COVID-19 Information & Updates

The City has reopened a number of its outdoor amenities for public use. 

Community members using outdoor amenities are reminded to adhere to safety protocols, government orders and health authority guidelines, including:

• maintaining physical distancing of at least 2 metres (6 feet) or more between persons;
• not using the amenities in groups of more than 100; and,
• respecting posted signage on guidelines for use.

Community members are welcome to use Oshawa’s open park spaces and trails and we remind community members to adhere to orders from the Ontario Government and health authority guidelines, including limiting gatherings outdoors to 100 people and maintaining physical distancing with people from outside their households or social circles.

Oshawa Public Libraries

Our McLaughlin, Jess Hann, and Northview Branches are now open. The Delpark Homes Centre Branch will re-open on Monday, August 10 with the same hours as the other branches. View the service update.

Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres OSCC55+

As of August 10, OSCC55+ Delpark Homes Branch will reopen in conjunction with the Delpark Homes Centre for limited use with operating hours of Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Subsequent reopening dates for additional OSCC55+ branches will be announced in the coming weeks. Please call 905-576-6712 for more information or visit www.oscc.ca.

City Hall

City Hall is closed to the public. As of Monday, August 10, City Hall will reopen to the public for many City services by appointment only. More information on how to book appointments will be announced shortly. 

Public health protocols will be implemented, including screening upon entry to City Hall and plexiglass barriers installed at front counters.

Community members requiring in-person service at City Hall will be reminded to:

• Enter and exit through the main entrance (located across from the Robert McLaughlin Gallery and adjacent to the Arts Resource Centre)
• Upon entering, wait to respond to screening questions and provide contact information
• Wear a mask which can be non-medical or face covering (with the exception of those who have health, respiratory and sensory issues, various disabilities; are unable to remove the mask without assistance; and children under the age of two)
• Maintain physical distancing from others and adhere to physical distancing markers
• Follow directional arrows located on the floor
• Use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the building
• Sign out when exiting the building

Community members can continue to do business with the City online or over the phone. Residents can submit many common requests and report issues at www.ServiceOshawa.ca. Additional online applications and payment options are available at www.oshawa.ca. 

Service Oshawa continues to be available to customers via phone, email and live chat during their regular hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be contacted by live chat at www.oshawa.ca, phone at 905-436-3311 and email at [email protected].

City Facilities 

The City’s community and recreation facilities (listed below) are closed to the public. All recreation programs, including facility rentals are cancelled further notice.

• Arts Resource Centre
• Children’s Arena
• Civic Recreation Complex
• Columbus Community Centre
• Delpark Homes Centre - Open as of August 10
• Donevan Recreation Complex
• Harman Park Arena
• Northview Community Centre
• South Oshawa Community Centre - Open as of August 10

Please note that registrants and facility permit holders will receive a full refund. For more information related to refunds, registration, membership, rentals and facility permits view our frequently asked questions webpage.

Oshawa Animal Services

In-person services at Oshawa Animal Services. Oshawa Animal Services continues to offer virtual pet adoptions online. The virtual adoption process includes a review of the available animals online by the potential adopter, the submission of the applicable form, a phone interview with O.A.S. staff and then, once approved, the arrangement of safe pick up and secure online payment. Animals adopted through O.A.S. include spay/neuter, vaccinations, flea treatment, deworming, microchipping, rabies vaccine and four weeks pet insurance. To learn how to apply to adopt an animal, visit the City’s Adoption webpage.

For further information, to report a lost/found pet or licensing services via telephone contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or view Service Oshawa online options.

The following animal related services continue to be offered by Municipal Law Enforcement:

• Pick up of sick/injured/aggressive domestic animals and wildlife
• Aggressive animals
• Dogs running at large
• Dog bite investigations
• Pick up of confined stray animals
• Pick up of diseased wildlife and stray animals

Oshawa Executive Airport Terminal Building

Currently, the Oshawa Executive Airport Terminal building is closed to the public. The Regional municipalities, including the City of Oshawa, are following recommendations provided by Durham Region Health Department, the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government.

Waste Collection

Recognizing that more community members and their families are staying home, which generates more waste, the City has increased the four-bag limit to six bags for garbage collection and waived the requirement for garbage bag tags. At this time, this is in effect until further notice. We encourage residents to continue to practice waste reduction by utilizing their blue boxes and green bins. 

Yard waste collection occurs every other week on the same day as your garbage is collected from mid-April until the end of November. Residents should check the Waste Collection Calendar and Information Guide for details about collection and to verify start and end dates. 

