While Whakatāne District Council has announced vaccine passes will be required to enter some of its facilities, no such mandate has been issued by Kawerau or Ōpōtiki district councils – yet.
Following a risk and assurance committee meeting on Thursday, the Whakatāne council held an emergency meeting at which the Covid-19 Protection Framework, better known as the "traffic light system" was discussed at length and a decision was made to require vaccine passes to council facilities, with the exception of outdoor areas and public toilets.
Kawerau District Council announced yesterday that it would not require vaccine passes but has not ruled it out in the future.
Kawerau mayor Malcolm Campbell said, "Our priority is to protect the health and safety of staff and those who use council services."