NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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Following the Province of Ontario’s direction and in an effort to limit the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) by reducing public gathering and encouraging social distancing, the City of Orillia will be closing its municipal facilities to public access effective immediately with the exception of entry to City Centre tenant locations.
Critical City services, such as water, wastewater, road maintenance, waste collection and fire service, will continue and City employees will deliver other services by phone, email, mail and online where possible. The Council Committee meeting scheduled for March 23 will be postponed until a future date. Advisory Committee meetings, including the Committee of Adjustment meeting scheduled for March 18, will be cancelled until further notice. Orillia Transit continues to operate with enhanced cleaning protocols.
“As a City we continue to consult with our public health unit and hospital officials in order to implement plans that are in the best interest of the community. Closing public access to municipal facilities will encourage social distancing and help limit the spread locally. Rest assured that we are putting the necessary measures in place to continue providing critical City services as we navigate the information that is changing rapidly. As COVID-19 evolves, so does the City’s response,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “Although we are closing recreation facilities and municipal buildings, please don’t forget that a walk on a local trail or a stroll through the park, while keeping social distancing in check, is good for the body and mind during these challenging times.”
Below is a list of City of Orillia municipal facilities impacted:
- City Centre: City Centre closed for City services. Open to access City Centre tenants; however, please contact City Centre tenants directly regarding details pertaining to their individual services: Service Canada, Agilec Employment Centre, Chief Firearms Office, County of Simcoe Ontario Works.
- Barnfield Point Recreation Centre: Closed to the public.
- Brian Orser Arena: Closed to the public.
- Fire Station 1 and 2: Closed to the public.
- Municipal Operations Centre: Closed to the public.
- Orillia Opera House: Closed to the public. All events cancelled until further notice.
- Orillia Public Library: Closed to the public.
- Orillia Waterfront Centre: Closed to the public. Public washrooms are open.
- Regan House: Closed to the public.
- Rotary Place Arena: Closed to the public.
- Stephen Leacock Museum (including Swanmore Hall): Closed to the public.
- Waste Diversion Site: Administration Office closed to the public. Access to the Waste Diversion Site for dropping off materials is still in operation with a screening tool in place. Accepting only debit and credit card payment - no cash being accepted.
- Wastewater Treatment Centre: Closed to the public.
- Water Filtration Plant: Closed to the public.
The City is continuing to put into place processes to continue carrying out City services as we navigate this unprecedented situation. Please take advantage of our online and alternative payment options including:
- Payments for both tax and water bills via online or telephone banking. A drop slot is also available for payment, located outside of City Centre, 50 Andrew St. S.
- Parking tickets can be paid online
- Garbage tags are available for purchase at the Waste Diversion Site scale house and select local vendors
A full list of general phone and email contacts for City Departments is available on orillia.ca/COVID-19.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) advises the risk presented by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Orillia area is still low; however, in an effort to encourage social distancing and limit public gatherings the City is implementing these measures.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during this challenging time.
We encourage everyone to make sure they are actively following good hygienic practices common for any cold or flu bug season, such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
- before and after preparing food
- before and after eating
- after using the washroom
- Sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue then discard
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- AND stay home if you are sick
The SMDHU encourages social distancing of two meters and recommends cancellation of all non-essential travel.
For more information please visit the SMDHU website at: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Promos/Novel-Coronavirus
The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website.
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