This weekend's Festive Fete in Cromwell will be one of the first events in New Zealand where organisers are required to check vaccination certificates.

The new Covid-19 traffic light system comes into effect this Friday (December 3), a day ahead of the fete, which combines music, food and artisan stalls for a day out at the Cromwell racecourse.

Under the ‘orange’ setting there is no restriction on the number of attendees who can go to events but organisers must meet a series of requirements.

Fete organiser Anthea Lawrence says a range of steps have been taken to keep exhibitors and attendees safe at the event, which is expected to draw a large crowd.

“….everyone who enters the event will need to be double vaccinated,” Anthea said.

“We also have a new layout for the event. Because we needed to make more space between stalls to meet the Covid requirements I decided to actually go all in and finally use a really pretty part of the racecourse area that I have been wanting to incorporate for years.” 

Regular attendees will also notice other changes including a new entrance and separate exit, designed to ensure safe separation for attendees.

The new traffic light system replaces the alert level system to provide more flexibility for businesses as New Zealand manages Covid-19 in the community.

Yesterday the government announced that the South Island would enter the Orange setting.

Anthea said she was looking forward to the fete, which supported small businesses from Cromwell and further afield.

“I know that the good people of Central Otago and Central Lakes will be patient with the staff on the gate who will be under a bit more pressure with having to scan vaccine passes,” Anthea said.

“We are really looking forward to being able to have the event and to support all the wonderful stallholders.”

The Festive Fete will take place on Saturday (December 4) at the Cromwell Racecourse. Vaccine certificates are required and can be found here. Masks are encouraged.

PHOTO: Supplied