Council closes facilities

In line with Auckland’s move to Alert Level 3, Auckland Council has closed all of its community facilities, effective immediately.

This includes all playgrounds and other facilities within our parks, like park benches and basketball courts, as well as non-essential services such as libraries, pools and leisure centres, service centres, visitor centres, our network of community venues and our early childhood education centres.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff asks everyone to remain calm and follow the Alert Level 3 rules.

“Auckland Council is closing all its community facilities and non-essential services to help prevent any further spread of COVID-19 in the community, ” Mr Goff says.

“However, essential Council services will continue, and supermarkets, pharmacies, and petrol stations will remain open. Please stay calm, shop as normal and follow Ministry of Health advice around good hygiene practices and social distancing. Those who can work from home should do so.

“We’ve beaten COVID-19 once already by working together, and we will do so again by working together as a team. Please look out for yourself and others, stay safe and follow the Ministry of Health guidelines.”

Acting Auckland Council chief executive Patricia Reade says that, in line with guidance from the government, Council will continue to provide essential services during Alert Level 3.

“Over the coming days, we’ll continue to pick up and dispose of rubbish and recycling, but other non-essential open space maintenance will be stopped until Friday. Around 100 of our public toilets will remain open for essential workers and members of the rough sleeper community, and our public transport system will continue to operate,” Ms Reade says.

While people must stay home unless it is essential, Council encourages people to make use of its online tools – Aucklanders will still be able borrow an electronic book, magazine or audiobooks from the library, lodge a consent or register their dog.