Durham has been moved to Red-Control, and here is a list of some of the facilities that are part of the reopening measures announced by Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Scugog.
Oshawa
Oshawa City Hall and some City recreation centres to reopen March 1 for limited use.
Oshawa has announced that effective March 1, the following city buildings will reopen for limited use by appointment only:
- City Hall
- Civic Recreation Complex
- Delpark Homes Centre
- Donevan Recreation Complex and
- South Oshawa Community Centre
In preparation of the March 1 reopening, the city is performing due diligence work, which includes time to assess and perform work to inspect and prepare the facilities for in-person services and public operations, and ensuring safety measures are in place.
City Hall: To book an appointment, call Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 during regular operating hours (8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday on business days). For information on how to contact Members of Council directly, visit www.oshawa.ca/councilmembers. Public health protocols will be implemented, including screening upon entry to City Hall and plexiglass barriers at front counters.
Community members requiring in-person service at City Hall are asked to:
- Enter and exit through the main entrance (located across from the Robert McLaughlin Gallery and adjacent to the Arts Resource Centre);
- Upon entering, wait to respond to screening questions and provide contact information;
- Wear a mask or face covering (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 for religious reasons);
- Maintain physical distancing from others and adhere to physical distancing markers;
- Follow directional arrows located on the floor;
- Use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the building; and,
- Sign out when exiting the building.
Recreation facilities
As of March 1, Civic Recreation Complex, Delpark Homes Centre, Donevan Recreation Complex and South Oshawa Community Centre, will reopen for limited use by appointment only. Oshawa residents now have advance booking privileges atcity recreation facilities that have reopened. This includes bookings for fitness centres, indoor tracks, tennis and pickleball courts, and leisure swimming and skating.
The following outlines the advance booking structure for both residents and non-residents and community members with an active Fitness Membership:
- Oshawa residents who have an active Fitness Membership will have ten (10) days advance booking privileges.
- Community members who are not Oshawa residents but have an active Fitness Membership will have seven (7) days advance booking privileges.
- Oshawa residents who do not have an active Fitness Membership will have three (3) days advance booking privileges.
- Community members who are not Oshawa residents and do not have an active Fitness Membership will have one (1) day advance booking privileges.
Bookings will open beginning on February 24. Oshawa residents looking to take advantage of their ten- or three-day booking privileges are asked to call 905-436-3311 to complete their booking request. All other community members are encouraged to book their visit online at Register.Oshawa.ca. For more information, visit www.oshawa.ca/reopeningrecreation.
Ice rental is available at Delpark Homes Centre by contacting the Facility Booking Office. Additionally, ice is available at the Tribute Communities Centre for on-ice instruction to specific sport affiliations and organizations.
The Delpark and Northview branches of Oshawa Public Libraries will re-open to the public on March 1 for in-library browsing, computer use, as well as Take-out service. The Jess Hann branch re-opens to the public on March 2. The McLaughlin branch will continue to provide Take-out service only. For more information, visit their Welcome Back webpage. As of March 1, OSCC55+ Delpark Homes Branch will reopen by appointment only in conjunction with the Delpark Homes Centre with operating hours of Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 905-576-6712 or visit www.oscc.ca.
Public health protocols will be in place in city recreation facilities, including screening upon entry and plexiglass barriers installed at front counters.
Whitby: What You Need to Know
At the Red-Control Level, broader-scale measures and restrictions, across multiple sectors, continue to be in effect to control the transmission of Covid-19. Here’s what you need to know:
Stay Home: Under this level of restriction, residents continue to be strongly encouraged to limit close contact to those in their immediate household and stay home as much as possible, except for essential purposes. This includes work (where it is not possible to work from home), school, grocery shopping, medical appointments and physical activity.
Please continue to follow public health advice: maintain physical distancing, properly wear a mask, wash your hands, and if sick, stay home. Download the Government of Canada’s Covid Alert app on your mobile device.
Gathering Limits: Gathering limits under the Red-Control Level are as follows:
- 5 people indoors and 25 people outdoors for all organized public events and social gatherings; and,
- 30% of capacity indoors and 100 people outdoors for religious services, weddings and funerals.
Businesses: Restaurants and bars are limited to 10 people indoors and no more than 4 people per table, must stop serving liquor at 9 p.m., and must close by 10 p.m. (except for takeout or drive-through service). Gyms/fitness centres are allowed to open and offer indoor classes with capacity limits of 10 people, while maintaining physical distancing of 3 metres. The Province is encouraging any business with questions about the impacts of moving to the Red-Control Level, to call 1.855.216.3090 or visit ontario.ca/covidsupport for more information.
Town Facilities: The town’s top priority continues to be the health and well-being of its staff and residents. That’s why the town is taking a phased approach to the safe reopening of its facilities.