The Region of Durham’s Region Waste Management facility located at 1640 Ritson Road North remains open but will only accept debit and credit card payments (no cash).  

Fire Services

Oshawa’s fire stations have been closed to the public to protect our first responders, but Oshawa Fire Services continues to stand ready to respond to fire emergencies.

Licensing – Business, Taxi and Animal 

Business, taxi and animal licences due to expire have been extended to until further notice to allow individuals and businesses more time to submit and process these applications.

Marriage Licences and Civil Marriage Ceremonies

Marriage Licences are offered by appointment only. For more information about booking an appointment for a licence please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311. 

The City is booking civil marriage ceremonies at City Hall as of Friday, August 14. Civil marriage ceremonies take place in the Council Chamber and ceremony times are available on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. To learn more, call Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or visit www.oshawa.ca/getmarried.

To support residents and businesses during this difficult time, the City of Oshawa is waiving tax payment penalties and interest for 60 days for all residents and businesses, effective with the April tax installment.

The two-month grace period, until June 30, is for the April 27, 2020 installment with no penalties or interest charged. Insufficient funds and pre-authorized payment related fees will be waived.

All pre-authorized payment plan changes must be in writing. Requests can be made by:

• email to [email protected]; or,
• mail to City of Oshawa, City Hall, Tax Services, 50 Centre. St. S., Oshawa ON L1H 3Z7.

Additionally, the first installment of the final residential billing scheduled for June 26, 2020 will be delayed by one month to July 24, 2020. The first installment of the Final Billing for Commercial properties is July 27, 2020.

There are a number of ways to pay your tax bill.

1. Sign up for our Pre-authorized Payment Plan;
2. By mail (cheque only);
3. By external drop box located outside the main entrance on the south side of City Hall (cheque only);
4. At most chartered banks and financial institutions in person, by telephone banking or online banking (subject to bank charges if applicable);
5. Through a mortgage company; if you pay your property taxes to a mortgage company, the company submits the payment to the City on your behalf.

Learn more on our frequently asked questions webpage.

Recreation Program Cancellations

In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Recreation and Culture Services has cancelled the Summer program session, including Summer Camps. Prior to this announcement the Spring program session was cancelled, as well as any Winter program that had remaining classes past March 14, 2020.

For more information related to refunds, registration, membership, rentals and facility permits view our frequently asked questions webpage.

Permit Cancellations

Permits for indoor space remain cancelled until further notice.

Outdoor permits for sporting events and tournaments are cancelled to the end of August.

Requests for other outdoor permits, including weddings, picnics, photography, festivals, and religious ceremonies, are to be directed to the Facility Booking Office. Please contact the Facility Booking Office at 905-436-3311 or email [email protected]a.

Outdoor sports fields

Team sports organizations can now resume play provided participants adhere to the Province’s emergency orders, health authority guidelines and follow the guidelines of their governing sport organizations.

To learn more or to book space contact the Facility Booking Office at 905-436-3311 or email [email protected]a for more information.

Refunds can be requested by contacting 905-436-3311 or by emailing [email protected] and your inquiry will be directed to a member of our team who will be happy to assist you. Please note, during the facility closures credits on account will be refunded for the following payment types made at the time of purchase:

• Cash, cheque and debit payments will be returned via cheque. Please note, it could take up to three weeks for patrons to receive a cheque for their refund request.
• Credit card payments will be returned via refund to your credit card. In situations where the credit card at the time of purchase is no longer in use, refunds will be returned via cheque. Please note, it could take up to three weeks for patrons to receive a cheque for their refund request.

The City has resumed its regular City Council and Standing Committee meetings electronically according to the Council approved schedule.

View Upcoming Council and Standing Committee meetings as per the Council approved schedule.  

Additionally, at the upcoming Council and Standing Committee meetings, delegations will be permitted electronically through remote electronic access provided the request relates to an item on the published agenda and is received by City Clerk Services a minimum of two business days prior to the meeting in order to arrange for technology testing. Due to the technology and testing required, delegation requests received after this deadline will not be permitted. City Clerks Services can be contacted by email at [email protected] or telephone 905-436-3311.

Lakeridge Health: COVID-19 Assessment Clinics

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is by appointment only. Community members who would like to be tested for COVID-19 can visit www.covidswab.lh.ca to book an appointment. Additional information can be found on the Lakeridge Health website at www.lakeridgehealth.on.ca

Community members concerned about their health are asked to seek clinical assessment using one of these four options:

1. Complete an online self-assessment.
2. Contact Durham Health Connection Line 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.
3. Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
4. Contact your primary care provider by phone.

