City of Ottawa - New COVID-19 vaccination options for prioritized Ottawa populations and occupations

Ottawa Public Heath is implementing new vaccination options to increase the ease and availability of receiving a vaccine for prioritized populations including an online pre-registration tool for drop-in appointments and a specialized vaccine clinic. These prioritized populations include residents aged 60 and older, educational and childcare workers, employees, volunteers and caregivers of residents of long-term care homes, and pregnant individuals.

New COVID-19 vaccine drop-in pre-registration tool

Ottawa Public Health has increased drop-in capacity at certain community clinics to prioritize immunizing these four groups:

• Individuals aged 60 and older
• Educational and childcare workers
• Employees, volunteers and caregivers of residents of long-term care and retirement homes
• Pregnant individuals

Starting today, residents in these priority groups can submit information via Ottawa Public Health’s new online via Ottawa Public Health’s new online COVID-19 vaccine drop-in pre-registration tool to access a drop-in appointment at a nearby clinic.

This tool screens for eligibility while collecting information about location preference to ensure a registered individual is notified quickly when a drop-in spot at a nearby vaccine clinic becomes available. If a clinic has same-day openings, individuals who register will be contacted by email or text message and asked to confirm their ability to attend a clinic.

COVID-19 vaccination clinic for residents aged 60 and older

Ottawa Public Health has increased capacity to better serve older adults in the Ottawa community who still require a third (booster) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Ottawa Public Health opened a COVID-19 booster clinic at the Nepean Sportsplex for residents aged 60 and older eligible for a third dose. Adults over 60 remain at greater risk for serious illness and complications from COVID-19. For many, their immunity is likely to have decreased and getting a third (booster) dose ensures they are as protected as possible against serious illness and complications from COVID-19. Adults aged 60 and older who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and at least 84 days (three months) have passed since their last dose are encouraged to contact Ottawa Public Health’s booking line today to book an appointment.

Clinic details:

• Nepean Sportsplex, Halls A & B, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
• January 6 from 12:45 to 7:15 pm
• January 7 to 9 from 9:45 am to 4:15 pm
• By appointment only – call OPH directly at 613-691-5505 to book

For the latest updates, visit Ottawa Public Health’s clinic information page.

Vaccinations and the public health measures in place for limiting COVID-19 transmission are our best strategy to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our frontline workers, to keep our healthcare system functioning effectively by slowing the spread of COVID-19 and support the full resumption of business and in-person learning.

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Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19 to learn more about COVID-19, how you can protect yourself and others and what to do if you suspect you may be infected with the virus. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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 COVID Booster Appointments Available for People 60+

 

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has opened a COVID-19 booster clinic specifically for residents aged 60+. As you’ve likely heard, protection decreases over time, especially in older individuals. A booster dose provides more durable protection to reduce infection, transmission, and severe disease. All booster doses are mRNA vaccines (from Pfizer and Moderna) and either are highly effective and safe no matter which type you received in your primary vaccination series.

WHO:
Adults aged 60+ who completed their primary COVID-19 series (two doses) at least 84 days (about 3 months) earlier.

WHERE:
Nepean Sportsplex, Halls A & B, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue

WHEN:
January 6 from 12:45 pm to 7:15 pm
January 7 – 9 from 9:45 am to 4:15 pm

HOW:
By appointment only. Please call OPH at 613-691-5505 to book.

Stay healthy and active and able to socialize with friends and family (as evolving public health guidelines permit) and get boosted!

Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date on this evolving situation, including on how to slow the spread of COVID-19, what to do if you suspect you have the virus, vaccination eligibility and appointments.

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 Updates

 

Recreation and cultural facilities are closed

Following the Province of Ontario modified Stage Two restrictions, the City is temporarily closing its recreation and cultural facilities, including recreation complexes, community centres, arenas, swimming pools, theatres, galleries and museums. Closures take effect on Wednesday, January 5 and will last at least 21 days, based on the Omicron situation at that time. As the result of the temporary closures, the following recreation and cultural programs will temporarily suspend operations: All reserved recreation drop-in activities – including indoor skating, swimming (public and lane swims), cardio-weight rooms, sports activities – team play and training, and indoor fitness classes Learn to swim programs Inclusive recreation programs Select cultural programs that operated by reservation only at Nepean Visual Arts Centre and Shenkman Arts Centre The start of Winter 2022 registered programs has been delayed. The City will provide more information on a new start date when facilities and activities are able to resume.

Swims for Persons with a Disability

Bob MacQuarrie and Nepean Sportsplex will once again run Swims for Persons with a Disability.  Clients are required to proof of vaccination and written documentation upon check-in at the facility, indicating the requirement for physical therapy in a swimming pool from a regulated health professional to be granted admission. The schedules have been added to the front desk booking system found on facility pages, effective January 5th.

Outdoor recreation continues

Outdoor recreation amenities – Outdoor refrigerated rinks such as the Rink of Dreams, located at City Hall, will continue with their capacity limit based on the number of individuals who can maintain a physical distancing of two metres. The capacity limit is posted on site. Other outdoor community rinks and high traffic areas at sledding hills and trails will continue with capacity restrictions of 25 persons. Smaller puddle rinks capacity will be further reduced to allow proper physical distancing of two metres. The Mooney's Bay Ski Centre at Terry Fox Athletic Facility will operate with restrictions.

