COVID-19 Information & Updates

Service Oshawa 

All essential municipal services will continue to be offered.

As a result of the Province declaring a second state of emergency and issued a stay-at-home order, Oshawa City Hall will be closed until further notice. 

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 on business days and can be contacted by live chat, phone at 905-436-3311 or email at [email protected].

Visit Oshawa.ca/CouncilMembers to contact Members of Council.

City Hall

City Hall is closed to the public until further notice. 

City Facilities, Arenas, Indoor Pools and Fitness Centre

The following City recreation facilities are closed until further notice:

• Arts Resource Centre
• Children’s Arena 
• Civic Recreation Complex
• Delpark Homes Centre
• Donevan Recreation Complex
• Harman Park Arena
• Northview Community Centre (with the exception of the services provided by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Durham for its after school program)
• South Oshawa Community Centre
• Tribute Communities Centre 

As a result, all bookings and permits will be cancelled for the duration of the closure. Refunds will be issued for all bookings and leisure admissions. Refunds will be issued for all permit holders without penalty during this closure and membership holders will be compensated accordingly for the duration of the closure.

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

Civil marriages and marriage licenses will not be offered at City Hall until further notice. To learn more, call Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or visit www.oshawa.ca/getmarried.

As a result of the province-wide shutdown, all recreation facilities will temporarily close until further notice. 

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

City Council and Standing Committee meetings will continue to take place electronically. Community members are encouraged to watch online at www.oshawa.ca/webcasts. 

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.

To receive email notifications of Council and Standing Committee meetings, visit www.oshawa.ca/subscribe. 

Residents who have a smartphone are encouraged to download the COVID Alert app.     

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

As per provincial orders, individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two metres.

The Durham Region Health Department has provided instructions to ensure the mandatory use of non-medical masks or face coverings:

• 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, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, has imposed a province-wide shutdown. In addtition, the Province of Ontario has declared a second state of emergency and issued a stay-at-home order along with further restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The stay-at-home order is effective Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. for a minimum of 28 days. 

The following additional public health measures include:

• Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a limit of five people with limited exceptions. This is consistent with the rules during the lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19 in spring 2020 and will allow individuals and families to enjoy time outdoors safely.
• Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two metres.  
• All non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m. The restricted hours of operation do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery.
• Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.

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 outside of a household and 5 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