The Province has announced today that as of Tuesday, March 30, Middlesex-London will move into the Red/Control category of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open framework.
The Red/Control category allows the City of London to continue to offer certain in-person services and programming, however, these remain open under greater restrictions and capacity limits. All local health guidelines and Provincial regulations, including greater restrictions and capacity limits, will be followed at all times.
Impacts to City of London services include the following:
City Clerk’s Office:
- With the move to Red/Control category for London, marriage licences will only be issued for people who are from Middlesex-London and areas that are not in 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 of London will continue offering modified recreation programs at our community centres and arenas, however group sizes may be reduced to follow group size restrictions.
- Team sports may not be practiced or played except for training. Sport programs that involve games or scrimmages will not be permitted. As a result, some sports programs will be cancelled and participants will receive a refund. Other sports programs will be suspended until Provincial restrictions change. Participants will be contacted by phone and email if their sports program has been affected by this.
- The City’s two courses, Thames Valley Golf Course and Fanshawe Golf Course, will remain open. COVID-19 protocols including physical distancing will be in place at all times.
Broader impacts of the Red/Control category include limits for all organized public events and social gatherings, where physical distancing can be maintained, to 5 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, along with modified measures for local businesses including restaurants, retail stores, personal care services, and fitness facilities, among others.
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.