8 Jun 2020

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The move to Alert Level 1 will signal a return to business as usual at Christchurch City Council’s public facilities.

However, contact tracing measures and rigorous cleaning protocols will remain in place.

“Under Level 1 there are no requirements for physical distancing in public places so that means all our facilities will be able to resume operating largely as they were before the COVID crisis,’’ says the Council’s Incident Management Team lead Mary Richardson.

“We are looking forward to seeing our libraries, pools, fitness centres and community centres humming with people again.''

When the country moves to Alert Level 1:

  • Our recreation and sport centres will be fully operational, including the spas, saunas and steam rooms. Capacity numbers have been lifted so people can enjoy our pools with friends and family. Following positive customer feedback, the booking system for group fitness will continue, including spin and aquafit classes. SwimSmart, Bubbletimes, Sleepytimes and adult swim lessons will resume from 6 July.
  • Our libraries will progressively reopen programmes and activities and Imagination Station at Tūranga will open again.
  • There will be no physical distancing requirements at parks and sports fields will operate as usual.
  • Dogs will no longer have to be on leads in parks although they must still be under effective control.
  • People out walking their dogs are still encouraged to take any dog poo home with them for disposal in the red wheelie bin, but they can use the public rubbish bins if needed.
  • Public transport will run to regular timetables and there will no physical distancing requirements. Fares will have to be paid from Monday 15 June.
  • The unchlorinated water fill stations at the Keyes (New Brighton) and Burnside pump stations will reopen.
  • All our community centres will be open. It will be hirers’ responsibility to ensure everyone attending events in the community centres adhere to Level 1 requirements, including maintaining good hygiene practices such as washing down all surfaces before, and after, use.

Events

With restrictions lifting on gathering numbers under Alert Level 1, the Council’s Events team is looking at upcoming events and exploring options to create a new events landscape for 2020. They will continue to provide advice and support to the local events industry on operating safely, with a focus on contact tracing processes.

More information will be released soon on events planned for the coming months.

Animal management services

The Council’s animal management services will return to normal from Wednesday 10 June. These include complaint investigations, property inspections, school education programmes and reopening the dog shelter to the public.

The free dog microchipping service will resume 11am to noon every Wednesday from 17 June.

Please contact us on 03 941 8999 if you’ve lost your dog or to report animal management issues.