Coronavirus (COVID-19) response

On Friday July 16, the Region of Waterloo will enter Step 3 of Ontario's Roadmap to Reopen. More services will open and capacity limits will increase. Full details below.

On this page

  1. Services changes and openings
  2. Public washrooms available to the public
  3. Community support
  4. Business support
  5. Arts and culture support

Last updated July 16 at 10:00 a.m.

Service changes and openings

Starting July 16, more services will open and general gathering limits increase.

  • maximum 100 people for outdoor gatherings
  • maximum 25 people for organized indoor gatherings

Outdoor sports fields and diamonds will be open for team play

Starting July 12 team play and training will be allowed on city fields and and diamonds with mandatory physical distancing, no contact rules in place, and additional sport-specific COVID protocols. Spectators are allowed as long as physical distancing is maintained, with face coverings are recommended.

Outdoor funeral services limit increases to 75

Starting July 16 City of Waterloo funeral services are open to a maximum of:

  • no capacity on outdoor, physical distancing still required
  • 30 people in The Chapel, with masks/face covers and contact tracing required

Moses Springer outdoor pool opens

Starting June 12 the outdoor pool at Moses Springer Community Centre will open. Check the schedule for swim times. Registration is encouraged as walk-in space is limited.

Adult Recreation Centre and Wing 404 re-open

Starting July 12 the Adult Recreation Centre and Wing 404 will be open for limited service only. For more information on senior programming and services, call 519-579-1020.

City hall and the service centre re-open

Starting June 14 city hall and the service centre will re-open to the public. Masks are still required and you must complete a screening form before entering.

Appointments are encouraged but not required with the exception of Engineering Services.

Make an appointment 

Marriage ceremonies

Starting July 12 you will be able to get married at city hall (indoors and outdoors) with up to 9 people at the service. Walk-ins are available.

Outdoor rentals open June 14

Starting June 14 you will be able to rent outdoor spaces in parks including picnic spaces and sports fields. Visit our rentals page to book.

Indoor rec facilities and the museum to re-open

All rec facilities will be opening soon. Check back on Friday, July 16 for more details.

City of Waterloo Museum to open on August 3 with limited capacity.

Waterloo Sports Medicine at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex remains open. 

Waterloo libraries now open

Limited service available at wpl libraries.

Public washrooms available to the public

Check our public washrooms page for all locations available to the public.

Community support

For a list of local community supports, visit the Region of Waterloo's community support webpage. This includes food delivery, and public spaces open for warming or washroom use.

Waterloo at Home

City staff and community partners have come together to create Waterloo At Home - a curation of helpful tips and resources for residents to make the best of their time at home. 

Using Engage Waterloo as the platform, Waterloo At Home is a one-stop-shop for ideas, resources and stories aimed at keeping residents active, connected and creative at home. 

In This Together

It has been a tough year Waterloo, but we have shown our strength and come together as a community. 

It is important to be kind to yourself and to your community. Show your support by displaying one of our signs in your window.

Together we have made a difference in the fight against COVID-19.

Here is how you can participate:

  • print and display signs
  • take a photo of yourself with your sign
  • tweet using the hashtag #BeKindWR
  • tag @citywaterloo @RegionWaterloo and organizations like @ROWPublicHealth, local hospitals or school boards

Download and print your own In This Together poster/sign

Download and print your own In This Together colouring page.

City of Waterloo neighbourhood newsletter

We're all neighbours. Now more than ever, sharing information and having points of connection is important.

We publish a weekly email newsletter with information to help you stay informed and socially connected while physically distancing.

View current edition

Subscribe

Past editions

To contact the neighbourhoods team during this time, email neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca

Business support

Our economic development office is working with regional partners to monitor and assess developments related to COVID-19 and their impact on businesses in the City of Waterloo.

We have put together a series of resources to help during this time. For questions or additions/changes to the list, please contact ecdev@waterloo.ca or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre and Uptown Business Improvement Area also have helpful resources for local businesses.

To stay up to date on programs and business stories, sign up for the Smart Business Newsletter.

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COVID-Relief Community improvement plan

The business community has expressed a need for assistance to help offset the costs incurred due to the pandemic. As a result, the economic development office has proposed a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to offer small to medium sized businesses a grant of up to $2,500 to help businesses recover and grow.

More information on the recommended COVID-Relief Community Improvement Plan can be found on EngageWaterloo.

Restaurant, cafes and food shops in Waterloo open during COVID-19

If you're looking for restaurants, cafes or food shops to service you during the temporary closures in Waterloo, this list has everything that is open.

If you are a food service business and would like to be added to this list, please apply below.

Apply to be on map

Local and regional grants and support
Resources for operating your business
Government of Canada resources and programs

As programs are changing regularly, please check Canada’s Program for managing your Business during COVID-19 for the most up to date information.

Helping business avoid layoffs and rehiring
Helping businesses access credit and funds
Other organizations offering support

Other organizations offering support

Province of Ontario

Other organizations offering support

Local businesses helping businesses

Arts and culture support

The city's arts and culture team has put together a series of resources to help during this time.

For further updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Advocacy groups with resources
Grants and financial support
Learning resources