sizes.
  
• Arena Café will reopen, with hours to be confirmed.
  

Animal control

• Usual animal control services will resume, but any payments will need to be made at the main Council building not the pound.
• The pound will be open 11am to 2pm on weekdays but closed weekends and public holidays.
• Contact tracing will be in place for all visitors (you’ll need to all provide your name and contact details).
  
• Physical distancing will be observed.
  
• Screens will be fitted at customer service points.
  

Depot offices

• Depot office closed to the public.
  
• Pre-arranged visitors will need to provide contact tracing details. 

Operations support services

• The Streetworks team will continue their usual services.

Community Halls

• Closed to the public while numbers are restricted to 10 people.

Dogs

• Dogs can be off-leash in the areas this is usually allowed, provided they’re under control and staying 1m from others.
• Dog parks will reopen, but physical distancing should be kept in mind.

Parks

• Playgrounds will reopen after a thorough clean and maintenance check.
• Skate parks will be open.
• Mountain bike tracks are open
  
• Courts, turf and sportsgrounds will be open and bookings can be made as usual.
  
• The Splash pad at Aotea Lagoon is open.
  
• Picnic areas are open but please keep numbers to 10 or under. Our public BBQs are closed for now, as a safety precaution.
  

Public toilets

• All public toilets are open and being cleaned as usual.

Spicer Landfill

• Spicer Landfill will be open to the public at Level 2, with slightly restricted hours (closing at 4pm). There will be more capacity than at Level 3, with one more bay in operation. 
• Contact tracing procedures will remain in place and this can be done in advance using this link to speed things up https://tinyurl.com/y7k698du
• No cash – eftpos and credit cards only.
• The bulk recycling facility will reopen. There will be no contact tracing in place so it’s important to stay 2m from other people if using this facility.
• Trash Palace will reopen, following government guidelines for retail premises, including contact tracing.
  
  

Rubbish and recycling

• Rubbish and recycling collections will continue as usual.
• Recycling will be back to normal with mixed recycling, which was previously going to landfill as the sorting plant was closed, now able to be sorted and recycled.

Parking

• Parking enforcement will operate as usual, with officers maintaining 1m spacing.

Building inspections

• Building inspections will continue provided control plan is in place on site.

Resource consent enforcement

• Site visits will continue for monitoring and compliance.

Resource consent planning

• Normal resource consenting services will resume, 1m spacing when around other people with the exception of duty planning, which will remain by phone in most circumstances.

Noise control

• Normal noise control services will resume, with officers maintaining 1m spacing when around other people.
• Any large gatherings found (such as parties with more than 10 people) when responding to noise complaints will be referred to Police.

All site visits will be subject to strict Covid-19 safety requirements. Any staff accessing council sites or other premises will follow strict health and safety protocols including handwashing and sanitising, signing in and physical distancing.

 

12 May 2020