Coronavirus (COVID-19) response

A province-wide stay at home orderis in place. Find all restrictions and public health measures at Ontario.ca. 

Changes to city services include:

  • city hall open on limited basis
  • rec centres and museums closed
  • parks and trails open with a gathering limit of 5
  • funeral services still operating

Learn about booking a vaccine on the Region of Waterloo's website.

On this page

  1. Services changes and closures
  2. Community support
  3. Business support
  4. Arts and culture support

Last updated Friday April 9 at 2:00 p.m. Translate this page.

Service changes and closures

City hall is the only city building currently open to the public. Available in-person services are below.

To visit city hall:

  1. Complete the screening form.
  2. Wear a mask.
  3. You will be greeted at the door to verify screening is complete.
City hall services open on for walk-in service
  • Parking ticket payments
  • Water and tax payments
  • Business licences
  • Rental housing licences
  • Marriage licences
  • Appeals
  • Burial permits
  • Commissioning documents
City hall services by appointment
City hall services not available in person
Cemeteries and funeral services open with restrictions

Funeral ceremonies are open to a maximum of:

  • 50 people outdoors
  • 10 people indoors

The office is closed to in-person visits. Call 519-725-9280 to make an appointment.

Outdoor facilities open regular hours

All municipal parks, trails and playgrounds are open regular hours, subject to physical distancing and gathering limit of 5.

Public washrooms available uptown

A public washroom is available at the Adult Recreation Centre, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Rec facilities and the museum closed

All rec facilities and the city museum are closed. We will contact you with further information if you were registered for swimming, day camps, rentals or other programs. 

Waterloo Sports Medicine at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex remains open. 

Waterloo libraries closed

Visit the WPL website for full details.

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.

Subscribe

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

Retail businesses open during COVID-19

If you're looking for clothing and accessory stores, health and personal care, sporting goods and hobbies, electronics, gardening supplies or general merchandise to service you during the temporary closures in Waterloo, this list has everything that is open.

View the full retail map

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

Apply to be on map

Resources for operating your business
Call for suppliers to help during COVID-19
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

  • Shopify: get a retail business online quickly with a three-month trial
  • Vidyard: free video messaging conferencing tools
  • Accelerator Centre: free mentoring workshops across Canada
  • Blackberry: secure connectivity tools free trial and Resource kits on returning to work and crisis communications

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