In response to the Covid-19 Omicron outbreak, Kawerau District Council has decided to introduce vaccine pass requirements to its facilities and venues.

The decision was made at an extraordinary meeting of the council on Friday.

After considering a number of options the council resolved to mandate My Vaccine Pass for entry to all indoor staffed council venues for members of the public aged 12 and over.

Mayor Malcolm Campbell says it's important to protect staff who are relied on to keep the town running.

'If it gets away, within our organisation, the whole place could topple over. That's where our responsibilities lie right now.”

This includes the council office, Kawerau District Library and Sir James Fletcher Museum, Maurie Kjar Memorial Swimming Pool Complex and Kawerau i-Site and Visitor Information Centre. The mandate excludes outdoor facilities.

The council is now working through the best ways to implement this resolution. An implementation date will be determined once a plan has been finalised.

Kawerau District Council acknowledges that the best method of protection against the Covid-19 virus and any variants is vaccination.

The mandates have been introduced as a method to protect members of the community using the offices, services and facilities and also to protect council staff.

- Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air