Local Government COVID-19 Response Update – Tuesday 17 August 2021
Return to Local Government COVID Response Unit updates
Here’s todays update
The Prime Minister announced today that the whole of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm tonight. Auckland and Coromandel will be in Alert Level 4 for seven days, and the Alert Level for rest of the country will be reviewed after three days.
There is a 48-hour window to allow people to travel home, but it is recommended to get home as soon as possible if you need to.
Face coverings are now recommended anywhere outside of the home.
If you have cold and flu symptoms, please get tested. Available testing sites can be found here on the Ministry of Health website: Available testing sites, with more being stood up in Auckland from tomorrow.
Locations of interest can be found here on the Ministry of Health website: Locations of Interest. If you are considered a contact, get tested.
Economic assistance is available for those impacted by the lockdown, more information available on the COVID-19 website.
Covid-19 vaccinations are being suspended for 48 hours.
The Response Unit will be providing further guidance around what the change in Alert Levels means for council operations as soon as possible. The email address LGCGcovid19response@dia.govt.nz is being closely monitored and can be contacted if you have any specific queries.
What we know about the current case
A positive case of COVID-19 has been identified in the community in Auckland. The case travelled to the Coromandel township over the weekend returning to Auckland on Sunday.
Genome sequencing is underway, with results expected tomorrow morning. It is assumed the case is the Delta variant of COVID-19.
Officials are currently investigating the case, which at this stage has no known link to the border.
Initial testing shows the case may have been infectious since 12 August.
Locations of interest in both Coromandel township and Auckland are being updated on the Ministry of Health website as they become known.
What Alert Level 4 means
Stay home and keep to your bubble. Your bubble is your household, and anyone that may be dependent on you.
Only leave home for essential services: visiting the super market, exercise, getting tested, or receiving urgent medical care.
When leaving home for essential exercise, please wear a mask and physically distance from those outside your bubble.
Keeping communities safe
Remember the golden rules:
- Stay home, stick to your bubble
- If you are feeling unwell, contact Healthline about a COVID-19 test
- Wash your hands
- Scan QR codes
- Turn on Bluetooth tracing on the NZ COVID Tracer app
Epidemic notice remains in force
The following provisions will remain in place until the Principal Notice expires or is revoked:
the amendments to enable council meetings via audio or visual link to meet quorum requirements regardless of Council Standing Orders;
the provisions enabling council meetings to be open to the public through online access and to post meeting agendas, reports and minutes on council websites rather than physical locations;
new members of Council can continue to make their statutory declaration (oath of office) via audio or audio-visual link; and
the Order-in-Council mechanism for making further changes to by-election timing and provisions enabling local authority chief executives to delay the commencement of by-election timeframes.
