Covid-19 Alert Level Change

Update to alert levels 18 February

• Taranaki is now back in level one
• Our facilities are all open
• We ask staff and visitors to remember the health tips, to scan and use the Covid tracing app.
• Please remember to:
  • stay home if sick with cold or flu-like symptoms and get advice on a test
  • wash and dry hands
  • cough and sneeze into elbows, and 
  • scan everywhere you go.

Puke Ariki update, 3:30pm 17 February

• Puke Ariki Museum and the i-Site have reopened after a deep clean.  
• Staff who were on duty that day were swabbed as a precaution and have been given the all-clear.
• All public programmes remain cancelled and we’re encouraging social distancing at Puke Ariki Library and community libraries.

Puke Ariki update, 10am 16 February

• After undergoing a deep clean Puke Ariki Museum is open to the public. The i-Site remains closed until our staff who are self-isolating are back at work.

Updated information about our facilities and services, 12pm 15 February

• Alert Level 2 Covid 19 restrictions will apply at all NPDC facilities until midnight Wednesday.
• Puke Ariki Museum and i-Site are closed today and they are undergoing a deep clean. 
• As a precautionary measure, staff on duty that day are being swabbed and are self-isolating.
• All public programmes are cancelled and we’re encouraging social distancing at Puke Ariki Library and community libraries.
• The Mobile Library will not be running.
• The Todd Energy Aquatic Centre and district pools will be closed to recreational swimming, lane swimming remains open with social distancing in place, check the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre page to see which activities are available..
• TSB Showplace and TSB Stadium have no large events booked, and social distancing and other safety measures will be in place for events under 100 people.
• The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is reviewing all its public programmes and has postponed today’s Sense Art tour.
• The Ministry of Health has requested we send sewage samples for Covid testing each day this week but you’d need to speak to the MOH to find out more about that.
• We’re working with the TDHB on managing traffic at the testing station at the New Plymouth hospital but you’d need to speak to the TDHB about the details.
• All other services and operations, including rubbish collections, continue as usual.
• We ask staff and visitors to remember the health tips, to scan and use the Covid tracing app, and to social distance.

Update, 9am 15 February

General

• We know people may be concerned about this latest news.
• It’s important we stay calm and stick to the Covid rules. 
• Remember our team of 5 million have got on top of outbreaks before.
• Take care, don’t  panic and look after each other.
• We’ll be taking a precautionary approach and following health guidelines.

Taranaki link

• We know last weekend two of the new Auckland cases travelled to New Plymouth where they visited a number of tourist locations. 
• Exact locations in New Plymouth are: Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, Fitzroy, Pukekura Park, Puke Ariki Museum and i-Site, Back Beach and Te Papakura o Taranaki (Egmont National Park).
• Along with two fast food outlets, Sumela Kebab and Pizza Hut on the corner of Gover and Leach streets, as well as Amber Court Motel, Cycle Inn New Plymouth, and the BP on Breakwater Road.
• Close contacts are being asked to stay home and get tested, as per Ministry guidelines.
• We will continue to work with our local District Health Board, other regional authorities and Central Government to keep everyone safe.
• Please remember to stay at home if you are sick, wash your hands and scan/use the tracing app.
• For all the latest visit the Covid website.
• Further information on New Plymouth locations of interest can be found on the Ministry of Health website.

Testing in Taranaki

• Please don't rush to be tested if you are well and have not been in any of the locations of interest. 
• We need to focus on priority testing for those who need it. 
• Free testing is available at: 
  • Taranaki Base Hospital, David Street, Westown and 
  • MediCross Urgent Care and GP Clinic, Egmont Street, New Plymouth. 
  • Waitara Health Centre, 26 Grey Street, Waitara
  • And in Ōpunakē and Hāwera.
• Find out more about local testing centre times and locations at the Taranaki DHB website.

Our facilities

• Alert Level 2 Covid 19 restrictions will apply at all NPDC facilities until midnight Wednesday.
• Puke Ariki Museum and i-Site are closed today and they are undergoing a deep clean.
• As a precautionary measure, staff on duty that day are being swabbed and are self-isolating.
• The Todd Energy Aquatic Centre and district pools will be closed to recreational swimming, open only to lane swimming with social distancing.
• We’re looking at how Level 2 with the 100 person limit will affect events at the TSB Stadium and TSB Showplace.

At Alert Level 2

• You can leave home but stay safe.
• Businesses are open with health precautions in place.
• Social distance: 2 metres in public and 1 metre in most other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms.
• Wear a face covering on public transport and aircraft.
• No more than 100 people at social gatherings, including weddings, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.

Top tips

Please remember to:

• stay home if sick with cold or flu-like symptoms and get advice on a test
• wash and dry hands
• cough and sneeze into elbows, and 
• scan everywhere you go.

 Update 9pm 14 February

• We know people may be concerned about this latest Covid-19 news.
• It’s important we stay calm and stick to the Covid rules.
• Remember our team of 5 million have got on top of outbreaks before.
• We know last weekend two of the new Auckland cases travelled to New Plymouth where they visited a number of tourist locations.
• At this time the cases may have been developing symptoms but would have been unaware of this.
• Exact locations in New Plymouth are: Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, Fitzroy, Pukekura Park, Puke Ariki Museum and library, Back Beach and Te Papakura o Taranaki (Egmont National Park).
• Along with two fast food outlets, Sumela Kebab and Pizza Hut New Plymouth, as well as Amber Court Motel and Cycle Inn, New Plymouth.
• “Casual Plus” contacts are being asked to stay home and get tested, as per Ministry guidelines (see below).
• In accordance with Taranaki District Health Board guidance, Puke Ariki staff who worked that day will be swabbed.
• We will continue to work with our local District Health Board, other regional authorities and Central Government to keep everyone safe.
• Please remember to stay at home if you are sick, wash your hands and scan/use the tracing app.
• For all the latest visit www.covid19.govt.nz