COVID-19 Information and Updates

Clarington cancels its registered winter recreation programs

Following the Provincial emergency declaration, the Municipality of Clarington is cancelling all of its registered winter recreation programs. We hope to resume drop-in programs when it is safe to do so. Clarington’s recreation facilities are closed. Staff continue to follow and review all Provincial COVID-19 regulations and evaluate their impact on our services.

Here is what you need to know:

• All registered winter programs are cancelled. Staff are monitoring the situation and will issue refunds to those affected. If you have any refund-related questions, email communityservices@clarington.net or call 905-623-3379 ext. 2552.
• Drop-in programs are also cancelled for the foreseeable future. These programs will resume when the Province lifts its emergency declaration and corresponding restrictions.
• All ice rentals have been cancelled, and refunds will be issued. Ice rentals will resume when the Province lifts its emergency declaration and corresponding restrictions.
• Stay tuned for additional virtual programs that will help keep you active and fit during the current state of emergency.
• Pending any COVID-19-related changes, spring programs can be pre-viewed on March 3, 2021. Registration is set to begin on March 10, 2021.

Ontario declares second state of emergency

The Province of Ontario has declared a second state of emergency during an announcement today. Effective on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 12:01 am, the government has issued a stay-at home-order. This order requires everyone to stay at home with the exception of leaving for essential purposes, including groceries or medical appointments. Read the Province's announcement, which includes the latest COVID-19 restrictions. 

Clarington recreation facilities remain closed

Clarington has closed all of its recreation facilities for the duration of the provincewide shutdown. We will continue to monitor updates from the Province and re-evaluate when programs can resume following all Provincial guidelines. Registration for winter programs will continue throughout the shutdown. Learn more.

Clarington continues to assess the situation and interpret the rules surrounding Ontario's emergency declaration. The Municipality may take additional measures to comply with the restrictions.

Clarington recreation facilities to close during Provincewide Shutdown

At a press conference Monday afternoon, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario will enter into a Provincewide Shutdown at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2020. The Ontario Government is urging everyone to stay at home as much as possible to minimize transmission of COVID-19 and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. All of Southern Ontario, including Durham Region and Clarington, will remain shut down for a minimum of 28 days. During the Provincewide Shutdown, the Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework will be paused.

As a result of today’s announcement, the Municipality will be closing its recreation facilities and postponing our winter programs for at least 28 days beginning Saturday, December 26 or until the shutdown ends. We will continue to monitor updates from the Province and re-evaluate when programs can resume following all Provincial guidelines.

Clarington is not cancelling the entire winter session. We recognize that when the Province scales back restrictions, our residents will want to remain active and rely on our safe and regulated programs and services.

The following is our plan for winter programs:

• All drop-in programs, including swimming, skating, use of the fitness centre and fitness classes, are cancelled and will resume on Saturday, January 23, 2021.
• Registered programs will resume beginning Saturday, January 23, 2021.
• Program registration will continue throughout the shutdown and is available online at www.clarington.net/BeActive. You can also register by phone at 905-623-3379 ext. 2552. Phone registration will not be available during statutory holidays.
• Memberships will be extended for the duration of the shutdown.
• All facility rentals are cancelled until the end of the shutdown.

If participants want to withdraw from a program, please email communityservices@clarington.net. If we don’t hear from you, we will be processing applicable pro-rated refunds in mid-January.

All other essential Municipal programs and services will continue. The Municipal Administrative Centre, located at 40 Temperance Street in Bowmanville, will remain open until Thursday, December 24, 2020, at noon. The building will then close over the holiday season, reopening on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Support and resources

To find out all the restrictions and implications of the Provincewide Shutdown in our community, visit the Durham Region Health Department website.

Additional information and resources are available to small businesses at www.ontario.ca/covidsupport, including details on the Ontario Small Business Support Grant.

What the Provincewide Shutdown means:

• Avoid contact with people outside of your household.
• If you live alone, you may have close contact with one other household.
• Limit trips outside of the home to essential reasons, including work, grocery shopping, pharmacy, health care, assisting vulnerable individuals or exercise.
• Indoor organized public events and social gatherings are prohibited.

