The Province has announced today that as of Monday, March 1, Middlesex-London will move into the Orange/Restrict category of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open framework.
The Orange/Restrict category allows the City of London to resume some sport programming, expand the number of people participating in programs, and to resume some in-person services. Any changes to services and programs will follow all Provincial and local restrictions and capacity limits.
Impacts to City of London services include the following:
City Clerk’s Office:
- With the move to Orange/Restrict for London, marriage licences will only be issued for people who are from Middlesex-London and areas that are not in Red or Grey/Lockdown. Appointments for marriage licence and wedding ceremony requests continue to be encouraged. Appointments with the City Clerk’s Office can be booked by calling 519-661-4530 prior to your visit.
Social Services (Ontario Works):
- Services are not impacted by this shift. All service counters remain open for drop-in service and appointments as necessary. Participants of Ontario Works are encouraged to connect with supports through phone by contacting 519-661-4520 (toll-free 1-833-932-2297).
Recreation Programming:
- The City will begin offering increased capacity for certain recreation programs.
- The City will begin offering a limited amount of new recreation programs, with registration available starting next week through Play Your Way online or by calling 519-661-5575.
- Team sports games are permitted with COVID-19 safety measures in place.
Animal Services:
- The City’s Cat Adoption Centre (Catty Shack) and Municipal Shelter (London Animal Care Centre) will reopen for in-person attendances.
Broader impacts of the Orange/Restrict category include limits for all organized public events and social gatherings, where physical distancing can be maintained, to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, along with some modified measures for local businesses including restaurants, retail stores, personal care services, and fitness facilities, among others.
While London moves into this new category of the Provincial framework, the City reminds residents of the importance of following health precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community, including limiting close contact to your household, staying at least two metres apart from people you do not live with and wearing a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces and outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible.
City of London Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officers will continue to work with partners to ensure education and compliance with these regulations.
For further information and a list of current City of London services that have been impacted by COVID-19, please continue to visit www.london.ca/covid-19. This site will be updated as services are changed.