CIVIL DEFENCE

MEDIA STATEMENT

Earthquake - September 5, 2010 Urgent Update 11.20pm

Civil Defence and Public Health: School Closures and Building Safety

All schools and preschools in Christchurch City, Selwyn District and the Kaiapoi area of Waimakariri District will remain closed until Wednesday morning at 9am. This is by order of the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller under section 85 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, and Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, and section 70 of the Health Act. Decisions to reopen schools and preschools will be reviewed on Tuesday.

As schools will be closed it is possible that some businesses will see increased foot traffic from school students and their families. This increases the need for property owners to ensure that their businesses are safe as a result of damage caused by the earthquake.

It is the responsibility of property owners, in the first instance, in any area affected by the earthquake to ensure that their property is safe for staff and the public.

The earlier notice that all public buildings are to be closed until an engineer's inspection is completed has been withdrawn as it is recognised that some businesses provide essential services and it is critical that property owners are able to make their properties safe, resume business as soon as possible and protect the safety of staff and the public.

Local authorities are prioritising and managing the official inspection of buildings. These inspections have resulted in an increasing number of buildings being deemed unsafe, including some that previously appeared safe. Property owners should contact their local authority if they have any questions in relation building safety.

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