With the Provincial announcement that all Ontario communities will enter a province-wide shutdown beginning Saturday, April 3, many City of London services will continue to be available; however, they will be available online or over the phone, with in-person services available by appointment only or at designated times. There are also impacts to programs and facilities as a result of the shutdown. These measures are in place to comply with the Provincial order, and for the health and safety of Londoners who access and deliver City services.
The following provides an overview of impacts to programs and services. Unless otherwise stated, these come into effect as of April 3 at 12:01 a.m. and in place for 28 days.
Recreation programs, facilities, and memberships:
The City’s golf 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.
Outdoor sport and multi-use fields are open for team training. A City staff member from our recreation department will contact teams directly to determine if they can use these fields based on current Provincial restrictions. All outdoor park amenities and trails will remain open and available for recreational use.
All community centres are closed for indoor and outdoor drop-in registered programs beginning April 3. All programs in arenas will be cancelled, including recreational skates, hockey rentals and any private rentals. All aquatics programs, including recreational swims, aquafit classes and fit lanes will be cancelled. Swim passes will be placed on hold.
Participants will be contacted by phone or email if their registered program has been affected and will receive refunds for any fee-based programs. All April Break Day Camps will also be cancelled as they are not permitted to run during the shutdown.
Child Care Fee Subsidy:
Citi Plaza will be closed to the public effective April 3 with the exception of every Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the last two business days of the month of April. Please contact Children Services by email at childcare@london.ca or by calling 519 661-4834. Current Child Care Fee Subsidies families are encouraged to contact their Community Support Associate for service. New families interested applying for Child Care Fee Subsidy please visit https://london.ca/living-london/community-services/child-care-services/child-care-fee-subsidy-program. We are still accepting new applications at this time.
Social Services (Ontario Works):
Effective April, cheque pick up and encashment stamps will be available at Citi Plaza on the last two business days of the month between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and every Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or on an emergency basis and by appointment only.
In-person and drop-in services will not be provided at any location. People are encouraged to call or email their caseworker directly, call the general line at 519-661-4520 (toll free at 1-833-932-2297) or email socialservices@london.ca. Documents can be emailed or dropped off at one of the drop box locations.
Subsidized Transit Bus Passes:
Eligible individuals may purchase bus passes at Citi Plaza on the last two business days of the month, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and again between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., as well as every Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Subsidized Transit Bus Passes may also be purchased at City Hall by appointment Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. City Hall appointments may be scheduled by calling 519-661-2489.
Homeless Prevention:
Residents needing assistance are encouraged to call 519-661-HOME (4663). In-person service will be available at Citi Plaza on the last two business days of the month between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and every Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or on an emergency basis and by appointment only.
Housing Access Centre:
Residents needing assistance are encouraged to call 519-661-0861 or email hac@london.ca. In-person service will be available at Citi Plaza on the last two business days of the month between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and every Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or on an emergency basis and by appointment only.
Fire Services:
All fire stations, including Memorial Headquarters (400 Horton Street) are closed to the public until further notice. For non-emergencies, please call 519-661-5615.
Marriages:
Marriage licenses are available by appointment only. For additional information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 519-661-4530.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies:
New Civil Marriage Ceremony bookings are not being offered at this time.
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA):
MFIPPA requests are available by appointment only.
Council and Standing Committee Meetings:
Council and Standing Committee Meetings will continue. City Hall will be temporarily closed to the public for in-person attendance at Standing Committees and Council meetings. Live streaming of these meetings will continue to be available via the City of London’s website or YouTube.
Public Participation Meetings before Standing Committees:
Residents wishing to speak at a Public Participation Meeting (PPM) before a Standing Committee will need to register in advance by calling 519-661-2489 ext. 7100 or by emailing PPMClerks@london.ca. Requests to speak must be received before 4:30 p.m. on the day before the meeting. Written submissions are also accepted by email, directed to the committee or Members of Council prior to the meeting.
Committee of Adjustment:
Committee of Adjustment meetings for minor variance applications will be held virtually. For applicant or participation inquiries, please call 519-661-2489, extension 4988 or email CoAregister@london.ca.
Building, Development and Planning Services:
These services will be available by appointment by emailing Building@london.ca, Developmentservices@london.ca or Planning@london.ca.
Parking Services:
Payments can be made online at london.ca/parking. For parking inquiries including parking lot payments and screening requests, please email Parking@london.ca. The Parking office will be closed.
Business Licensing:
Inquiries will be managed virtually and online by emailing Licensing@london.ca. The office will be closed.
Animal Services:
Adoptions will be available either virtually or by appointment. Stray animal drop off will be by appointment only, and only emergency field services will be available. For additional information, email info@accpets.ca
General Services:
City facilities including City Hall will be closed for walk-in services. Please call or email the Service Area directly to make an appointment, or call 519-661-2489 or email ASKCity@london.ca.
Additional information:
- The Enviro Depots and Household Special Waste drop off at the W12A landfill will continue to operate as per their normal schedules for this time of year.
- All public consultation and engagement will move to online, hardcopy/mailouts or by phone during the shutdown.
- The Tourism Centre on Wellington Road will be closed.
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 to help reduce the negative impacts of social isolation. Additionally, outdoor organized public events and social gatherings are capped at 5 people, where physical distancing can be maintained. Weddings, funerals, religious services, rites or ceremonies will be permitted to allow for up to 15 per cent total occupancy indoors, or the number of people that can maintain two metres physical distance from each other outdoors.
The City asks everyone to stay home as much as possible, limit close contacts to your household and follow public health measures so we can reduce cases, illness and spread in the community.
City of London administrative services that will continue during the Provincial shutdown will be closed on April 2 in observance of Good Friday and on April 5 in observance of Easter Monday.
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.