Additional resources

The Durham Region Health Department has issued instructions to ensure the mandatory use of non-medical masks or face coverings within most public and enclosed indoor spaces, effective July 10. 

This means that non-medical masks or face coverings are mandatory for all community members, with the exception of those who have health, respiratory and sensory issues; various disabilities; are unable to remove the mask without assistance; children under the age of two; or, other valid reasons.

The Health Department has created resources to aid the community in safely using a non-medical mask or face covering:

• Tips for choosing a proper non-medical face mask or face covering
• How to keep safe while using your non-medical face mask or face covering

Additional information regarding non-medical face masks and face coverings is available on the Region of Durham’s COVID-19 Update webpage and on the Region of Durham's COVID-19 Fact Sheet. 

Any inquiries or reports about public establishments not ensuring masks are worn can be directed to the Durham Region Health Department for follow up and/or enforcement at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729. 

The Ontario government has extended emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, while beginning to ease some restrictions as Ontario officially enters the stage of reopening the province. View the complete list of current emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Effective Friday, July 24, 2020, the City of Oshawa and all municipalities in Durham Region areas will enter Stage 3 of the Province’s Reopening Framework. For more information, visit Reopening Ontario after COVID-19.  

Social Gatherings

Social gathering limits are expanded to up to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors with physical distancing still required unless it is in your social circle.

What is a social circle?

• You can now establish a family or social circle
• No more than 10 people who can interact with one another without physical distancing
• Health authorities have given us the following steps for social circles:
• Start with your current circle: the people you live with or who regularly come into your household;
• If your current circle is under 10 people, you can add members to your circle, including those from another household, family members or friends;
• Get agreement from everyone that they will join the circle;
• Keep your social circle safe. Maintain physical distancing with anyone outside of your circle; and
• No one should be part of more than one circle. 

People must still practice physical distancing, by keeping at least two metres away from others outside of their direct household. Additionally, places of worship will be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30% of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.

Businesses

Nearly all businesses and public spaces can gradually reopen as regions enter Stage 3, with public health and workplace safety restrictions in place, while some high-risk venues and activities will remain closed until they can safely resume operations.

Based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, indoor and outdoor gathering limits will also be increased to as many as 50 people indoors and as many as 100 people outdoors. Physical distancing remains a requirement for all people of Ontario that are not from the same household or social circle.

Find sector-specific guidelines and posters to help protect workers, customers and the general public from COVID-19 in Ontario. If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, read our frequently asked questions or call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Ontario Protecting Consumers from Price Gouging

Consumers can report an individual who is price gouging by filing a complaint at 1-800-889-9768 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 

On March 24, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, John Henry declared a State of Emergency in the Region of Durham in accordance with the Emergency Management By-law.

For the most up-to-date public information about COVID-19 in Durham Region, refer to www.durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus.

As of July 10, 2020, the Durham Region Health Department has issued instructions to ensure the mandatory use of non-medical masks or face coverings within most public and enclosed indoor spaces. 

Non-medical masks or face coverings are mandatory for all community members within most public and enclosed indoor spaces, with the exception of those who have health, respiratory and sensory issues; various disabilities; are unable to remove the mask without assistance; children under the age of two; or, other valid reasons.

The Health Department has created resources to aid the community in safely using a non-medical mask or face covering:

• Tips for choosing a proper non-medical face mask or face covering
• How to keep safe while using your non-medical face mask or face covering

Additional information regarding non-medical face masks and face coverings is available on the Region of Durham’s COVID-19 Update webpage and on the Region of Durham's COVID-19 Fact Sheet. 

Any inquiries or reports about public establishments not ensuring masks are worn can be directed to the Durham Region Health Department for follow up and/or enforcement at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

The D.R.P.S. has a reporting process for residents who want to report a non-compliant business or a large gathering of over 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Residents can now report either situation on www.drps.ca under Online Services - Community Concern, or call the D.R.P.S. non-emergency line at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5802.

Secondary contact information for Durham Public Health is via email at [email protected], or by phone at 1-800-841-2729 or 905-668-2020.

Anyone seeking clarification whether a situation falls under the non-compliance orders can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. Assistance is available Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Mask Requirements

For inquires or reports about public establishments not ensuring masks are worn, please contact the Durham Region Health Department for follow up and/or enforcement at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.