Alert Level 2 is not life as normal. You can still go to work and school, but you should:

• keep your distance from other people in public
• wash your hands
• sneeze and cough into your elbow
• keep a track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen
• wear a mask if you can and at all times on public transport.
• Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home.

The government is continuing to:

• keep tight controls in place at our borders

test for COVID-19

• find and self-isolate anyone who is unwell, as well as their close contacts.

Self-isolation, quarantine and testing

At Alert Level 2, people who are a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19, or who are a close contact of a case, should self-isolate for 14 days, or until cleared by a doctor.

People arriving from overseas will continue to be placed in managed isolation for 14 days, or quarantine if they are showing symptoms.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested — contact your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

More national level information is at covid19.govt.nz

As a provider of many of the services that you rely on every day, it’s important that Timaru District Council takes the current pandemic risk seriously so we can all get through.

We have activated our pandemic management group, to coordinate planning across the organisation and ensure that we can do everything possible to minimise the impact of this issue and maintain the resources available to keep essential services going.

You can get updates on the status of all our services on the pandemic hub, and read our pandemic plan for yourself in the Related Information Box on the right.

While we are working to ensure that we keep things going, you can also play your part in helping prevent the spread of Covid-19 throughout the community by following the Ministry of Health Guidelines.

Drinking water and wastewater

Services will continue as normal.

Kerbside collection

• 3-Bin Service fully operational with recycling and organic materials diverted from landfill.
• Please sort your rubbish, recycling and organics as normal, contaminated bins will not be collected.
• Please ensure your bin isn’t blocked by cars and is well spaced to allow for efficient collection.

Redruth and Transfer Stations

Full information is available in our Waste Minimisation section.

• All Transfer stations now open, please check link above for times.
• Please use your closest Transfer Station.
• Physical distancing rules will apply.
• Covid 19 tracing recording of car registrations at gate.

Roading

Services as normal.

Airport

There are no changes to the Air New Zealand schedule from Timaru Airport. Contact Air New Zealand for confirmation at all times.

• Physical distancing rules will be in place
• Passengers only in the terminal building at Level 2.
• Please scan the QR code for contact tracing.

Caroline Bay Trust Aoraki Centre (CBay)

• The Chillax area, hydroslides, children’s play area and toddlers pool are closed.
• Limit of 100 persons in gym or pool/cafe areas at one time.
• Physical distancing applies.
• You'll need to sign-in for our records.
• Please scan the QR code for your contact tracing.

Heritage Facilities

South Canterbury Museum and Aigantighe Art Gallery are open as normal, physical distancing and a limit of 100 people applies at any one time. You'll need to sign-in for our records. Please scan the QR code on entry for contact tracing purposes.

Libraries

Capacity limits will apply at all Libraries:

Timaru Adults': 50 people
Timaru Children's: 20 people 
Geraldine and Temuka: 20 people

To enable more people to visit, please keep browsing time to a maximum of 15 minutes.

You'll need to sign-in for our records. Please scan the QR code on entry for contact tracing purposes.

Parks

Parks, Playgrounds, Dog Park, and all Walkways except the extension to the Dashing Rocks walkway at Smithfield are open.

Building Control

• Building unit can undertake its full range of duties.
• All applications are to remain digital, contact us if you need help with this.
• Land Information Memorandum (LIM) can be processed.
• All inspections are back to normal with the use of the remote option.

Please submit all applications via the portal. All other supplementary forms are on the TDC website (editable PDF) and you can attach them to your application.

The Temuka and Geraldine service centres will not be accepting building consent applications or any consent documentation over the counter. Any forms or notifications can be emailed to building@timdc.govt.nz.

Inspections are back to normal. All inspections are to be booked in the same way, by calling customer services on 03 687 7200. Inspections can be performed either in person (as normal) or virtually (via an inspection app). You may be contacted by the inspector and asked to perform a virtual inspection. This is a very simple process and only requires a responsible person with a smart phone to be on site.

Planning

The planning unit is fully operational.

Animal Control

Animal Control Services are operating as normal.

Dogs

• Dogs must be on lead in all public places except for marked dog exercise areas.
• Please be aware of social distancing and ensure your dog is kept under control and away from on leash dogs.
• Please pick up your dog poo, we will issue an infringement to anyone caught leaving it behind.

Abandoned vehicles

Abandoned vehicles will be dealt with normally, please contact us via enquiry@timdc.govt.nz our fix it form.

Parking Control

Parking time limits and metred parking as normal. Free parking available at Library car park during renovations.

Food safety, Liquor Licencing

Services Operating as normal.

All services are subject to change with no notice if COVID Alert Level changes.

• Meetings in Level 2 may continue in person and remotely.
• Times and venues for meetings may alter at short notice.
• Agendas and minutes will be available from the Council website at https://www.timaru.govt.nz/council/council-and-committee-meetings.

• Timaru Customer Services, Temuka and Geraldine Service Centres are open as normal.
• Please scan the QR Code on entry to enable contact tracing.
• Most transactions are able to be completed remotely via phone or web site.
• There are a variety of payment options available for customers.  Please give us a call to discuss these.
• Customer services is available 24/7 on 03 687 7200

A key part of avoiding any interruptions to our services is ensuring our staff stay healthy and able to work. You can help with this by accessing our services online at timaru.govt.nz or over the phone 03 687 7200:

• Rates payments can be done through your bank account, via direct debit or by card via our website (transaction fee applies).
• Requests for service, animal control requests, noise complaints can be done on the phone, via the fix it form or using the snap, send, solve app.
• You can pay your parking tickets and re-register your dog online.
• All our building forms are available to download and print on the website.
• Many day-to-day queries can be handled over the phone or via email to enquiry@timdc.govt.nz
• Updates are also available via Facebook at facebook.com/timarudc
• We’re available 24/7 on 03 687 7200 or at www.timaru.govt.nz

Here are some ways we can support our local businesses:

• With all your purchases ask yourself, am I supporting local?
• Have a look at what goods and services you spend money on and see if there is a local supplier
• Learn about local businesses, seek them out, discover what they have to offer
• Give local businesses your voice, recommend them to friends and family, share their website or leave them a review

You can find a list of our local businesses on Aoraki Developments 'Buy Local' website.

If you find yourself isolated for two weeks, Timaru District Libraries has a wealth of online entertainment for you, all you need is a computer or tablet, your library card number and a pin.

• You can access thousands of books and audiobooks via BorrowBox, Wheelers and Overdrive.
• You can stream 10 movies a month from our selection of award-winning independent, international and classic films on Kanopy.
• You can also access thousands of newspapers and magazines from PressReader.
• If you have physical books you can renew them online, we’ve also increased our lending period to six weeks.

Don’t have a membership? You can now even join online at https://library.timaru.govt.nz/home

If you need advice getting set up, give the library a ring on 03 687 7202

Symptoms:

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• a cough
• a high temperature (at least 38°C)
• shortness of breath.
• sore throat
• sneezing and runny nose
• temporary loss of smell

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.

MoH doesn’t yet know how long symptoms take to show after a person has been infected, but current World Health Organization assessments suggest that it is 2–10 days.

If you have these symptoms and have recently been to a country or area of concern, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19, please telephone Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor immediately.

Prevention – how to protect yourself and others

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues.
• Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food with sick people.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you have any symptoms and have been to any countries or territories of concern or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19.