COVID-19 safety measures:

• Wash and sanitize your hands thoroughly and often.
• Wear a face mask inside public spaces and outdoors if you cannot maintain a two-metre physical distance.
• Clean and sanitize all high-touch surfaces.

Ontario provides public health advice on celebrating the holidays safely

The holidays are going to look a little different this year due to COVID-19. To support Ontarians as they begin to safely plan for the season, the Ontario government is providing preliminary guidance on how to safely celebrate this year and protect your loved ones.

No matter where you live in the province, the safest way to spend the holidays this year is by only celebrating in person with the people you live with and celebrating virtually with everyone else. If you live alone, consider exclusively celebrating with one additional household as a safe way to spend the holidays.

Read the Province's advice on celebrating the holiday season safely.

Clarington responds to COVID-19 restrictions in the Red - Control Zone

The Municipality has made some program modifications to comply with the latest provincial Red – Control Zone regulations. Here’s a look at some of the changes Clarington has made:

Swimming
There are no changes to swimming classes or public/lane swims. Clarington has mandated strict capacity limits that adhere to the current guidelines. Change rooms remain open. Aquafit class capacity has been reduced to ten. Holiday public swimming is being planned and will be introduced in December.

Fitness
A maximum of 10 people will be allowed to workout at the Courtice Community Complex FitnessTrainingCentre. Change rooms remain closed. There are no changes to fitness classes as the capacity was originally reduced to ten people. Planning is underway for holiday fitness classes; details will be released in December.

Skating and Ice rentals
This is the area that has been impacted the most. Only ten skaters, including the instructor, are allowed on the ice with no scrimmages permitted. Only skills-based development is allowed. The Municipality is keeping several ice pads operational at the request of participating user groups.

Clarington is limiting the overall facility capacity to a maximum of 50 people in keeping with the current restrictions. The Municipality will continue to follow all Provincial directives and make operational changes as necessary. All participants affected by any of these changes have been contacted. At this time, plans for holiday skates are put on hold.

All public skates are on hold due to capacity limits. The Municipality will reassess this as regulations change.

55+ Active Adult Programming
Singles play is only permitted for pickleball, table tennis and badminton. In-person activities are limited to ten participants with two-metre physical distancing.

Marriage ceremonies and licences
Effectively immediately, the Municipality of Clarington will only accommodate marriage ceremonies and issue licences to residents residing in Durham Region.  This is a temporary restriction to prevent people from travelling to Clarington from areas that fall under a different public health unit and may be subject to different COVID-19 restrictions.

COVID-19 update from Bowmanville Older Adult Association

Effective immediately, Bowmanville Older Adult Association has cancelled all in-person activities, with the exception of their partnership Footcare Services. The BOAA facility will have limited access available for members and guests; however, 26 Beech Avenue will remain open to assist with inquiries, drop-offs, renewals and drive-thru options from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Read more about the restrictions and health and safety measures in place on the Bowmanville Older Adult Association website.

Clarington and Durham Region moving to Red - Control Zone

Starting on Monday, November 23, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. the Region of Durham and Clarington will move into the Red - Control Zone of the COVID-19 Response Framework.

For more information, read today's announcement from the Province of Ontario.

DRPS provides update to their COVID-19 response

DRPS Update #15: With the COVID-19 numbers continuing to rise across the province, residents are reminded to adhere to the rules around social gatherings in Ontario. Currently, gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. This includes outdoor spaces such as parks and school yards; students and guardians are reminded to head home after school pick-up and avoid large gatherings.

Police will be enforcing non-complaint gatherings in Durham Region and issuing tickets when necessary. Those found in violation could face a fine. Citizens can report a gathering of more than 10 people indoors, 25 people outdoors, or a non-compliant business on www.drps.ca under Online Services - Community Concerns. As a secondary option, citizens can call the DRPS non-emergency line at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5802 and leave a message. The DRPS will endeavour to respond to these calls in a timely manner, however, our focus continues to be on emergency calls for service.

Read the full press release on the Durham Regional Police Services website.