Not all facilities will open immediately as re-staffing and facility preparation is underway. Facilities will begin to reopen as follows:
Select Services By Appointment
As of February 22, some services will be offered in-person by appointment. These services include:
- Civil marriage ceremonies and licences,
- Lottery licensing,
- Commissioner of oaths, and
- Property tax roll assessment viewings
To view the complete list of services available online, by phone, in-person or to book an appointment, visit whitby.ca/appointments. Before entering a town facility, members of the public are required to wear a face mask or covering and complete a health and safety screening.
Whitby Public Library: As of Monday, March 1 the Central Library will reopen for in-person access to physical collections, staff assistance and computer use (limited to 45 minutes, no extensions). Study space and seating will not be available at this time. Before entering the library, members of the public are required to wear a face mask or covering and complete a health and safety screening.
Contactless Pickup continues at all three Whitby Public Library locations while the Central Library prepares for reopening. Masks are required while in line. Exterior Book Drops at all locations are open. Please note: the Book Drop at the Rossland Branch is open during hours of operation only.
Next Steps: The town is currently reviewing next steps to safely reopen additional facilities, including some community centres and is committed to keeping our community informed.
The town thanked residents for their patience and for continuing to do their part to help keep themselves and others safe.
Phased Ajax facility reopening plan
As Durham Region and Ajax have moved into the Control – Red Zone under the province’s reopening framework, the Ajax said it continues to take a measured, cautious approach to reopening. With public health officials navigating the unknowns regarding the Covid-19 variants and as further details on the vaccine roll-out are awaited, the town is taking every precaution to ensure the safety and protection of our community and staff.
Through the Reopening Plan, select recreational facilities and amenities will be coming back online to support the health and wellness of residents.
Reopening Plan Highlights:
- Ajax Community Centre: Ice pads 3 & 4 will open February 22 for ice user groups. Please note, at this time indoor public skating will not be offered. Squash will also be available for members, please call 905-427-8811 to reserve your spot.
- McLean Community Centre: Fitness & Health Centre (FHC) opens to members Friday, February 19 by appointment only. Registrations Thursday, February 18 at 12 p.m. To book, visit ajax.ca/fitness.
- Audley Recreation Centre: Swimming is tentatively scheduled to open Friday, February 26. Registration is required and opens Wednesday, February 24. For the latest updates, visit ajax.ca/swimming.
Quick Facts
- Ajax Town Hall remains open, by appointment-only. For more information on online services and Town Hall appointments, call 905-683-4550, email contactus@ajax.ca. For your convenience, the Town has introduced a new self-serve online appointment booking system available at ajax.ca/appointments.
- Outdoor public skating continues to be available at Pat Bayly Square outdoor rink, and pop-up natural ice rinks are open at McLean Community Centre and Audley Recreation Centre. For more information, visit ajax.ca/winterTOA.
- The Town’s Reopening Plan will allow us to gauge community support for further programming and service reopening.
Township of Scugog
Township of Scugog Emergency Control Group has reviewed and updated the safety plans and will continue to serve the public virtually under the Red-Control level. Below are highlights of what you can expect at Scugog facilities.
Municipal Office (181 Perry Street) and Fire Administration (30 Crandell Street)
- All front counter services are available through virtual meetings, email or phone. To make a virtual appointment, please email or phone the department contact
- Drop-box and online payment options remain available
- Staff undergo daily self-assessment for Covid-19
- All building and site inspections will be conducted on site with only the inspector in the building. All required paperwork for the inspection shall be emailed to the inspector prior to the inspection.
Scugog Community Recreation Centre (SCRC)
- The SCRC including the Lookout Youth Centre will remain closed
- Ice was removed on January 16 when the Province’s Stay-at-home order was put into place, therefore at this time ice programs will not be available
- In-person and virtual spring recreation programs are anticipated to begin April 5
- The SCRC has been identified as a future vaccination clinic site. Evaluation, planning and logistics are currently underway
Meeting Spaces available for government and health services only
- Limited to 10 people per facility indoors
- Limited operating hours and must be closed by 10 p.m.
- Limit of 4 people may be seated together
Public Health advises non-essential travel should be avoided, especially between public health measure zones. Please continue to stay at home as much as possible and leave your home only for essential reasons, avoid social gatherings, and where possible, work remotely. Residents and business owners are reminded to remain vigilant with maintaining protocols, following limits for gatherings, keep a 2 metre (6 foot) distance between yourself and others, always wear a mask or face covering and wash your hands often.
Due to the evolving nature of the situation, protocols and guidelines may change. Please visit scugog.ca/covid19 or follow @TwpofScugog on social media for updates.