COVID-19 Information & Updates

The City has reopened a number of its outdoor amenities for public use and some of its public buildings for limited use. Please refer to the chart below for the status of reopenings.

Recreation Facilities, Arenas, Indoor Pools and Fitness Centres

Each facility will run on unique operating hours:

• Children's Arena: Open for permitted use only. Email the Facility Booking Office for availability or to book space. 
• Civic Recreation Complex: Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Civic Fieldhouse is open for permitted use only. Email the Facility Booking Office for availability or to book space. 
• Delpark Homes Centre: Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Donevan Recreation Complex: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Harman Park Arena: Open for permitted use only with the exception of Friday evening leisure skates. Email the Facility Booking Office for availability or to book space. 
• Northview Community Centre: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• South Oshawa Community Centre: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Use of the indoor pools, indoor tracks, tennis courts, gymnasiums, and fitness centres are by appointment only in order to ensure health and safety protocols. Community members who would like to book an appointment are asked to register at register.oshawa.ca or call 905-436-3311. Learn more at Oshawa.ca/ReopeningRecreation.

To book ice at Delpark Homes Centre, Donevan Recreation Complex or Harman Park Arena, please contact the Facility Booking Office. Additionally, ice is available at the Tribute Communities Centre for on-ice instruction to specific sport affiliations and organizations.

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

Community members are asked to:

• Enter and exit facilities through the designated locations, please visit Oshawa.ca/ReopeningRecreation for additional information related to facility entrance and exit points.
• Queue outside of the recreation facility to visit the designated screening area, respond to screening questions and provide contact information
• Wear a mask 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

City Hall

City Hall is open to the public by appointment only for many City services. To book an appointment, please call Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 during regular operating hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday on business days). Visit Oshawa.ca/CouncilMembers to contact Members of Council.

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 are asked 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 or face covering for the duration of your visit (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 through Service Oshawa online. Additional online applications and payment options are available through our online services. 

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, phone at 905-436-3311 or email at [email protected].

City Facilities 

The following City community and recreation facilities (listed below) remain closed to the public: 

• Arts Resource Centre
• Columbus Community Centre

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

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

The four-bag limit for bi-weekly garbage collection in Oshawa in now in effect. Each bag placed at the curb beyond the four-bag limit must have a bag tag attached for pickup. Contactless options for purchasing bag tags are now available at www.oshawa.ca/waste. We encourage residents to continue to practice waste reduction by utilizing their blue boxes and green bins. 

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. 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

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

Outdoor sports fields

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, 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 durhamcovidswab.lh.ca to book an appointment. Additional information can be found on the Lakeridge Health website at www.lakeridgehealth.on.ca 

COVID-19 Assessment Centre (C.A.C.)

The City of Oshawa recently entered into a licence agreement with the Oshawa Clinic Group to facilitate the opening of a new C.A.C. location at the Mary Street Parking Garage located at 1 Mary Street North in downtown Oshawa. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. by appointment only. Community members who feel they need to be assessed for COVID-19 either based on symptoms or exposure concerns should fill out the online registration form available on the Lakeridge Health website.

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. 

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. 

Any inquiries about mask requirements can be directed to the Durham Region Health Department. 

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 Monday, November 23, 2020, the Region including the City of Oshawa will move into the Red-control category of the provincial framework.

General public health measures under red-control include:

• Gathering limit for all organized public events and social gatherings:
  • 5 people indoors
  • 25 people outdoors
• Religious services, weddings and funerals:
  • 30% capacity indoors
  • 100 people outdoors
• Requirement for workplace screening
• Face coverings required in:
  • indoor workplaces
  • indoor public spaces, with limited exemptions
• Where patrons without face coverings are within two metres of workers, workers much use additional protections such as eye protection
• Workplaces must develop and implement a communication/public education plan (highlighting risk)
• Physical distancing must be maintained
• Non-essential travel from areas of high-transmission to areas of low transmission should be avoided

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.

Masks

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. 

Any inquiries or reports about public establishments not ensuring masks are worn can be directed to the Durham Region Health Department.

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 5 people indoors and 25 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

To report public establishments not ensuring masks are worn, please contact the D.R.P.S. non-emergency line at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5802 or visit www.drps.ca under Online Services - Community Concerns