Napier's council is saying little on whether it will mandate vaccine passes at most of its public facilities, despite its twin city Hastings doing it with a growing number of cases in the region.
Vaccine pass requirement sign Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
There are now 30 active cases of Covid-19 in Hawke's Bay, most related to a Delta cluster in Hastings from a gym.
But Omicron is also in the region.
The Hastings District Council said from tomorrow, it would mandate vaccine passes for numerous places including its offices, council aquatic facilities and local i-sites.
Vaccine passes are already required across the district at its libraries, art gallery and the Toitoi arts centre.
Council chief executive Nigel Bickle said they balanced government requirements and accessibility to services with the health risks.
"We are obliged under the Health and Safety at Work Act to take whatever steps we practicably can to keep our customers, the public and our staff safe. Ministry of Health advice is very clear that being vaccinated is the strongest, most effective tool to protect against infection and negative health impacts from Covid-19.
"These facilities and services have a wide variety of users, some of whom are more vulnerable - such as older people and children - and we need to ensure these spaces are able to be accessed safely, both for the public and our staff."
In the neighbouring city of Napier, vaccine passes are required at fewer council facilities.
Vaccine passes are only needed for the Napier Aquatic Centre, Municipal Theatre, National Aquarium, War Memorial Centre and Kennedy Park Resort.
The likes of council service buildings, libraries and the MTG building (including the museum/art gallery and Century Theatre) do not require vaccine passes for entry.
A Napier City Council spokesperson said the council was "reviewing our risk assessments and policies on a daily basis as the situation around us changes".
"Staff and community safety are at the forefront of our decision making."
In a social media post when the traffic light system was introduced on 3 December, the council said: "As the majority of our services and spaces are public facilities, we know how important it is for our whole community to have access to them and, where possible, without restriction."
The Hawke's Bay DHB is calling for people to have a kōrero to work out how ready they were to deal with Covid-19, as Omicron and Delta was circulating in the region.
"It's time to plan and prepare. If you haven't already, download the Covid-19 Readiness Checklist and work out with your whānau what you need to do and who you need to talk to so you are ready to support each other if needed."