CITY OF ORILLIA
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Following the Province of Ontario’s strengthening of public health and safety measures and extension of the state-of-emergency declaration and stay-at-home order, the City of Orillia has adjusted its services to implement the new restrictions and emphasize the importance of staying home to save lives.
As part of the enhanced measures directed by the province to curb the spread of COVID-19, the City of Orillia is required to close many of its outdoor amenities to public access and is continuing to provide services at Orillia City Centre, 50 Andrew St. S., by appointment only. The Waste Diversion Site remains open, Orillia Transit continues to run, and municipal infrastructure projects will continue as they are deemed essential by the Province.
“We are in a dire situation with COVID-19 cases across the province reaching unprecedented rates. The message is clear - stay home and limit your close contacts to only those in your household and only go out for essential reasons,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “As a municipality, we are strongly supporting the Province’s stay-at-home order by doing what we can to limit the opportunities for gathering and crowding, while continuing to provide access to parks and trails for essential exercise.”
Under the stay-at-home order, you should only go out for necessities, such as the grocery store or pharmacy, health care services (including getting vaccinated), outdoor exercise or walking pets in your community, child care, and work that cannot be done remotely.
Indoor and outdoor organized public events and social gatherings are prohibited with the exception of one other person from outside of the household who lives alone.
For a complete overview of the health and safety measures now in effect during the state of emergency and stay-at-home order, click here.
Please note the following impacts to City of Orillia facilities and services:
- The Orillia City Centre (50 Andrew St. S.) is open by appointment only. No walk-ins are permitted. To book an appointment, click here. Residents are encouraged to continue accessing City services through the website, email and phone when possible.
- City parks and trails are open for essential exercise. Playgrounds, play structures, benches and the off-leash dog zone areas remain open. Park users must maintain a distance of at least two metres (six feet) from those outside their household. If distancing is challenging, wear a mask or a face covering.
- The following outdoor amenities have been closed and use is prohibited:
- Basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts
- Baseball diamonds, soccer fields and other multi-use fields
- Disc golf courses
- The Kiwanis Skateboard Park
- Picnic sites and picnic tables
- Building permits for residential construction can be processed and issued, and construction on any residential project that is already in receipt of a building permit can continue. We remind everyone that you cannot build without a building permit. The Development Services and Engineering Department is able to process applications to be issued once legislation allows. Applications can be submitted via email, in the drop box outside Orillia City Centre, or by appointment. For more information click here or call 705-325-2214.
- Recreational boating is not permitted during the stay-at-home order. Docks will not be installed at Couchiching Beach Park and Collins Drive at this time.
- The Orillia Recreation Centre and Brian Orser Arena remain closed to the public. All recreation programs and activities are suspended for the public and user groups. Rotary Place remains open for access to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre and vaccination clinic only.
- The Stephen Leacock Museum is closed to the public. Staff are still taking inquiries for 2021 bookings and can be reached at 705-325-1908 or click here.
- The Orillia Opera House is closed to the public. Staff are still taking inquiries for 2021 bookings and selling flex pacs for 2021 summer theatre. Contact the Box Office at 705-326-8011 or click here.
- The Orillia Public Library is closed to the public and is offering curbside pick-up of materials. Click here for more information.
- The Orillia Farmers’ Market remains open with reduced capacity. Click here for more information.
- Free five-hour parking continues to be available in all municipal pay-and-display lots. Fees for municipal permit parking lots remain in effect. Fees for on-street parking are in effect.
For more information, click here.
If you have an enforcement matter related to gatherings, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police using the non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122.
For more information on the COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Orillia click here
For COVID-19 and vaccination updates from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit click here
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