The rapid rise in COVID-19 cases is affecting the operation of some Ashburton District Council public facilities and operating hours may change at short notice because of staff absenteeism.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach said all essential services were being provided as normal, but operating hours at some facilities could temporarily change because staff had tested positive for covid and/or were isolating as household contacts.

“EA Networks Centre has staffing issues so for example, the pool will open at 8.30am on Thursday and 9am on Friday this week, but we hope to be back to normal operating hours by Saturday. We apologise for any inconvenience as we work our way through COVID spread in our region.”

Council has created an information page on its website to notify residents of changes at facilities.

Mr Riach said Council was ensuring that essential services continued. These included refuse collection, drinking water and wastewater, cemeteries, and public toilets.

Council officers are also working a mixture of working remotely and in the workplace and could temporarily perform the work of absent colleagues as required.

“Council put its COVID-19 policy in place in December and we have been planning for positive cases as covid makes its way to communities. Now it has now arrived at our doors.

“We will continue to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines and do everything we can to keep our staff, customers, and community as safe as possible.

“This includes ensuring we have the ability to respond to an emergency management event, such as a flood, should the need arise.”

Check here for the latest information on changes in opening hours or closures.