Provincial Stay-at-Home Order – Many City of London services continue to be available virtually

Yesterday, the Province of Ontario issued an Emergency Declaration and Stay-at-Home Order, effective today, Thursday, April 8.

These additional public health measures require residents to stay at home unless it’s for essential purposes only, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for work.

City of London services will continue to be available during the Stay-at-Home Order. Following the announcement of a Provincial shutdown on April 1, changes were made to reduce the need for people to leave their homes to access City services. Appointments will continue to be offered virtually or over the phone where services can be delivered remotely. In-person services will be offered only where they are legislatively required or in extenuating circumstances.

Londoners are reminded of the following service impacts:

Recreation Programs:

Registration for summer day camps has been postponed until further notice. All April Break Day Camps are cancelled. Participants will be contacted by phone or email if their registered program has been affected and will receive refunds for any fee-based programs.

Public Participation Meetings:

The Public Participation Meeting process has been modified to protect the health and well-being of members of the public and City employees during the pandemic. Anyone wishing to speak at a Public Participation Meeting can do so virtually, using Zoom online or by phone. Pre-registration is required.

Please note:

• Members of the public are required to pre-register to speak at the public participation meeting. To register this must be requested no later than 9:00 a.m. the day of the meeting. Speakers will be limited to five minutes of verbal presentation.
• Registered speakers will be given the information to connect to the Zoom meeting and will also be able to present by phone.
• Pre-register by calling 519-661-2489 ext. 7100 or by emailing PPMClerks@london.ca.  Please indicate the meeting and item when contacting the Clerk’s Office. Directions on how to participate will be provided upon registration.
• Members of the public can also participate by submitting written communications to the committee or to Members of Council prior to the meeting.

Pre-registration is only required for those wishing to speak at a Public Participation Meeting.

Council and Standing Committee Meetings:

Council and Standing Committee Meetings will continue; however, City Hall will be temporarily closed to the public for in-person attendance at these meetings. Live streaming of Council and Standing Committee Meetings will continue to be available via the City of London’s website or YouTube.

For further information and a list of all current City of London services that have been impacted by COVID-19, please continue to visit www.london.ca/covid-19.

The new Emergency Declaration and Stay-at-Home Order also requires:

• Limiting the majority of non-essential retailers to only operate for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., with delivery of goods permitted between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
• Restriction on discount and big box stores in-person retail sales to grocery items, pet care supplies, household cleaning supplies, pharmaceutical items, health care items, and personal care items only.
• Garden centres and plant nurseries will be permitted to continue in-person sales with a 25 per cent capacity limit and a restriction on hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• Suspension of residential evictions.

Londoners should continue to stay at home as much as possible, limit close contacts to your household and follow all public health measures to minimize transmission of COVID-19. Residents are also reminded that face coverings are mandatory in indoor areas of businesses and organizations that are open, with limited exceptions. Face coverings are also recommended outdoors in areas where physical distance can’t be maintained.

As per the Provincial regulation, events and social gatherings, indoor organized public events and social gatherings are not permitted, except with members of the same household. Those who live alone can have exclusive, close contact with another household. Additionally, outdoor organized public events and social gatherings are restricted to a limit of five people, where physical distancing can be maintained.

Residents who have concerns about businesses and individuals who are not following COVID-19 related orders can contact COVIDOrderConcerns@london.ca or by phone at 519-661-4660.