Life In The Time of Coronavirus
Navigating COVID-19 in Ottawa
16 March 2020
There is a lot of information coming in from a lot of different directions. We'll try to work through what is going on by keeping this page updated with accurate infomation. Remember to keep 😷 Ottawa Public Health as a primary source of information in Ottawa and Ville de Gatineau for Gatineau. And, if you are feeling overwhelmed, 🆘 Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region is always listening.
This page is not tracking new infections or deaths. For full information on Ontario COVID 19 cases click here. For Quebec click here. For the Government of Canada response click here.
WONDERING IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS? USE THIS TOOL FROM THE ONTARIO HEALTH MINISTRY to help determine if you have the virus. Don't trust online charts and graphics.
If you need to be tested, the COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre is located at Brewer Arena, 151 Brewer Way off of Bronson Avenue. Hours are 9am - 8pm. Do not go unless you have used the tool above.
💰🥫 People are hungry, donate to the Ottawa Food Bank
QUICK LINKS:
HOUSING
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🔌 Hydro Ottawa |
Electricity customers will not be disconnected for non-payment until July 31 Financial assistance may be available for hardship |
Automatic |
| 🔌 Hydro One |
Temporary suspension of late fees until May 7 Electricity customers will not be disconnected for non-payment Financial assistance may be available for hardship |
Automatic Call 1-888-664-9376 to discuss hardship options |
| 🏠 Evictions are Frozen but rent is not |
Tribunals Ontario has halted processing evictions and the Ministry of Attorney General has told sheriffs to halt enforcement of existing orders. The Vancouver Tenants Union has a sample letter that you can send to the landlord. (Don’t forget to change the CC: to your local MPP) |
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| 🏠 Mortages can be deferred upon request |
CMHC-guaranteed mortgages may be deferred on a case-by-case basis BUT interest will continue to accumulate and you will need to make up the payments. More info from CMHC. Non CHMC lenders are not required to do this. |
Contact your lender. |
| 🛏️ Emergency Shelter |
Existing shelters are still operating |
List of Emergency Shelters. |
MONEY
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Employment Insurance |
Regular EI is still available, with the waiting period waived. If you would receive less than $2000 per month, the CERB is a better option |
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| 💰 Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) |
The CERB pays $500 per week for up to 16 weeks to those who have lost work because of COVID 19, including contractors and self-employed people. Does not apply to those who have made any money since March 11, regardless of how small. |
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| 💰 Ontario Works |
Single people without work or eligibilty for EI/CERB may be eligible for $643 from the Ontario government as that is the princely sum Ontario believes welfare is worth. People with children receive a little more. They expect you to be looking for work. |
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| 💰 Ontario Works Emergency Assistance |
Single people without work or eligibilty for EI/CERB may be eligible for $643 from the Ontario government as that is the princely sum Ontario believes welfare is worth. People with children receive a little more. The requirment to look for work or file for regular Ontario Works is waived. |
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| 💰 GST Credit |
Based on the tax return you filed last year, a one time boost of $400 or $600 per couple. |
GST Credit Info. |
| 💰 Student Loan Deferral |
Six-month interest-free moratorium on repayment |
Automatic |
| 💰 Income Tax |
Filing due date is deferred to June 1. Payments owed are deferred until after August 31. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🚌 OC Transpo |
Operating on Saturday schedule and onboarding passengers on buses through the rear doors only. Drivers are unable to take cash or transfers. Some won’t take Presto. |
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| 🚌 STO Transit |
Operating on Saturday schedule and onboarding passengers on buses through the rear doors |
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| 🚖 Uber |
UberX is still operating but Uber Pool is cancelled |
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| 🚖 Lyft |
Lyft is still operating but Shared Rides (the pooled rides, not normal Lyft) is cancelled |
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| 🌉 Bridges to Gatineau |
Travel to Gatineau from Ottawa is restricted by police roadblocks. Only necessary trips will be permitted. There is no barrier from Gatineu to Ottawa. |
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| ⛴️ Quyon Ferry |
The Quyon ferry is closed |
Quyon Ferry. |
LIQUOR & CANNABIS
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🥃 LCBO |
