ServiceOntario has reopened in Orillia two months after it was closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The office at 575 West St. S. closed March 20 and was open for business again starting Monday.
Its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
“ServiceOntario centres are still able to perform all essential service transactions that cannot be completed online. However, the vast majority of services do not require an in-person visit right now as they are either available online or have had their validation period extended,” explained Matteo Guinci, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
“This validation period has been extended for health cards, drivers licences, and licence plate stickers, among others. Additionally, more than 40 of the most common transactions are available online," said Guinci.
A list of services with extended validity periods can be found here.
People are being asked to do as much as possible online rather than visit ServiceOntario.
The agency is taking various precautions as it welcomes customers back.
“The office is ensuring customers physically distance as necessary due to COVID-19. Therefore, only a limited number of customers can enter a given office at a given time,” Guinci said.
“The centre also has an employee at the door screening customers and (has) set up a table outside to help customers have their forms completed and ready when they enter the office.”
When asked if customers were being required or asked to wear masks or take other safety precautions, he said, “ServiceOntario is working closely with the Ministry of Health, which is leading the province’s response to public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic — both locally and for all of Ontario. ServiceOntario is taking steps to keep both the public and our frontline workers safe.”
In addition to screening customers, staff are cleaning the offices regularly and maintaining physical distance among each other and customers.
