Hamilton sees the (orange) light

Salmon hash, coffee and the return of the familiar helped mark Hamilton’s first day under the new Covid traffic light system.

Hamilton and much of Waikato woke yesterday morning to life under the orange setting. For those with vaccine passports – certified proof of their fully vaccinated status – it was a chance to gather, dine and connect.

At Hayes Common, a popular eatery in Hamilton East, co-owner Brent Quarrie and staff were kept busy hosting a strong turnout of late-morning diners.

Ensuring all customers had their vaccine passports scanned required staff to be focused ‘‘and on our toes’’, Quarrie said.

‘‘We’ve found our customers have been great and patient as we introduce this new system. To be honest, I don’t envisage anyone trying to sneak in without a passport. It will be more a case of people forgetting their phone or passport printout.’’

Quarrie said contactless takeaways are offered to those who don’t have a vaccine passport.

‘‘We feel strongly about protecting the community but we also don’t want to segregate people and that’s why we decided to offer the grab and go option.’’

For Hayes Common diners and close friends Catrin Wootton and Olivia Letchford-Cross, the shift to the orange setting brings with it a ‘‘layer of certainty’’.

‘‘I’m not against people who choose not to be vaccinated but it is reassuring knowing that everyone around you [in a cafe´ ] is fully vaccinated,’’ Wootton said.

Letchford-Cross said having to carry a vaccine passport is a minor inconvenience – as is wearing a mask – but it’s part of the new reality of life during a pandemic.

Vanessa Williams, general manager of the Hamilton Central Business Association, said the traffic light system will require time to bed in. A test of the new Covid-19 management system will come this weekend when businesses experience an influx of shoppers and diners.

‘‘Another test of the system will be when bars and nightclubs come to use it in the evening. They will obviously have people at the doors checking, so they will have an advantage in that respect.’’

At The River Kitchen, in central Hamilton, customer Bryan Hoffman enjoyed a long black coffee as he waited for his salmon hash. Hoffman said it was reassuring to dine in a space where everyone was double vaccinated.

‘‘I expect quite a few people have waited until today to eat out, just because they want to feel safe.’’

Maria Senear, owner of The River Kitchen, said she only had one would-be patron who declined to scan in and left.

Blair Paterson, co-owner of Homebrew Coffee in Hamilton and Cambridge, was a bit apprehensive about the vaccine passport system, given his businesses rely on a ‘‘large customer volume model’’ but day one had gone well.

For those who aren’t vaccinated, Paterson said they can ask a friend to come in and order on their behalf.

‘‘Because we’ve been operating under level 2, we felt quite prepared for the traffic light system. Covid has now been with us for two years, so it’s really just part of our common dialect.’’

Those who need support setting up their vaccine passport can get help at Hamilton City Council facilities across the city. The support runs on weekdays for two weeks and can be accessed at the city’s six public libraries, Waterworld, Waikato Museum, Hamilton Gardens and the Gallagher Aquatic Centre.

People can also get a vaccine passport printed out at pharmacies.

People aged over 12 will require a vaccine passport for entry to most council facilities from December 14.