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COVID-19 Information

New Zealand moves to the new Covid-19 Protection Framework on 3 December. Wellington will be at Orange. This page will be updated regularly as we have more information.

Our Facilities

From 3 December Hutt City Council public facilities (libraries, pools, gyms, community hubs, museums, theatres, and cafes) will operate under the traffic light system.

Our priority is to keep our staff and communities safe. This means if you want to visit one of the facilities listed above, you will need to produce your My Vaccine Pass to gain entry. Those under the age of 12 will not be required to present a pass, as this age group is not currently eligible for vaccination.

A copy of our risk assessment that has informed this decision can be viewed here.

For information on your My Vaccine Pass please see the COVID-19 website. If you need support accessing or downloading your My Vaccine Pass, staff at our facilities are happy to assist you.

We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to keeping our facilities open.

Confirmed openings for the weekend

Libraries and Hubs opening at 10am Friday/Saturday/Sunday (if they open normally) to allow for staff training
Museums, normally open from 10 anyway
Pools, opening as normal
Walter Nash Centre (excluding Library) opening as normal

Key things to remember at Orange:

Everyone can work and go to school
Take your face covering wherever you go – These are mandatory in most public spaces and encouraged everywhere else
Keep scanning QR codes and record keeping everywhere you go
Make sure you have your My Vaccine Pass ready to be checked - most places will have restrictions in place
Keep physically distanced where possible
If you have cold or flu symptoms isolate immediately and call Healthline for advice about a test
Get vaccinated if you aren’t already. Being fully vaccinated opens up new freedoms under the new framework.

Getting Vaccinated

Vaccination is another way to protect yourself from severe illness of COVID.

For details on local vaccination centres and hours view the COVID-19 Vaccination in the Hutt and book a vaccine

The latest information can be found on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.

If you are unwell or are a contact of a COVID-19 case then you must stay home, and if required self-isolate for the recommended period. Do not immediately attend a vaccination centre and contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 who will be able to advise you on if testing is required.

If you have any questions about Council facilities or services call us on 04 570 6666.

Getting Tested (Lower Hutt)

In the Hutt Valley, call (04) 576 8619 between 9am and 4pm on weekdays to book your test.

Please visit the Hutt Valley DHB website for a full list of testing locations and hours.

If you're not sure if you need a test or want further advice call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

Getting Help

It’s OK to ask for help. As we work through this together, there are people and agencies able to support you. There’s a range of advice, help, or support if you need it like the ones below.

Youthline provides support for young people - Call 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz

If you are elderly, then call Age Concern on 0800 65 2105 to get advice.

Whānau Ora helps whānau access health and welfare services, call them on 0800 929 282.

If you're feeling down, anxious, a bit overwhelmed or just need to chat to someone call 1737.

Food Support

If you need food, there's a Hutt Valley Emergency Kai Collective place near you that can help. View the foodbank support page for more details.

You can also get financial assistance for food, accommodation, power through Work and Income by calling 0800 559 009 or online at MyMSD

Business support

For Covid-19 business enquiries please contact:

Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce website https://hvchamber.org.nz/
Hutt Valley Covid-19 Business Support Facebook Group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/huttvalleybusinesssupport/

Rates help

If you're struggling to pay your rates, you can find more information here on payment plans and postponements.
Government support initiatives like the accommodation supplement are being shared with ratepayers so they can apply for financial help. This is a particular focus of our rates team.
We won't apply any penalties to your account if you make a payment plan with us.
We recommend paying your rates online where possible.

Other things we're doing

Regular cleaning and decontaminating of all facilities, with a focus on increased cleaning for high touch surfaces
Using online payment services wherever possible and avoiding cash transactions.