City of Ottawa - Significant Weather Event has been lifted

The Significant Weather Event has been lifted. The Roads and Parking Services team is continuing their work to maintain the City’s sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network, and to restore them to normal conditions.

The winter weather parking ban will end at 7 pm today, Friday, February 18.

Please exercise caution when using City sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to receive updates or subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification if a winter weather parking ban is put in place and lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today at ottawa.ca.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

City of Ottawa - Significant Weather Event declared

 

Environment Canada has identified hazardous weather for Thursday February 17. As a result, the City of Ottawa has declared a Significant Weather Event. The Roads and Parking Services team will be out maintaining the City’s sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network, but will take longer than usual to restore them to regular conditions.

A daytime winter weather parking ban will be in effect Friday, February 18 from 10 am to 7 pm.

During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. Though on-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones, we encourage those who can to find off-street parking options to avoid getting snowed-in.

Available parking

During winter weather parking bans, residents will have access to select OC Transpo park and rides as well as certain recreation centres. Visit ottawa.ca/winter for more information about which City facilities are available during winter weather parking bans.

OC Transpo cancellations and delays

Due to anticipated weather conditions, OC Transpo is advising customers of possible extensive cancellations that would result in significant delays to tomorrow’s bus service. Customers are advised to give themselves plenty of extra time when planning their commute and to exercise patience.

Stay up to date on the latest transit information by visiting octranspo.com/alerts, calling 613-560-5000 or following OC Transpo’s Twitter accounts.

Please exercise caution when using City sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network.

The fluid situation around the ongoing demonstration will result in operating constraints that will make it difficult to accessing areas near the Parliamentary precinct. The City intends to keep focus on pedestrian and emergency access routes through the area, clearing and treating sidewalks and facilitating the safe movement of emergency vehicles, where possible. Residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel in the area.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to receive updates or subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification if a winter weather parking ban is put in place and lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today at ottawa.ca.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

City of Ottawa Recreation - Capacity limits lifted

 

Following the Province of Ontario easing some public health restrictions, the City of Ottawa is lifting COVID-19 related capacity limits at many of its drop-in recreation and cultural activities now being offered at select locations – starting Thursday, February 17. The following recreation and cultural activities will allow full capacity limits, subject to staff availability: Arenas – public skating and rentals Swimming pools – public and lane swims, rentals Recreation and cultural centres – drop-in sports, weight and cardio rooms, meeting and event space rentals Museums Art galleries

Drop-in activities

Drop-in activities will operate at select locations with increased capacities where staff, space and safety resources permit. The current reservation system will remain in place to provide clients with the opportunity to secure a spot at a preferred time and to make the check-in process faster and easier. Those without a reservation will be admitted as capacity limits allow.

Safety protocols

Proof of vaccination is still required for everyone 12 years and older. Masking requirements are still in effect, as per provincial regulations.

City of Ottawa - COVID-19 vaccine boosters now available for youth aged 12 to 17

The Province of Ontario recently announced expanded eligibility for COVID-19 boosters to include all youth aged 12 to 17. The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) also recently released new guidelines on the suggested interval between COVID-19 infection and booster doses for those aged 12 and older.

Booster doses for youth aged 12 to 17

Effective immediately, youth aged 12 to 17 can receive their third (booster) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Ottawa Public Health vaccination clinics. Drop-ins are welcome at all the clinics. Please visit the Ottawa Public Health webpage for clinic locations and hours. Please consult our website regularly as clinic hours are subject to change.

If preferred, booster appointments can be booked, starting Friday, February 18, online through the provincial booking system or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. Boosters for this age group are also available at some pharmacies administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Individuals must be 12 years old on the day they receive the vaccine and six months (168 days) must have passed since their second dose. A longer interval like this between doses results in a stronger immune response and is expected to also be longer lasting. This age group will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Booster doses for people aged 12 and older previously infected with COVID-19

Vaccination continues to be the strongest protection against COVID-19, even for those with a prior COVID-19 infection. While infection alone may provide some protection, vaccination following infection is expected to strengthen the immune response and to provide a more robust and longer-lasting protection against COVID-19.

The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) recommends waiting three months after the onset of symptoms or after a positive test for COVID-19 before receiving a booster dose of the vaccine.

City of Ottawa - March Break registration is open

We are happy to be offering March Break Camps this year for four to 14 year-olds. Registration is now open. The City will be offering both in-person and virtual options in English and French and camps for Inclusive Recreation.

For those looking for in-person fun activities, camps offer a space for creative play, games, sports and crafts. Plus, Before and aftercare are available to fit with your schedules.

If you are looking for fun from the comfort of your home, then virtual camps are available. Programs range from animation, drawing and painting, to hip hop dance, karate and even junior science activities.  

Join the City for some fun and excitement this March Break!

Ottawa Public Library - Additional library services resuming at several branches starting Monday, February 7

Starting Monday, February 7, 2022, Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will offer additional enhanced in-person services in all open locations. Enhanced services include reading newspapers and magazines, and limited seating. 

Masks are required at all times and customers are asked to maintain a distance of two metres inside OPL branches. Also, given limited seating and capacity, customers will be asked to limit their time reading newspapers and magazines so that others can also enjoy this reintroduced service.  

Due to COVID-related staffing pressures, the Library’s Bookmobile will operate on a modified schedule beginning February 7, 2022, until further notice.  

Main and Rideau branches and bookdrops will be closed on Monday, February 7 due to traffic disruptions and road closures in the downtown area as a result of the ongoing convoy protest. We will advise customers when the branches reopen. The pickup location for holds not yet filled can be changed to an open branch. 

Starting Monday, February 21, Chromebooks will be available for loans (up to one hour) and online bookings (of up to two hours) for Imagine Space and Labs will resume. 

Virtual programming continues. Cardholders can visit our website for more information and to register for our programs such as Awesome Authors writing workshops, Pieced Together StoryWalkand other events to meet allages and interests. 

We continue to follow direction from the Province of Ontario and guidance from Ottawa Public Health to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community and to protect the health and safety of Library customers and employees. 
 
Online services are always available on OPL's website for browsing the catalogue, requesting library items, managing your account, virtual programs, accessing OPL’s digital collections, and more.  

City of Ottawa - Accessibility Spotlight - Support for residents through the City of Ottawa

A Human Needs Task Force was implemented as part of the City’s Emergency Management Plan and emergency response to COVID-19 to ensure that we are responsive to the emerging needs of the community.

Residents are reminded of these services once again during this difficult time as demonstrations continue to impact those that live and/or work in our downtown core.

The task force is focused on responding to immediate, medium and long-term community needs on:

• Financial and food security
• Homelessness and sheltering

If you or anyone you know are experiencing distress during this difficult time, residents are reminded to call 3-1-1 for information on City services and 2-1-1 for information on local Community based health and social services.

Residents can equally reach out to the Human Needs Task Force directly at 613-580-2424 ext. 26753 or HNTF@ottawa.ca (link sends e-mail).

To learn more about the Human Needs Task Force, including ways you can help, please visit Ottawa.ca.