Auckland's libraries, pools and recreational centres, as well as the Maritime Museum and Art Gallery, will close for two
weeks from today in line with Government recommendations to constrain the spread of COVID-19.
Making the announcement today, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the decision was made with regret, but it was both
important and necessary.
“Our main concern right now is to protect people’s health and wellbeing and we are doing this by limiting large crowd
interactions where the chance of virus spread is high,” he said.
“Our 55 libraries across Auckland receive over 250,000 visits a week, while there are 200,000 visits a week to our
swimming pools and leisure centres.
“The services we are closing are highly used and much loved by our communities, but these are not services which have to
be maintained to provide the necessities of life.
“I want people to know that this wasn’t an easy decision. However, we get far too many people through the door at these
facilities to be able to run them safely in light of the current situation.
“The closure will be for a period of two weeks initially, extended as required depending on the evolving situation with
COVID-19 and the advice of Government. The facilities will be closed to the public from later today.
“Our actions follow the recommendations from the Government around the need to keep public gatherings, wherever
possible, below 100 people indoors.
“Maintaining social distancing in a library situation is difficult and I am conscious that many library users are older
people more vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19.
“Over the coming fortnight, we will consider what other creative options may be available to enable some services to be
reinstated,” Phil Goff said.
“This is a great opportunity for people to sign up for our e-lending services like audiobooks, video streaming services
and learning databases like Lynda.com.
“There will be no fines on overdue library items while the closures are in place.
Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee Chair Councillor Alf Filipaina said, “We need to ensure that we limit the
spread of COVID-19 as far as possible.
“This will help ensure our people and our communities stay safe. It is about the community.”
Councillor Cathy Casey says, “To close our much loved and well used facilities is a major step for Auckland Council. Our
priority must be to follow Ministry of Health guidance and keep Aucklanders safe.”
Other bodies funded by council that run independently under their own legislation like the Museum will make
announcements around how they will comply with new requirements.
“We will work with staff affected by these changes over the coming days to look at opportunities for redeployment across
our network of services.
“These decisions will not affect the employment of permanent staff, full or part time. Where staff time is freed up, we
will look at how they may be able to assist in other areas such as support for District Health Boards, where pressures
may grow if the impact of COVID-19 worsens,” Phil Goff said.
The council is also reviewing its wider network of community facilities, including community centres, community art
galleries and venues for hire, to ensure that from Monday 23 March these facilities only support classes, activities,
programmes and events that allow for social distancing within government guidelines.
The council will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and regularly review its position. For the latest
information regarding cancellations and closures, visit ourauckland.nz.
For the most up-to-date government response information please go to covid19.govt.nzNotes for editors:
RFA’s theatres and conventions spaces will also be closed. This includes:The CivicThe Herald Theatre and the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatres in Aotea CentreAuckland Town HallThe Bruce Mason CentreShed 10 and The Cloud.
While the government directive on indoor gatherings covers the next two weeks, these buildings will stay closed until
the Ministry of Health advises it is safe to reopen.Still open
Recognising how important it is for Auckland families to have safe places to visit and connect, Auckland Zoo remains
open as an open-air venue, as we can meet the Ministry of Health’s requirement of a maximum of 500 people.
Mitigation measures:The Zoo has increased the frequency of our cleaning regime across all staff and public areasGroup activities, such as daily animal keeper talks, are on holdIndoor spaces where social distancing is difficult to achieve are closedSeating in open cafés has been set up for social distancing and professionally sanitised utensils, cutlery and vessels
are used (no reusable cups).
More detail here: https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/covid-19-response)
RFA’s Mt Smart, Western Springs and North Harbour stadiums remain open for outdoor activities that comply with Ministry
of Health recommendations.
At Aotea Centre, the Box Café and the foyer area will remain stay open for community activities, with safe social
distancing in place.
Venues funded by Auckland Council but operating independently:Effective today, MOTAT will close.Auckland War Memorial Museum stays open.
The closures do not include the early childhood education centres and out of school care (OSCAR) programmes.
Council will continue to follow Ministry of Education guidance when it comes to educational facilities.
This will not affect water collection services currently provided to drought-affected areas.