Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, Tauranga will move to Alert Level 4 from 11.59pm tonight for three days.
Under Alert Level 4, the city will keep running but Council’s focus and workforce will shift to supplying essential services to the community.
Understandably, this will cause some disruption to services, but we thank everyone for their understanding as we all work together to stamp out COVID-19.
What you need to know:
Waste collection
Waste and recycling collection and disposal are an essential service so collections will continue to take place in the safest way possible. Assisted services will be suspended under Alert Level 4 and the transfer stations will be closed.
Changes to kerbside collections during alert level 4
Parks and playgrounds
Some park gates will be locked, and playgrounds are also closed as COVID-19 can survive on a range of surfaces. Under Alert Level 4 you can still go for walks but avoid spaces where you cannot practice safe social distancing.
As sections of the tracks up and around Mauao are too narrow for people to safely maintain social distance, it will be closed from 7am and kaitiaki will be on site to remind people not to use the tracks. McLaren Falls Park will also be closed to the public.
Customer Service Centre
The customer service centre is closed but the call centre is available 24/7. You can reach them on (07) 577 7000. You can also do many of the things you need from us online – please visit our ‘Do it online’ page at www.tauranga.govt.nz
Tauranga City Libraries
All Tauranga City Libraries are closed. If you have any library items, please hold onto them for now.
- The due date of all items currently on loan that have a status of being ‘checked out’ have been extended and no overdue fines will accrue.
- All book returns slots are closed. Please hold your items until we re-open.
- Any library item requests received before Alert Level 3 will be held and will be available for pick up when we re-open.
An extensive collection of eBooks, eNewspapers, eMagazines, and other online resources is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Digital Library. If you don’t have a library card, you can apply for a digital-only membership and begin borrowing our eResources right away.
For up-to-date information please continue to visit the Tauranga City Libraries website or Facebook page. You can also get in touch with us via email or phone us 07 577 7177.
Tauranga Art Gallery and venues
Tauranga Art Gallery, Bay Venues Limited (BVL), BayCourt Community and Arts Centre will all be closed.
Transportation
Council will continue to deal with immediate safety issues like dangerous potholes and debris on the road. CCTV cameras will still be monitored, and streetlights will still function.
Community welfare
Emergency welfare and support services are being coordinated by Civil Defence Emergency Management, for which Council has an essential role alongside partner agencies and organisations.
For more information on Council services and disruptions caused by COVID-19 visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/covid19. Also follow @taurangacitycouncil on Facebook.
Building inspections
There will be no building inspections under Alert Level 4. Inspections that were planned over the next three days will be rescheduled.
Animal Services
Animal services will continue to manage the Pound and respond to dangerous and wandering dogs.
For a full update on Council services and facilities, visit: tauranga.govt.nz/covid19
For updates on COVID-19 visit: covid19.govt.nz