Covid-19

Ōpōtiki is at Alert Level 2.

Read about Alert Levels and what measures we need to take.

Check the Alert Levels for other areas of Aotearoa New Zealand.

As a Council we are here to support our community. Our planning is robust and together we can unite against Covid-19. It is vital you follow the government’s updates and understand what is required of us all to stop the spread of Covid-19. We are all in this together.

Key contacts and sources of information

COVID-19

For everything you need to know about COVID-19 and how you can unite against COVID-19, go to the New Zealand Government COVID-19 website.

Health advice and information

For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or visit the Ministry of Health website.

Or view the government's support and services contact card or our Community support and services page.

Support for individuals, families, employers and self-employed people

For info about the support available for individuals, families, employers and self-employed people affected by COVID-19, contact Work and Income services on 0800 559 009 or go to the Work and Income website.

Or view the government's support and services contact card or our Community support and services page.

Access to food and essential items PDF 79KB

Locations of interest and testing

Locations of interest are constantly being updated and a list is available on the Ministry of Health website.

For up-to-date information on all testing locations, please visit the Healthpoint website.

Vaccinations

Go to bookmyvaccine.nz or call the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.

Alert Level breaches

Reporting breaches of any COVID-19 restrictions 105.police.govt.nz.

Face coverings

You are encouraged to wear a face covering when leaving your home, especially if it is hard to keep 2 metres physical distance from others.

You legally must wear a face covering if you are a customer or an employee involving customer contact at a business or service operating at Alert Levels 2, 3 and 4. This means, you legally must wear a face covering when visiting healthcare facilities; when visiting any businesses and services that are open and involve customer contact, including supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations.

Council services & facilities at Alert Level 2

As a result of the government’s move to Alert Level 2, Ōpōtiki District Council’s Office and community facilities will re-open from Thursday 9 September, with restrictions in place to help reduce the potential spread of Covid-19.

All community facilities will have the following restrictions, as per the government guidelines at this level:

• Mandatory contact tracing
• Physical distancing of 2m
• Face coverings required indoors
• A maximum number of 50 people indoors, and 100 people outdoors (potentially fewer depending on the ability to keep 2m apart at specific facilities).

OFFICE

Our offices will re-open Thursday 9 September with limited hours of 9am-12noon and 1pm-4pm.

The front doors will be operated manually by staff, and a maximum of two people will be allowed into the reception area at a time.

Please:

• Sign in using the QR code and the NZ Covid Tracer App or the ballot boxes available if you do not have access to the app
• Wear a mask and use the sanitiser provided
• Utilise electronic payment methods rather than cash when possible
• Utilise email and phone calls in the first instance to contact staff
• Stay home if you are unwell and call Healthline
• Be kind and respect our staff who are following COVID 19 requirements.

Staff are available to take your calls on 07 315 3030 and you can access many Council services through our website www.odc.govt.nz or email info@odc.govt.nz with your enquiry.

i-SITE

Open from Thursday 9 September with limited hours of Monday to Friday 9am-12noon and 1pm and 4.30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am-12.30pm.

You can call the i-SITE team on 07 3153031 or email infocentre@odc.govt.nz

LIBRARY

Open from Thursday 9 September with limited hours of 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm. CLOSED Saturdays

You can call the Library team on 07 3156170, contact them by email at library@odc.govt.nz or through the Library Facebook page. You can join the library and access a range of services on the Library’s Kotui website or through their app. There are no fines for overdue books.

The Digital Hub remains closed.

NOISE CONTROL, ANIMAL CONTROL, POUND

Normal operations.

Reports can also be made by calling 07 3153030, through the Antenno app, or our Contact Us online form.

For stock on highways contact NZTA on 0800 822 422

PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS AND RESERVES, TOILETS

Open.

KERBSIDE REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION

The urban kerbside refuse and recycling collection will continue as normal. Put your refuse and recycling bins out as normal. Please ensure all recycling is clean and doesn't contain food waste. Normal capacity and volume restrictions apply.

RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRES (RRCs) WILL OPERATE AS FOLLOWS:

Refuse Recovery Centres are open and all residual waste & recycling material will now be accepted. Normal charges will apply.

• Mask are required at all times while in the centre.
• Contact tracing is compulsory and QR codes and manual recording forms are available at all sites.
• Physical distancing requirements are in effect, entry into parts of the site will be limited.
• No salvaging of any material will be permitted and the eco shop will remain closed at level 2.
• Due to the increased level of operations, some delays should be expected.

RRC hours of operation have not changed. They are:

Ōpōtiki, 8.00am - 4:00pm Thursday to Monday
Te Kaha, 9am – 2pm Saturday to Monday and Wednesday
Waihau Bay 9.00am – 2.00pm – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

BUILDING INSPECTIONS

Ōpōtiki District Council is now conducting inspections in level 2.

The following protocols need to be in place before we can undertake an building inspection under level 2. The first two are a legal requirement and the remainder taken from the Chasnz construction best practice for residential construction.

1. Site registered with Govt and a QR code displayed in a prominent location.
2. Only 1 point of contact on site , both inspector and point of contact to have masks on and to maintain 1 metre separation.
3. Wash down station (soap or hand sanitiser)
4. Sign in register/ or sign in app to be in a prominent place on site.
5. Covid 19 signage with site contact and phone number

Before an inspector enters a person home to conduct an inspection the following items need to be observed:

1. Receive confirmation at the time of arrival that no one in the home is unwell and while there maintain a 2 metre separation with face coverings to be worn.
2. As the residential property (home) will not have a QR code, the inspector will take the names of the persons residing at that property at the time of inspection in order to meet the requirements for contact tracing for the benefit of Council in meeting our obligations under Covid 19 contact tracing. It is also recommended the homeowner keeps a record of the visit in a diary or calendar.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES PERSONNEL

Essential services personnel, including Council staff and Council contractors, will continue to operate throughout the Ōpōtiki Township and along the coast.

These personnel work to keep essential services running which include Solid Waste, Wastewater, Water Supply, and the event of an emergency such as a storm, Land Transport and Stormwater. We ask that they be left to get on with their important work. They will be trying to practice zero contact for their safety and the safety of the public as far as possible.

WASTEWATER

Normal operations. We stress the importance of only flushing toilet paper. Wet/baby wipes can cause pump stations to block up resulting in loss of service.

WATER SUPPLY

Potable (drinking) water service will continue as normal.

PROJECTS

Several key projects have restarted and will be operating safely at Alert Level 2 and Covid requirements are core to operations. We ask that people keep a distance from staff and contractors and if they have any questions, please call Council on 07 3153030 so that we can answer queries without breaking distance rules.

Projects restarting:

1. J-Stone Skate park - Construction of Skate Park and pump Track
2. Tracks Concrete Ltd - Complete Ford Street Reserve
3. Splice Construction - Tarawa Creek Development
4. Splice Construction - Wainui Road completion
5. Wilson Brothers - Kukumoa Cycleway
6. Waiotahi Contractors - King Street Stormwater and Goring Street Reseal
7. Delta Contracting - Pipi Beds Cycleway
8. Delta Contracting - Road Maintenance Contract

COVID-19 AND RATES

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and may have trouble paying your rates on time there is a range of resources that may be of help. For a list of available options see our Rates page.