Going orange: where you'll need your vaccine pass in Nelson-Tasman
Tuesday, 30 November 2021
Do you have a vaccine pass?
Get ready to hear that question if you want to visit a cafe, work-out at the gym, or swim in local pools – but you won’t need a pass if you want to check a book out of the library.
At 11.59pm on Thursday, Nelson-Tasman, along with the rest of the South Island, moves to the orange light setting under the Government’s new Covid-19 Protection Framework.
The move comes as the region has three active cases of Covid in the community.
**READ MORE:
* Covid-19: Locations of interest in Delta outbreak – November 30
* Covid-19: two more cases in Nelson region
* Covid-19: Key changes made to gathering limits in Covid-19 protection framework
**
At the orange level venues and businesses that “opt in” and require vaccine passes can generally operate normally, with no capacity limits or seating requirements. Those that opt out will face more severe restrictions, such as cafes and restaurants only able to offer contactless pickup and delivery.
Nelson Hospitality Association president Ian Williams said many local businesses were still debating whether to opt in, but due to the restrictions on operations “my impression is that most will be vaccine only”.
His businesses – The Vic Public House and Burger Culture – would both require the vaccine pass, he said.
He asked the public to be “understanding” while the new system was embedded.
“We need them also to be understanding and patient with the process and kind to our staff.”
The aim was to make sure people felt welcomed, not interrogated, he said.
Club Waimea manager Wayne Williams said opting in was an easy decision.
“If we don't, with the extra regulations, it's hardly worth opening the doors.”
Nelson City Council Incident Management team leader Alec Louverdis said the guidelines for council facilities would be subject to change, and asked for patience.
“Our role now is to ensure people can access our facilities while remaining protected from Covid-19. In some cases that will mean requiring a vaccine pass, but where a service is essential for all we will rely on measures we are all familiar with such as continued physical distancing and mask wearing,” he said.
Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese said the challenge was to function as normally as possible while keeping safe.
“We want people to continue to enjoy our facilities, but to do so safely,” she said.
“It’s important that we deal with these situations respectfully; this is about the whole of the community working together.”
Tasman District Council chief executive Janine Dowding said the new system would mean a period of adjustment for people providing services and those accessing them.
“Just like everyone else living, working and operating in the traffic light system, we will be doing our very best to navigate this new environment.”
Dowding urged people to be mindful that “it’s not always going to be easy”.
“We expect our staff to be calm and respectful in all their interactions, and we ask the same in return from everyone accessing our services and facilities.”
The list of council services was subject to change due to “any centrally driven changes in response to the management of the pandemic”, she said.
Where you’ll need the vaccine pass around Nelson-Tasman
Nelson libraries – no pass required, with exceptions
People can access libraries without a vaccine pass. But, a pass will be needed for events, programmes, and any close contact library services, such as book a librarian.
Nelson City Council Customer Service Centre – no pass required
There will be rules in place to ensure safety, as there are at Alert Level 2.
Richmond Aquatic Centre, Riverside Pool and Nayland Pool – pass required
Because Richmond Aquatic Centre and Riverside Pool cannot be separated from the on-site gyms vaccine passes will be mandatory. For the sake of consistency Nayland Pool will also require a vaccine pass.
Founders Heritage Park – no pass required, with exceptions
Physical distancing and masks will be required. But, for all events and at Founders Cafe a pass will be required.
Isel and Broadgreen House – pass required
Passes needed to protect volunteer staff. A 1m physical distancing rule and mask wearing will also apply.
Brook Valley Holiday Park, Maitai Valley Motor Camp, Tahunanui Beach Holiday Park – no pass required
There will be a requirement for 1m physical distancing.
Nelson venues – pass required
This includes Trafalgar Centre, Trafalgar Pavilion, Trafalgar Park, Greenmeadows, Saxton Stadium, and Saxton Oval.
Marina Facilities and Office – no pass required
A 1m physical distancing rule will apply and mask wearing is strongly encouraged. The marina office will not require a vaccine pass, but only one person can enter at a time due to limits on space.
Pascoe Street Kiosk (waste/recycling) – no pass required
Kiosk users should remain in their car and pay using a contactless method only. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged.
Tasman District Council customer service offices and libraries in Richmond, Motueka, Tākaka, and Murchison – no pass required
Open without the need for My Vaccine Pass to gain entry.
Richmond Aquatic Centre – pass required
As a multi-use facility with a gym and a café will require a vaccine pass for entry.
Motueka Recreation Centre – no pass required
Groups will be limited to 50 people in each room to maintain 1 metre distancing with masks needed except when exercising. Entry into the gym within the facility will require a vaccine pass.
Moutere Hills Community Centre – no pass required
Groups will be limited to 50 people in each room to maintain 1 metre distancing with masks needed except when exercising. Entry into the gym will be through the external door only and require a vaccine pass.
Golden Bay Recreation Centre – no pass required
Groups will be limited to 50 people in each room to maintain 1 metre distancing with masks needed except when exercising.
Murchison Community Centre – no pass required
Groups will be limited to 50 people in each room to maintain 1 metre distancing with masks needed except when exercising.
Pōhara, Motueka Top 10 and Murchison campgrounds – pass required
A vaccine pass will be needed to enter and stay.
Council campgrounds at Collingwood, Kina and McKee Domain – no pass required
Social distancing and mask-wearing protocols will be in force.
Richmond Mall – no pass required, with exceptions
Centre manager Belinda de Clercq said people did not need a pass to enter the mall, but individual retailers could ask for passes.
Food outlets in the food court would be treated as takeaway, and tables would be kept 1m apart.
Nelson Market – no pass required
Managing director Nita Knight said masks would continue to be required and stallholders would have hand sanitiser available. Further details were still being worked through.
Club Waimea – pass required
Manager Wayne Williams said they would check members’ passes once and then update their membership details. Other visitors would need to show the pass for entry.
Motueka RSA – pass required
Manager Rebecca Hodges said they would be requiring passes. Because an extra staff member was needed to check passes, for the first two nights all patrons would need to be in the door by 7.30pm. They would reassess how it would work next week, she said.
Nelson Speedway – pass required
Club captain Kimble Rawson said they would be checking everyone was double vaccinated as they went through the gate. Drivers would also have to be vaccinated.
Flip Out (rebranding as Jumpin this week) – pass required for adults
Owner Phil Wright said they were treating it like school for children, but would be requiring passes for all adults. All staff were vaccinated, he said.
MiGym – pass required
In an email to members, MiGym said that after a survey found 80 per cent of members wanted passes to be used, that is what they would be doing. Membership details would be updated with vaccination status.
Christ Church Cathedral – mixture
Bishop Steve Maina Mwangi said they would hold a mix of services, with some requiring a pass, and some not. “We have hope we’ll get through this season together.”
City Fitness – pass required
Members are encouraged to “pre-verify” their vaccination pass to make entry to gyms easier.
The Vic Public House and Burger Culture – pass required
Owner Ian Williams said they would be checking passes at the door where possible, and otherwise at the bar or tables.
The Styx – pass required
In an email to customers The Styx said it would be requiring passes as it was the only viable option for the business.
The Mussel Inn – pass required
They announced the move on Facebook. “We wish to continue to operate for our locals and for our staff therefore we will be ‘opting in’.”
McDonald’s – pass required
McDonald’s New Zealand spokesman Simon Kenny told Stuff customers would need to present a vaccine pass to eat-in at its outlets.