Central Hawke's Bay Update: Drought and COVID-19 response
Kia Ora Central Hawke’s Bay
We’d like to give you an update on what we’re doing as a Council, to respond to the ongoing events currently taking place in our community and across the country and in the case of COVID-19 – the world.
Covid-19 and the Drought conditions are continuously evolving situations, requiring our whole community to stay focussed on following the advice from Government Agencies and establishing personal preparedness – like in any other Civil Defence event. While Councils focus immediately is on supporting the response efforts and the ongoing security of our infrastructure, we are also diligently turning our minds to preparing for any support our community may need for the future.
Central Hawke's Bay District Council has activated an emergency response team to support regional efforts, who are meeting regularly in preparation for a localised COVID-19 outbreak. This sits alongside the drought response work that we’re already part of that has been underway since late 2019. Council is closely following the guidance of the New Zealand Government Ministry of Health, Hawke's Bay District Health Board, Ministry of Primary Industries and Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management Group in response to recent events.
Some initiatives and things already underway include:
• Ensuring a robust business continuity plan is in place to safeguard the continuation of essential services to our community
• Heightened hygiene practices in our building and facilities
• Restrictions on staff travel
• Reduced non-essential face to face contact
• Postponing or cancelling internal staff gatherings
• Working with and supporting organisers of external events
While our facilities remain open and community planning and consultation sessions will proceed, however we are prepared to quickly respond and enact any required change as advised by the Ministry. We are also supporting agencies addressing the effects of drought in Central Hawke’s Bay.
Our Waipawa Council office, libraries and other facilities are open as usual, however we require anyone who is sick, in self-isolation or who has returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days to stay home to protect staff and the community. You can still access our services by phone 06 857 8060 for a 24 hour telephone service, or take advantage of our online payment services and application forms and 'Do It Online' at www.chbdc.govt.nz.
We want to reiterate messages shared nationally, regionally and locally, that this time is about personal preparedness and having a plan to ‘get ready, get thru’. Visit www.getthru.govt.nz for advice on how to make a plan for your whānau and www.covid19.govt.nz to stay up to date with the COVID-19 situation.
#togetherwethrive#inittogether#stopthespread#uniteagainstcovid19#chbdc
20 March 2020
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