The Waimate District Council has decided to not apply a vaccine mandate for the main pool in the town.
After reviewing the overall risk level at council facilities, advice from health professionals and acknowledging the current level of community transmission in South Canterbury, Waimate District Council chief executive Stuart Duncan announced on Friday the My Vaccine Pass restriction would not apply to the Norman Kirk Memorial Swimming Pool.
In reaching the decision, Mr Duncan and the council leadership team had deemed the present risk of transmission as low.
In a statement, the council said from January 17 next year, a My Vaccine Pass would only be required for the Local Government Centre (125 Queen St), Waimate District Library, Waimate Event Centre and the Waimate Dog Pound.
“It is important that we remain nimble with our decision-making, recognise our obligation to the community and balance this with my obligation as an employer and our obligation to protect the community, vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons,” Mr Duncan said.
The next review will take place in mid-January and any necessary changes would depend on the Government and further advice from health professionals.
From January 17, the pool will be subject to capacity limits based on 1m social distancing, and record-keeping for contact tracing purposes. Face masks are not required in the pool facility.
