Statement on pools and staged resumption of services

City of Newcastle will continue to focus on the health and safety of our community as we take a staged approach to the safe reopening of services and facilities this week in line with NSW Government Public Health Orders (PHOs).

The NSW Government's PHO came into effect on Monday 11 October after NSW reached the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target.

The PHO requires visitors attending public swimming pools to have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of vaccination is required as a condition of entry to all City of Newcastle pools, and all adults (aged 16 years and over) will need to show their COVID-19 certificate to pool staff to gain entry.

Several other City of Newcastle services have resumed. Blackbutt Reserve has reopened its wildlife boardwalk and shelters, while Newcastle Libraries has commenced a Reserve & Collect service where members can place reservations online and pick up from their preferred library branch.

Library return chutes reopened last week, and the Library 2U service is operating where members can borrow up to five items via home delivery or collection.

The City of Newcastle is taking a measured, safety-first approach to reopening our facilities, with most services to resume closer to or after NSW reaches the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, noting that vaccination rates in the Hunter are behind the state average.

Newcastle Museum will open its doors on Tuesday 19 October and will welcome visitors back to the Castanet Club exhibition which has been extended until 13 November.

Newcastle Visitor Information Centre will open on Monday 18 October, and planning has commenced to resume services at Newcastle Art Gallery on Tuesday 19 October.

Planning is underway for the resumption of Customer Service at the City Administration Centre on Monday 25 October, the same day Newcastle Library branches will start to reopen.

Civic Theatre will recommence performances as individual arrangements are made with promoters and artists.

COVID safe plans will be in place for all sites in accordance with the NSW Government's latest PHO to ensure we can adhere to the required safety measures, which include one person per four square metres, mandatory mask wearing, and proof of full vaccination upon entry. Visitors will also be required to check in to all venues using a QR code.

We will continue to monitor information as it is released by the NSW Government and appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as our staged reopening begins.

For the most up to date information on the resumption of our services, visit the changes to our services page.