The organiser or host of any indoor or outdoor events or social gatherings, which will have 10 or more people in attendance, must notify Te Marae Ora Health Ministry of their event prior to the event taking place.

In a statement last night, the ministry said the host will be required to have contact tracing facilities such as a CookSafe tag-in station or a manual register of attendees, which shows names and contact details.

Secretary of Health Bob Williams said: “We are social people. We value family and enjoy nothing more than getting together for a good laugh, fellowship and some kai, but for now we need to play it safe and re-think the way we interact and host social gatherings.”

The organiser or host of any indoor or outdoor event or social gathering, which will have over 100 people in attendance, must receive an exemption from the Secretary of Health prior to the event taking place.

All bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and cafes (including those within resorts) must have CookSafe tag-in station or a manual register of attendees, which shows names, contact details and the time patrons arrived.

Bars, nightclubs, cafes, and restaurants are restricted to 100 patrons at any one time.

The above requirements are in place as from today and under this Ministerial Order will remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday, August 23.

“We recognise that taking the recommended and necessary precautions to halt the spread of Covid-19 has invaded many aspects of our lives, but this is the cost of keeping our communities, our people, our families, safe. Best prepared is best protected,” said Williams.

The ministry said everyone should be practicing public health measures – hand hygiene, cough and sneeze into your elbow, physical distance – keep two metres apart or wear masks where that is not practical.

Anyone wanting to host an event which involves 10 or more guests, should contact: Maryann Pirake on email maryann.pirake@cookislands.gov.ck or Howard Tangimetua on email howard.tangimetua@cookislands.gov.ck or contact telephone number 29664 and speak to either Maryann or Howard.