The Region of Waterloo is making service changes as the Province places Waterloo Region under a 28-day Ontario-wide Shutdown, starting at 12:01 a.m. on December 26, 2020. Please see the list below for service changes that are a direct result of the shutdown, as well as other COVID-19 related protocols or changes in place. Please visit and subscribe to our social media accounts and this page for more updates.
Region of Waterloo media releases
You can find more COVID information on your city or township website: Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, North Dumfries, Wilmot, Wellesley and Woolwich.
Regional Museums
The Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and Doon Heritage Village, and Schneider Haus National Historic Site will be closed to the public during the shutdown. All pre-purchased tickets to the museums will be fully refunded.
Region of Waterloo Library branches
All Region of Waterloo Library branches are reducing service levels during the shutdown. Branches will be accessible for contactless, curbside drop-off and pick up of library materials. Curbside services are available at rwlibrary.ca/librarytakeout or through our Ask a Librarian service at 226-748-8030.
Region of Waterloo International Airport
Airport administration offices will close to in-person service during the shutdown. Service by phone and online will continue. See the Airport website for all COVID-19 related closures and service suspensions.
150 Frederick Street, Regional Administrative Headquarters
Regional Administrative Headquarters will be closed to the public. Services will be by appointment only.
Community Services
Community Services will continue to provide service at its three locations and follow the COVID-19 protocols below.
Welcome Spaces are open with reduced capacity
The Welcome Spaces remain option with the following measures in place to protect everyone from COVID-19:
- Limits to the number of people in the space at one time.
- Fewer computers available.
- Time on computers may be limited to ensure everyone has access to them.
Welcome Spaces at 150 Main Street in Cambridge, 99 Regina St. S. in Waterloo, or 235 King St. E. in Kitchener will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Navigators will be available to help connect you to services you need. When you enter, you will be offered a mask free of charge if you do not bring your own.
Masks will be available in the Welcome Spaces
A bylaw is now in place that requires everyone to wear a mask in enclosed public spaces. This includes our Welcome Spaces. When you enter, you will be offered a mask free of charge if you do not bring your own.
Appointment options
There will be staff on site should you need assistance, but due to COVID-19 restrictions only phone or online appointments are offered at this time. Please call 519-575-4400 if you would like to arrange an appointment. Computers are available if you need to come to the Welcome Space to meet staff virtually. If you are an Ontario Works participant and would like to book an appointment with your caseworker, please call them directly or call the number below to be connected.
If you have any questions, please call 519-575-4400 or email Community Services general inquiries.
For more ways the Region and its partners are supporting the community during COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Community Supports page.
Grand River Transit
There will be no changes to transit services save for the customary move to the holiday service schedules between December 21st and January 3rd.
Sunnyside Home
Please visit the Sunnyside Home webpage to see the latest COVID-19 related service restrictions and protocols.
Garbage collection
Waste collection continues, as do the following COVID risk reduction rules:
- Bag all garbage (no loose garbage)
- Use a liner in the green bin and roll it down for collection;
- Tissue, napkins and paper towels should go into the garbage not the green bin.
Drop-off sites remain open with plexiglass and no contact payment. The administrative office remains closed; service is provided electronically.
See the Garbage and Recycling page for the latest Waste Collection news.
Provincial Offences Court Closures
The Provincial Offences Court Office is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for front counter service.
At the direction of the Ontario Court of Justice, all in person Provincial Offences Act (POA) trial matters scheduled in Waterloo Region from Dec. 24 until Friday, January 22, 2021 will be rescheduled to a later date. If you have a matter scheduled during this time, you do not need to attend court. A notice for your new court date will be sent by mail to the address on file with the court. Early resolution meetings and first appearance courts are being held by telephone.
For more information, please contact Region of Waterloo Provincial Offences court by emailing POA@Regionofwaterloo.ca.
If a service you are inquiring about isn't listed here, please visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/HereForYou or call 519-575-4400 for more information.
Water services
Water Services will continue to operate at full capacity, while observing strict safety and social distancing rules. Residential water audits will be cancelled until the shutdown has been lifted.
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