People in Nelson now need to show vaccine passes to enter public libraries after the Covid-19 outbreak in the region.
Nelson City Council wants to keep facilities open, while protecting the health of staff and the public. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Vaccine passes were not previously required for people visiting public libraries in Nelson and Tahunanui, but that changed from 6 December.
Nelson City Council incident management team leader Alec Louverdis said it wanted to balance keeping facilities open, while protecting the health of staff and the public.
"We are mindful of having a safe environment, both for staff and visitors, and we have received feedback from many library users that they feel unsafe in places where they may come into contact with people who have chosen not to have the vaccine."
Library staff are working on a contactless click and collect service, so unvaccinated members can still borrow physical items without entering the library.
Louverdis said council would review the decisions around facilities and make changes, especially if the region moved into green or red under the Covid-19 Protection Framework or the traffic light system.
It is a different story in the Tasman District, where people do not need vaccine passes to access core services at its libraries in Richmond, Motueka, Tākaka and Murchison.
However, people over the age of 12 attending programmes, events and close contact services were required to show vaccine passes.
Physical distancing and masks are required in all public facilities.
Marlborough District Council is not intending to introduce My Vaccine Pass requirements to enter libraries, but said that decision could be reviewed at any time.
