15 March 2020

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Impact of Covid-19 on Rotorua

Enquiry

Reporter working on story re latest developments regarding Covid-19 sought comment from Mayor Steve Chadwick regarding how Rotorua might be impacted and her advice/message for the community

NOTE: This follows the Government announcing further steps that are being taken to protect NZ borders including requiring all people arriving in NZ from overseas to self-isolate for 14 days (see more HERE)

Response

From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:

This has moved very swiftly with our Government responding as things unfold and we're all having to make changes. I'm looking at my own public engagements across the next two weeks, having returned from Australia during the weekend, earlier than initially planned.

Like all organisations the council will need to review its outward facing activities. Everyone should take a responsible view of what they may need to change and manage in their lives and in their work places.

People's health remains the number one priority and I would urge everyone to keep following the advice of our Ministry of Health. We need to be guided by the experts and follow their advice.

There's a lot of good, accessible information on the Ministry's website and Council will also share information relating to Covid-19 on its channels.

I would also encourage people to follow the Government's urgings on Saturday to not travel unless it's absolutely essential.

We still can't be certain of the extent of the impact of this locally or nationally at this stage - this is still an evolving situation. From an economic point of view we are already being impacted. Council CCO Rotorua Economic Development continues to work with our local sectors and ensure that Rotorua is able to benefit from any assistance packages and I understand there will be more about that from the Government in the coming days.

We need calm and common sense to prevail here and we need to keep listening to the experts.

Most importantly, we need to look after each other and look out for one another.