Red/Control category - City of London service updates

As of Tuesday, February 16, London-Middlesex will move into the Red/Control category of the Provincial Keeping Ontario Safe and Open framework.

A number of City facilities will reopen for in-person services and programs in the Red-Control category. All London-Middlesex Health Unit health guidelines and Provincial regulations, including greater restrictions and capacity limits, will be followed at all times.

As of Tuesday, the first three floors of City Hall will re-open for in-person services. As well, the service counters at Citi-Plaza will open and the satellite offices for Ontario Works will also re-open to the public.

Impacts to City of London services include the following:

City Clerk’s Office:

• As of Tuesday, February 16, City Hall will be open to the public for Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act requests, burial permits, bus tickets, passes, commissioner of oath, lottery, animal licenses, property tax payments, and general information.
• Appointments for marriage licence requests are encouraged. Please book an appointment with the City Clerk’s Office by calling 519-661-4530 prior to your visit. Licences will only be issued for people who are from London-Middlesex and areas that are not in Red or Grey/Lockdown.
• Civil marriage ceremonies will only be available to residents in London-Middlesex and areas that are not in a Red or Grey/Lockdown region.
• Pre-registration for in-person Public Participation Meeting attendance is encouraged to ensure capacity stays within the maximum permitted.
• The option to provide input remotely for Public Participation Meetings will continue. Pre-registration is required for individuals wishing to participate remotely.

Social Services (Ontario Works):

As of Tuesday, February 16, Social Services will provide the option of drop-in Ontario Works services including cheque pick-up at Citi Plaza, cheque encashment stamps and emergency services and drop-in supports at the following locations:

• Citi Plaza
• London East
• Northland Mall
• South London Community Centre
• Westmount Shopping Centre

Whenever possible, clients are encouraged to email a copy of their documents or drop them off at one of the drop box locations. Monthly cheque pick-up at Citi Plaza will take place the last two business days of the month between 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, and those who have recently applied will be informed of when cheques are available for pick up. Individuals are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit whenever possible.

Recreation Programming:

• Aquatic services programs will be available beginning on Saturday, February 20. Recreational swims, aquafit and fit swims can be booked online. Class sizes will be limited to what is permitted in the reopening guidelines. Learn to swim, and leadership courses will also begin, with registration available online at www.london.ca/aquatics
• Arenas will re-open to the public effective Saturday, February 20 for public skating. Skaters will be required to register online in advance at https://london.ca/living-london/recreation/skating
• Storybook Skating Trail will reopen on Saturday, February 20, with registration required in advance online at www.london.ca/playyourway  or by calling 519 661-5575. Registration will open on February 16 at 9:30 a.m.
• Victoria Park skating rink will reopen as soon as possible. Staff are developing plans to ensure all health protocols can be followed prior to opening the rink.
• The neighbourhood rinks are permitted to reopen, with limits on the number of skaters
• Some community centres will begin to reopen for indoor drop-in and indoor registered programs on Monday, February 22. Registration for these programs will reopen Thursday, February 18, and is available online at www.london.ca/playyourway or by phone at 519-661-5575.  
• Team sports games or scrimmages are not permitted (training can continue).
• Racquet sports involving more than 2 players are not permitted.
• Dressing rooms in arenas and change rooms in community centres will not be available.

While the Province has lifted the stay-at-home order for London, the City is reminding Londoners 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.