COVID-19 important information
http://www.gw.govt.nz/covid-19-important-information
COVID-19 important information
Updated 14 May, 11.43am
Greater Wellington Regional Council would like to assure customers that we are closely monitoring the situation and will be following the advice of Ministry of Health on COVID-19. Below is some important information for the Greater Wellington team and you our customers.
Public transport is now free until June. It will continue to be available for essential service workers, and to enable communities to access supermarkets, pharmacies and health facilities only.
Physical distancing measures are in place for all passengers and staff. Please respect these measures as they will help stop the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19: Public transport updates for alert level 2
Due to Covid-19 physical distancing restrictions, Metlink services will continue to have limited capacity under alert level 2.
Read the rail service update >
Read the ferry service update >
Read the school bus service update >
COVID-19: Metlink details physical distancing and capacity for alert level 2
With alert level 2 imminent, Metlink has announced updated plans for physical distancing and the impact on capacity across the region’s network.
COVID-19: Study suggests Wellington regional economy may avoid worst of downturn
A high-level discussion document on the most likely impacts of COVID-19 suggests that Wellington may be in a better position to ride out the coming economic downturn and could emerge in better shape than some other regions.
COVID-19: Wairarapa train services to resume
Wairarapa Train services will return to their regular timetable from Monday, May 4 in line with the return to normal timetables for all Metlink rail services.
COVID-19: School bus services supported at alert level 3
Since the Prime Minister's announcement of shifting to alert level 3 at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April, we are updating you on what this could look like for your Metlink school transport.
COVID-19: Return to full timetables on trains and buses under level 3
Following the Government’s announcement of alert level 3, Metlink has revealed its plans to return to full regular timetables on buses starting on Sunday 26 April and trains on Monday 4 May.
COVID-19: Total Mobility transport subsidy until 30 June
As part of the national response to COVID-19, The NZ Transport Agency will implement a fare-reduction for Total Mobility customers from Tuesday, 14 April 2020.
Regional response to COVID-19 essential to economic recovery and resilience
Chair of Wellington’s Mayoral Forum and Upper Hutt City Council Mayor Wayne Guppy says the region’s Councils are pulling together to respond to the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 and developing a coordinated response to the government’s infrastructure investment strategy.
COVID-19: Metlink adds Masterton Town bus services during COVID-19 lockdown
Metlink is operating Masterton Town bus services on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for essential workers and to enable the community to access essential services.
COVID-19: Refund your April, May and June monthly rail pass online
Due to the changes in travel and fares because of COVID-19, we are refunding customers who have purchased monthly rail passes for April, May and June 2020 only.
COVID-19: Additional Metlink Services, cleaning and physical distancing measures
In response to COVID-19 alert level 4, Metlink is adding more bus services, introducing germ shield fogging and rolling out physical distancing markers on all buses and trains.
COVID-19: Regional Parks
At alert level 4, to limit exposure of COVID-19 to our staff and visitors at our parks we have closed:
- Gates to vehicles
- Park ranger offices
- Park facilities, such as toilets
COVID-19: Public Transport free until June
As part of the national response to COVID-19 alert level 4 Metlink will make all rail and bus services free until June.
COVID 19: From Tuesday 24 March - weekend services start to roll out on all public transport modes
In response to the Prime Minister’s address today on raised COVID-19 levels, Metlink will be moving to weekend services across all public transport modes.
COVID-19: Metlink Public Transport update on drivers aged 70+
Metlink General Manager Scott Gallacher says, in accordance with Central Government advice, for the health and safety of staff and passengers, all Metlink bus drivers aged 70+ will not be part of operating our transport network at this time.
COVID-19: Greater Wellington closes offices
In line with advice from the Wellington Region Emergency Management Group (WREMO) and the Ministry of Health, Greater Wellington Regional Council is closing its offices to the public and encouraging all office based staff to work from home.
COVID-19: Metlink removes cash sales from buses, trains, ferries, and stations
To stay one step ahead of COVID-19 and give our passengers and staff more peace of mind, Metlink will be removing all cash sales from trains, buses, ferries and stations as of Monday, March 23. Discounted monthly train passes will be available for purchase from 23 March 2020.
COVID-19: Metlink rolls out precautionary cleaning measures across rail, bus and ferry
Metlink is rolling out new precautionary cleaning measures across rail, bus, and ferry today to give passengers further peace of mind as they travel across the region.
How do I protect myself and others from COVID-19?
Basic hygiene measures are the most important way to stop the spread of infections, including the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Basic hygiene measures include:
- Hand hygiene – that is, washing hands regularly with soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser
- Staying at home if you are sick
- Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and then performing hand hygiene
- Cleaning surfaces regularly
People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice good cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues, and wash hands).
For updates about COVID-19 click on the following links:
- COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) update
- COVID-19 information in Easy Read format
- COVID-19 - Advice for public events and mass gatherings
Should you have further concerns we advise contacting the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453 or keep up to date on the latest information by visting the Ministry of Health website .