Most are open but hours have changed to 11am to 6pm, Tuesday - Sunday. All stores are now closed Mondays. |
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| 🔐 Bars and pubs |
All bars and pubs are closed |
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| 🚴 The Beer Guy |
Still delivering |
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| 🍺 Ottawa’s craft beer breweries |
Many have free delivery, delivery by post, and drive-through |
Brew Donkey has an updated list . |
| 🌿 Cannabis Shops | All cannabis shops are closed but online ordering may remain open |
RETAIL, RESTAURANTS, AND BANKS
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🥫 Grocery Stores |
Grocery stores are open |
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| 💊 Pharmacies |
Pharmacies are open |
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| 🏦 Banks |
Banks are open but many branches are closed and have limited hours |
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| 📫 Canada Post |
Canada Post is open regular hours |
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| 🥡 Restaurant Delivery |
Restaurant delivery is open at many restaurants. There is no dine in. |
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| 🥤 Drive Through and Takeaway | Most fast food and coffee shops are open for takeaway. There is no dine in. | |
| 🛠️ Hardware and mechanics | Hardware stores and mechanics are open. Garden shops are closed. | |
| 🏬 All other retail shops | All shops other than the above are closed |
RECREATION
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 📽️ Cinemas |
Closed |
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| 🎭 Theatres |
Closed |
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| 🎶 Live Music |
Closed |
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| 📚 Libraries |
Closed |
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| 🖼️ Museums |
Closed |
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SCHOOLS
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🏫 Ottawa-Carlton School Board |
Closed |
Ottawa-Carleton School Board |
| 🏫 Ottawa English Catholic School Board |
Closed |
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| 🏫Ottawa French Catholic School Board |
Closed |
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| 🏫 Western Quebec School Board |
Closed |
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| 🏫 Private schools |
Closed |
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COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🎓 Algonquin College |
Closed but classes continue online |
Algonquin College |
| 🎓 Carleton University |
Closed but classes continue online |
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| 🎓University of Ottawa |
Closed but classes continue online |
GOVERNMENT
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🏛️ Ottawa City Hall | Open regular hours but public meetings have been cancelled. | Ottawa City Hall |
| 🏛️ Gatineau City Hall |
Open regular hours but the public will not be permitted to attend meetings. City Council will be webcast and questions may be emailled. |
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| 🏛️Service Ontario |
Open regular hours but recommend using the website |
Service Ontario |
| 🏛️Service Canada | Online and phone only. Offices are closed. | Service Canada |
| 🚓 Ottawa Police |
OPS will turn away anyone from their front desk who can otherwise use the website, including non-injury auto collisions and record requests |
Website |
| 🚓 Bylaw Enforcement | Will not ticket autos in residential areas in a bid to support working from home |
COURTS
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🏛️ Court Of Appeal | Closed. Urgent appeals will continue with written materials or remotely. | Ontario Court of Appeals |
| 🏛️ Superior Court of Justice |
Read the link. But mostly adjourned. |
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| 🏛️Court Of Justice |
VARIOUS. Read the link. Some people are postponed, some people must appear. |
Ontario Court of Justice |
| 🏛️Federal Court | [PDF] General sittings are cancelled, hearings and trials are postponed for two weeks. Urgent matters will be held via teleconference. Court facilities are closed to visitors though the court is open. (Thx /u/Boghaunter) | Federal Court of Canada |
TRAVEL
| Support | Description | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| 🛂 Canada/US Border | Closed to all travellers except for essential travel or trade | |
| 🛂 International Travel |
All borders closed except to returning citizens, permanent residents, and family members, and to diplomats. |
Story |
| ✈️ Ottawa Aiport | Open for domestic travel only | Ottawa Airport |
| ✈️ Porter Airlines | All flights suspended | Porter |
| ✈️ Air Canada | Still operating domestically and internationally but flights severely reduced | Air Canada |
| 🚃 VIA Rail | Two trains per day to Toronto and Montreal, most long distance routes cancelled | VIA Rail |
| 🚌 Greyhound | Still operating but reduced frequency. No cross border trips. | Greyhound |
Do you have better information? Let us know at [email protected]
