People are being reminded to remain vigilant following the Prime Minister's announcement, the country will move to Alert Level 1 from midnight on Monday, June 8.

Rotorua Lakes Council's, Civil Defence Emergency Management Controller, Bruce Horne says, though New Zealand is now in Level 1, "we need to remain vigilant and resist complacency".

'New Zealand has all but eliminated the virus. COVID-19 is clearly still a serious health problem around the world and a vaccine has yet to be developed. So our challenge now is to resist complacency. As the Prime Minister stressed - elimination will require a sustained effort.”

Horne says that although nearly all of the restrictions have now been lifted, people should continue to reduce the risk of COVID-19 by:

1. Keeping track of where you've been and who you've seen. This is critical information for effective contact tracing. The NZ COVID Tracer app is an easy way of doing this.
2. Regularly wash your hands and disinfect hard surfaces.
3. If you are feeling unwell – stay at home.

'We are also strongly encouraging businesses to create their unique NZ COVID Tracer QR code, to print it in colour and display it in a prominent place for customers, staff and suppliers to scan as they enter the premises.

"People who have downloaded the app are able to register their contact details and keep a digital diary of where they have been. Being able to quickly contact trace people who may have been infected is one of the critical strategies for helping keep the virus under control,” says Mr Horne.

More information about the app and how to generate a QR code is available HERE.

Council's advisors will again be active in supporting local businesses to understand how they can continue to keep themselves, their staff and their customers safe from COVID-19.

In Alert Level 1, businesses are no longer required need to record the contact details of people entering their premises.

However, businesses are required to keep the registers they kept during Levels 3 and 4 for two months – just in case they are needed to support the contract tracing process if another outbreak occurs.

In Alert Level 1, Council operations and services will largely return to how they were pre-COVID. Customers are still encouraged to access council services online as much as possible and phone or email the Customer Centre with enquiries (07 348 4199 or info@rotorualc.nz).

Visit covid19.govt.nz/alert-system for more information about Alert Level 1.