Under the Orange traffic light setting, public facilities are open. Face masks continue to be required in most public venues. Vaccine passes are no longer required for people accessing our services.

COVID-19 may temporarily affect some of our services due to staff shortages if our workers need to isolate. Keep an eye on our social media(external link), website(external link) and Newsline(external link) for updates about changes to opening hours, temporary closures or partial closures.

Vaccine Pass requirement update

From 5 April 2022, there is no requirement to use My Vaccine Pass to access our services. This includes Council pools and recreation centres, libraries, community facilities, service centres, campgrounds, Christchurch Art Gallery and Akaroa Museum.

Masks are still required indoors in all our facilities for anyone aged 12 years and over, except when eating, exercising or poolside. You do not need to wear a mask at an event, either indoors or outdoors. 

Our public facilities are open in Orange with no capacity limits. However, where possible, one-metre physical distancing from others should be maintained. 

Scanning is no longer mandatory, however, for those who would like to keep scanning, we will continue to display QR codes at locations near facility entrances.

Please stay home if you are unwell. The pandemic has been challenging for us all, please remember to treat our staff with respect.

Council facilities

COVID-19 may temporarily affect some of our services due to staff shortages if our workers need to isolate. Check below for updates about changes to opening hours, temporary closures or partial closures before you head to our facilities:

Please refer to Akaroa Museum opening hours(external link).

Please refer to: Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū opening hours(external link).

You must book and pay online for sites at:

There is a deposit box for casual campers at Pigeon Bay(external link). Annual site holders must use the online payment system.

We will include guidelines for keeping safe at our campgrounds in your booking confirmation. Hand sanitiser is available outside amenity blocks and disinfectant spray is available in shared spaces to wipe down surfaces.

If you have any questions, please contact the campground directly.

See the venues for hire page.(external link)

If you are attending a gathering or event at a Community facility, you do not need to wear a face mask, although it is encouraged. Workers and volunteers must wear masks. 

Council service centres and the Civic Office are open.

Please refer to: He Puna Taimoana opening hours.(external link)

Please refer to: Libraries closures, changes of hours or services.(external link)

All parks, cemeteries and the Botanic Gardens are open. 

Masks must be worn by anyone aged 12 years and over to enter the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre and Ilex Café. Masks are not required outside.

Our Recreation and Sports Centres are open. You are not required to wear a mask while exercising or in the pool. However, they are recommended when not exercising in the Fitness Centre, or as a spectator in the pool hall and the sports courts. Equipment will be cleaned between uses.

Check the status and opening hours before your visit:

Bookings

  • Classes and programmes: Bookings are essential and will be checked at reception. You can book up to seven days in advance and cancel any time via the email booking notification. Use the online booking process.(external link) Fitness Centres and pools do not require bookings.
  • Stadia and aquatic sport group bookings: Stadia and aquatics facility hire bookings for sports groups, indoor community sport and active recreation can operate as normal. Email rsubookings@ccc.govt.nz or phone 03 941 6446 for all booking enquiries.
  • Other programmes, lessons, or facility hire: Bookings are essential for example, for Swimsmart, pre-school gymnastics, sports groups, facility hire, the Southern Centre, and birthday parties. See the Council’s webpage(external link) and follow the usual booking process.

Memberships and concessions

  • There is no change to our membership and admission fees.
  • Freezing memberships – your membership can be put on hold for up to four weeks. Please visit one of our Recreation and Sport Centres or email recandsport@ccc.govt.nz- ensure you include your name and membership details.
  • Cancelling memberships - We understand if you choose to cancel your membership. Please visit one of our Recreation and Sport Centres or email recandsport@ccc.govt.nz- ensure you include your name and membership details.

Swim education, pools and aquatic services

  • Swimsmart lessons, Bubbletimes and Sleepytimes are running as usual. You can still leisure swim before and after lessons.
  • Free swimming for under-fives and Green Prescription Card swimming is still available during school hours, Monday to Friday, during school terms.
  • Check the lane availability to find the best time to visit the pool.
  • Mask use around the poolside is recommended when not using the pool.
  • Swim nappies can still be purchased.
  • Retail items can still be purchased, but please use hand sanitiser before picking up or trying on items.
  • Valuable items will be accepted at reception for safekeeping.
  • Class bookings are through our booking system(external link) and will be checked at reception.

Sports fields and Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub

Our sports fields and Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub are open.

Please refer to your Regional Sports Organisation for guidance on training and games.

Outdoor Community Sport:

  • Refer to the SportNZ website(external link) for advice.
  • Regional and National sporting bodies will be providing guidance for sporting activities.
  • Each sporting body will consider the Government’s advice, their governing agency and make decisions on their best option for delivering their sport within the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.
  • Canterbury Councils are working closely with the local sporting community and Sport Canterbury to enable as much physical activity to occur as possible within the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

Our approach to vaccination

Our top priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of our customers, our workforce and the communities we serve. Vaccinations play an important role in keeping everyone safe, especially in our workplaces, services and facilities.

To ensure we continue to manage any risks and can continue to provide our services as effectively as possible, we are regularly reviewing our approach. In March 2022, in consultation with our staff and elected members, we reviewed our Council Vaccination Policy and risk assessment in light of the changing levels of COVID-19 in the community and the recent adjustments to government policy. The public health advice we received suggested that while COVID-19 cases in Christchurch may have peaked, we’re still likely to see a significant number of cases in the coming weeks. 

We are going to retain our requirement for Council workers to be vaccinated for now. However, from 5 April 2022, Vaccine Passes are no longer required for visitors to access Council services. This is limited to the public areas of our facilities. To enter staff-only areas, evidence of vaccination is still required. 

Read more about how we informed our decision making: