Pools, libraries, museum close
Libraries, pools and recreation centres have closed throughout Canterbury as councils move to limit the spread of coronavirus.
And fewer buses will be running in Christchurch from today due to fewer drivers being available.
Environment Canterbury public transport senior manager Stewart Gibbon said some drivers were unable to work now because of risk factors associated with their age or health.
‘‘We have introduced additional measures on buses to protect drivers and passengers, including closing off the front row of seats on all buses in order to maintain space between drivers and passengers for prolonged periods, and requesting people use the rear door to disembark.’’
He recommended people consider alternative transport options if they needed to be somewhere at a set time.
‘‘We are asking people to please be patient and bear with us while we work through the implications of this. We will continue to provide regular updates as this situation evolves.’’
The Christchurch City Council announced on Saturday it was closing down all its community facilities from 4pm that day.
That includes all libraries, sport and recreation centres, pools, community centres, service centres, the Christchurch Art Gallery and the visitor centres in the Botanic Gardens.
The Waimakariri and Selwyn district councils announced similar moves yesterday.
Canterbury Museum and Quake City – the museum’s special exhibition telling stories of the Canterbury earthquakes – have also closed to visitors until further notice.
Mary Richardson, who is leading the Christchurch City Council’s Covid-19 incident management team, said there was no sign of community transmission in Christchurch but other towns and cities were starting to see more cases so the council wanted to limit the spread of the virus by closing facilities where people gathered.
‘‘We have been in daily contact with the medical officer of health about how we can support efforts to fight Covid-19.
‘‘The initial advice was that we should keep our facilities open as long as possible because they help create a sense of normalcy in people’s lives.
‘‘This is not a decision we have taken lightly but it is a sensible precaution to take in this fastevolving pandemic.’’
As of yesterday, Canterbury had three confirmed cases of coronavirus and all related to international travel.
When asked what the effect of the closures would be on staff, a council spokeswoman said the council was working through those issues.
Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton said the closures in his district included all libraries and service centres in Darfield, Leeston, Lincoln and Rolleston, the Selwyn Aquatic Centre, Lincoln Event Centre and all council-owned community centres. The closure were effective from today.
‘‘We understand that this is a significant disruption for our communities but it is important that we take all possible steps to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
‘‘While there is no indication of community transmission emerging at this stage, closing these facilities will help reduce any risk of the virus spreading through our community, and gives us the best chance of keeping our communities safe.’’
Campgrounds, parks and playgrounds would remain open at this stage.
In Waimakariri, all council facilities and buildings including service centres, libraries and pools, will close from today.
Essential services remain in operation including services such as roading, water, sewerage and stormwater, and refuse collection.
Closures of public facilities in Queenstown Lakes district have also been announced.
‘‘We are asking people to please be patient and bear with us while we work through the implications of this.’’ Stewart Gibbon Environment Canterbury public transport senior manager