Virtual recreation and cultural programs

Residents can still sign up for many virtual recreation and arts offerings from arts, fitness, music and culinary courses. Visit ottawa.ca/virtualprograms for the list of available courses and registration.

Ottawa Public Library Service Update

The Ottawa Public Library is maintaining regular hours at all branches with two-metre physical distancing and masks required in accordance with municipal and provincial health orders.  
 
Currently, proof of vaccination is not required to enter public libraries in Ontario. You can enter OPL branches to pick up hold items, browse the shelves, use public computers, etc... However,  with capacity limits in place, we ask customers to limit their stay to ensure others can enjoy a brief visit to the Library. 
 
Virtual programs and events continue but in-person programs are suspended until further notice. 
 
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.     

Thank you,  

Ottawa Public Library

Kilreen Park Rink Making Day on Sunday, January 2

When: Sunday January 2, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Kilreen Park

Details:

Come out with your skis / snowshoes / shovels to begin stomping down the snow and begin flooding the rink.

Due to the City of Ottawa COVID regulations, only fully vaccinated (two doses) people can volunteer at the city run rinks.

The current maximum number of people that can gather outdoors is 25, so our young children will not be able to participate this year in rink preparation.

We would like to encourage everyone to wear masks even though we are outdoors due to the extreme transmissibility of the Omicron variant.

We would like to thank you in advance for your time and dedication to create a place for community to enjoy the winter weather.

We are looking forward to the start of a new skating season!

City of Ottawa - City implements capacity limits at all outdoor recreation facilities

 Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Vera Etches, has issued a Letter of Instruction limiting the number of people at outdoor recreational facilities, such as ice rinks, sledding hills and ski trails. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum capacity is 25 at one time. There is also a signage requirement advising of masking and capacity limits. These regulations take effect on Sunday, December 26 at 12:01 am and apply to City and privately managed outdoor amenities.

Capacity limits

These capacity limits apply to all operators of outdoor recreational amenities, such as ice rinks, sledding hills, and trails for walking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat-biking. Parking lots, changing areas, outdoor rental counters and trailheads in particular can become congested.

• The capacity limit is determined by the number of people able to maintain a distance of two metres, up to a maximum of 25 people (with some exceptions as posted)
• The 25-person limit applies at entrances and other points of potential congestion on skating trails and ovals (such as the Brewer Skating Oval)
• All participants must maintain a physical distance of two metres, with the exception of members from one household
• Outdoor refrigerated rinks have different capacity limits and each one has its limit posted on-site; the same two-metre distancing requirements apply
• Masking is required for anyone who accesses the outdoor recreational amenity, including spectators, and highly recommended when engaging in physical activity
• Indoor changerooms and indoor clubhouses, excluding bathrooms, are to be closed to the public

There are other operational requirements to avoid crowding, such as creating one-way traffic flows as we’re familiar with in grocery stores. In addition, the new requirements include guidelines for access time limits. Details are available in the Letter of Instruction.

Signage requirements

Facility operators must post signage in a highly visible location(s) to communicate the capacity limits and the physical distancing and masking requirements. The City of Ottawa website has posters to download and print.

Impacts to outdoor City facilities

The four City outdoor refrigerated rinks, listed below, each have their own capacity limits posted on-site. Two-metre distancing rules apply. Rink operating hours are on the City website.

• City Hall Rink of Dreams
• Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink of Dreams
• Lansdowne Park Skating Court
• Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink

Neighbourhood outdoor rinks and ice pads, when weather conditions allow them to open, will have a 25-person capacity limit or less for smaller rinks and will be posted on-site. More details and updates can be found on ottawa.ca/skating.

Enforcement

Non-compliance with these regulations may result in a fine. If you witness an activity that is of concern for public safety, please report it to 3-1-1. More details are available in the Letter of Instruction.

While the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is, on average, greater indoors compared to outdoors, the risk of transmission is elevated outdoors when there is crowding, close contact, prolonged exposure and forceful exhalation, as from sports participants. As reported by the Ontario Science Table last week, without prompt intervention such as these additional public health measures, ICU occupancy could reach unsustainable levels early in January. These new requirements will allow residents to continue their outdoor activities while minimizing the risk of transmitting COVID-19, especially the Omicron variant now circulating.

City of Ottawa - The latest updates from Recreation, Culture and Facilities

 

Capacity reduced to 50 per cent

To help slow down the current surge of the Omicron variant, the Province of Ontario and Ottawa Public Health have introduced measures that limit capacity to 50 per cent at recreation and culture facilities, Continue to use the online reservation system on ottawa.ca/recreation to book a time for drop-in activities such as public and lane swims, indoor skating, fitness classes and the use of the cardio/weight rooms.

Proof of vaccination changes

Provincial regulations have changed regarding proof of vaccination. Youth, ages 12 to 17, are now required to show proof of vaccination and valid identification to access City indoor recreation and cultural facilities for most activities – including organized sports. For youth who turn 12 in 2022, there is a grace period of 12 weeks from their birthday when they do not need to show proof of vaccination. Remember to bring your proof of vaccination and identification that shows your name and birthday. Starting in January, the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code will be the only proof of vaccination accepted in Ontario.

Holiday hours

Before heading out to your local facility over the holidays, be sure to check their hours first. Find links to all the facilities here.

Dexter

Our very own parkasaurus, Dexter is celebrating this holiday season. Looking for an activity for the kids? How about making a snowman wreath?