6 September 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: COVID-19 Alert Level announcement
Enquiry
This is just a friendly heads up that I'll be seeking some reaction comment from the mayor after today's levels announcement at 4pm.
Is it possible to arrange a response from Steve to be emailed through as soon as possible after the announcement on whether we'll stay at alert level 3 or move to level 2, and what impact she believes that will have on Rotorua, etc?
Response
From Mayor Chadwick:
We’ve all been waiting patiently to move to Level 2 and with bubble fatigue starting to set in today’s announcement will be welcomed by all.
Businesses can re-open – albeit with additional requirements around mask-wearing, mandatory signing in and for some, new distancing rules.
Small businesses have been grateful additional financial help during this Level 4 and 3 period, and I’ve been impressed with tourism and hospitality operators’ acceptance of the need to play it safe, even though they’ve taken another big hit and are doing it tough.
Everyone will now be keen to get on with business again and we also look forward to being able to welcome visitors again although we continue to miss our Auckland visitors who make up the biggest chunk of our domestic market.
I’ve been proud of how Rotorua has coped and responded to date. We will make the best of whatever the situation and I urge everyone to keep playing their part – follow the rules around wearing of masks, two-metre social distancing and use of the contact tracer app and if you haven’t already, get immunised.