COVID-19 response
Recreation facilities are fully open as of March 1. Occupancy limits have been removed and vaccinations are not required to enter. Self-screening is required to enter. Physical distancing is encouraged.
Details and the latest updates are posted below.
On this page
- Service changes
- Proof of vaccination
- Public washrooms available to the public
- Community support
- Business support
- Arts and culture support
Last updated March 21 at 3:30 p.m.
Service changes
Recreation facilities and activities reopening gradually
Starting March 21:
- recreation facilities are open to the public
- self-screening is required for facility entry
- physical distancing is encouraged
- masks are not required by the public indoors but will continue to be worn by staff
City museum now open
The City of Waterloo Museum is now open. Follow their Facebook or Instagram pages for more information: @waterloomuseum
Funeral service capacity limits
Outdoor funeral services at our cemeteries do not have capacity requirements, though physical distancing is required. Thirty people are allowed indoors at the Parkview Cemetery Chapel. Attendees must wear masks and maintain 2 metre distancing.
Cremation service viewing is available upon request. There will be a maximum of up to five people per viewing and the time is limited to 15 minutes.
Parkview offices are only taking appointments for those who require immediate service. Customers interested in future planning are being placed on a waitlist.
City hall and the service centre open, appointments recommended
City hall and the service centre are open to the public.
Appointments are encouraged for all in-person city services and required for Engineering Services.
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Marriage ceremonies operating with a waitlist
You can get married at city hall (indoors and outdoors) with up to 9 people at the service (the couple plus 7 guests). Wedding services are by appointment only and there is a waitlist.
Proof of vaccination requirements
Proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter city facilities.
Visit the province's page for the latest updates.
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.
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 biweekly email newsletter with information to help you stay informed and socially connected while physically distancing.
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 impacts 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.
COVID-Relief business grants
Our economic development office is offering a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to offer small to medium sized businesses a grant of up to $2,500 for large venues to help businesses recover and grow.
Local and regional grants and support
- KW Chamber COVID support programs
- Digital Service Squad free services
- COVID-19 safe ambassador program
- Hospitality Industry Mental Health and Well being
My Main Street programs
- City of Waterloo Main Street Program for the Uptown and University Districts
- On-Demand Courses
- Mastermind and Webinar Series
- Local Business Accelerator Program
Digital Main Street (DMS) Programs
- Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (R.A.I.S.E.)
- Canada Digital Adoption Program
- DMS SHOPHere free online store for small business and artists
- DMS Business Tools: https://digitalmainstreet.ca/tools/
Business Health and Safety Resources
- COVID-19 and workplace health and safety to help support workers, customers and public
- Region of Waterloo public health standards for businesses
- Develop your COVID-19 safety plan
Government of Canada resources and programs
- Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)
- check Canada’s Program for managing your Business during COVID-19 for the most up to date information
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
Helping businesses access credit and funds
- Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
- BDC Financial Relief for Entrepreneurs
- COVID 19 Benefit and Services
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) - closes September 25, 2021
- Black Entrepreneur Startup Program
- Support for Indigenous Businesses
- Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility
- CANExport SME's
Free mental health support for business owners and workers
- Wellness Together Canada
- TogetherAll
- Mind Beacon (free for Ontario residents)
Province of Ontario
- Business Costs Rebate Program *Updated January 2022
- Tourism Recovery Program
- Small Business Centres Ontario Programs
- COVID 19 Help for Businesses in Ontario
- Learn about opening an onsite vaccination clinic
- COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Program
Other organizations offering support
- Export Development Canada
- Farm Credit Canada
- Young Entrepreneurs
- Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
- Digital Service Squad
- Flexibility for businesses filing taxes
- Trade Commissioner Program
- Greater KW Chamber of Commerce
- PPE Access
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business
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
- Federal Support for Culture, Heritage and Sports Sector
- Canada Arts Council
- Ontario Arts Council
- Canadian Artists Representation - CARFAC
- Professional Association of Canadian Theatres
- Writers Trust of Canada
- I Lost my Gig
- Region of Waterloo Arts Fund