Council libraries prepare to re-open

Warkworth and Orewa Libraries will re-open next Wednesday, but not Whangaparaoa, Wellsford or Mahurangi East.

Auckland Council’s service centres in Warkworth and Orewa will also re-open next week.

Council is taking a phased approach to the reopening of its network of more than 400 community facilities, including its 55 libraries, to ensure they meet the strict Covid-19 health and safety requirements.

Libraries and fitness centres will open progressively with special measures in place as a safeguard against the spread of Covid-19.

Patrons are asked to follow all the guidelines around contact tracing and hygiene while using Council facilities.

Council chief executive Stephen Town says that most Council facilities will be open next week but, a staged approach to Alert Level 2 means that some may take a little longer to open.

Pools, for instance, will remain closed but most fitness centres will open next Thursday. Council’s early childhood education centres and after school programmes, will open on Monday.

“Getting all of these facilities back up and running is a big job and I’m proud of our staff who have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare them for reopening and make sure they are safe spaces for people to enjoy once again,” Mr Town says.

“Many staff have also been supporting the welfare efforts being led out of Auckland Emergency Management, and that work will continue alongside the reopening of our services.”

There will be limits to the number of people allowed in facilities at any one time and a QR code contactless check-in process for anyone who wants to enter any of our buildings.

“We’ll have staff members available to help customers through the check-in process if they don’t have a mobile phone or the technology to complete the online form themselves.”

Next week will also see the doors to 21 council-run community venues open again in the first phase of the reopening of the Council’s arts, community and event venues over the coming months.

Council is continuing to work through how regional and local events can be supported under Alert Level 2. In line with the government’s guidelines, events and activities on public open space or Council-owned land will only be permitted for gatherings of no more than 10 people.

Gates at Council cemeteries opened yesterday, and cemetery offices opened to the public today May 15. In line with revised guidelines from the government, 50 people will be allowed to go to a funeral home and attend a chapel service or burial.

A full list of all Council facilities opening next week is available here