Covid-19 vaccine passes are still required for access into key Dunedin City Council buildings and facilities, but the policy is under review.
The sweeping policy applies to elected representatives, staff, contractors and the public and for facilities that range from swimming pools and libraries to the Civic Centre.
The city council would not confirm this week if anybody has had their job terminated as a result of the mandate.
"We are continuing to work through a process with a small number of unvaccinated staff, and alternative working arrangements remain in place for them," a spokesman said.
That followed a statement on January 26, when the council said it was "still working through a process with our staff".
A three-month vaccination policy was approved on December 1 last year.
"Our Covid-19 vaccination policy is being reviewed, but remains in place for now," the spokesman said this week.
The council did not say when its review would be completed.
Covid-19 has spread through New Zealand since December, but mandates have been controversial and were the focus of a protest at Parliament.
A mandate applying to police and the Defence Force was struck down by the High Court last week.
Among the matters raised there were that the Pfizer vaccine was tested on cells derived from a human foetus, raising ethical questions for opponents of abortion, and the Government had received health advice that further vaccine mandates to stop the spread of Covid-19 were not needed.
"We are confident our existing arrangements remain lawful and appropriate," the city council spokesman said.
In its policy approved in December, the council said it recognised vaccination against Covid-19 represented a significant opportunity to assist in bringing the impact of the disease under control.
"The Covid-19 vaccines will help protect people by either preventing or reducing symptoms of Covid-19 in the person who has received the vaccine."
Studies show the Omicron strain is better than others at evading immune protection conferred by vaccines, although the booster shot restores defences for a time.
The dominant, but milder Omicron variant has been spreading rapidly in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
It is argued by the Ministry of Health vaccination and booster shots help to reduce transmission of the virus.
The Otago Daily Times asked the city council this week what implications there were for health and safety assessments from double-vaccination making little difference to spread of the Omicron variant.
The council did not respond to the question.
A trespass notice Cr Lee Vandervis was issued after he tried to attend a council meeting without showing a vaccine pass is due to expire on Monday.
He would still need a vaccine pass to access council facilities from that date, until the mandate is dropped.
Council meetings have recently been held through an audiovisual link.