Remembrance Day in Clarington – a more intimate commemoration

The Municipality of Clarington is partnering with our local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 178 to mark this year’s Remembrance Day in a different more intimate way. Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising infection numbers, we cannot have mass gatherings at cenotaphs and monuments to pay tribute to our fallen Canadian soldiers. This year, the Municipality will be live streaming the main Bowmanville Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The live stream will be available through Clarington’s Facebook page. We encourage residents to stay home and pay tribute to our fallen heroes virtually, adhering to all Public Health guidelines.

A Facebook account is not required to watch the ceremony.

View the full press release for more information.

Celebrate Halloween safely during COVID-19

This year, the Region of Durham Health Department is recommending alternatives to door-to-door trick-or-treating.

Try celebrating by:

• Dressing up in a scary costume; be sure to include a non-medical mask or face covering for safety if you do go door-to-door.
• Making your own treats at home with your family instead of going out.
• Decorating your house, or even have a contest with your neighbours. Remember to physically distance if you’re not part of the same household and wear a non-medical mask or face covering if you can’t keep two metres (six feet) apart.

Clarington's Halloween Haunt Activity Book

To help ensure you have a fantastic and safe celebration this year, we've compiled some deliciously spooky activities to enjoy with your family. Colour, create, play and have fun with Clarington's Halloween Haunt Activity Booklet.

Mayor Foster urges residents to have a safe, healthy Thanksgiving weekend

Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster has issued the following statement leading up to the Thanksgiving long weekend:

“As we approach the Thanksgiving long weekend, we are faced with celebrating yet another holiday amid the pandemic. I urge all of you to take heed of the Provincial warnings and plan a celebration with only your immediate family. With our daily COVID-19 numbers growing steadily, it is clear that the second wave of the pandemic has arrived.

Premier Ford has asked us to pause our social circles. This Thanksgiving, I urge you to only celebrate with members of your immediate household. By limiting your exposure to others, you are protecting your own family and other members of your social bubble who may not reside in your home. We need to be extra vigilant and embrace the same cautious approach we had throughout March at the start of the pandemic emergency in Ontario.

I am also asking our community to support our Communications campaign and “think twice.” Think twice before you leave your home for an unnecessary errand. Ask yourself these simple questions: can you call instead; can you order locally online; is there another way to obtain the service you want? If we think twice and eliminate our contact with others, we are actively working to stop the spread of the virus.

Lastly, please wear your mask and go back to the basics by keeping a two-metre distance between people and practising good hand hygiene. These simple measures helped us in March as we forged ahead as a community to flatten the curve.

Most importantly, I want to wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for, and thankful we are. Stay safe. Stay healthy.”

--Mayor Adrian Foster.

• View Mayor Foster's statement on our website.

Province limits the size on unmonitored social gatherings across Ontario

The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering across the province is:

• 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
• 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).

Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas.

Read the full press release.

Statement from Regional Chair John Henry on rise in COVID-19 cases

The following statement is being issued on behalf of John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer:

“There has been a steady increase in COVID-19 cases over the past couple of weeks in Ontario. This is cause for concern, and something that should not be taken lightly as we head into the colder months and flu season.

Today, the provincial government announced that informal gathering limits will be reduced to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors throughout Ontario for at least the next 28 days, effective immediately.

In Durham Region, we have done tremendous work to flatten the curve together as a community since March, and this is no time to become complacent. We stand in full support of the province’s decision to limit gatherings across the province, including Durham Region.

We must continue to follow best public health practices as much as possible to mitigate the effects of another large spike in cases. Please respect the new social gathering limits. Stay home if you’re sick. Prioritize your trips out of the house. Wash your hands often. Wear a non-medical mask or face covering in all indoor, enclosed public spaces and maintain six feet of physical distance.

Please remember—we all have a responsibility to one another as a community. The work you have all done so far has been amazing. Make informed decisions, and make sure you are always looking out for the health and safety of yourself, your family, and your neighbours.   

We will get through this together, and together we remain #DurhamStrong.”

Access Region of Durham website.

Registration is now open for 55+ fall programs

Clarington’s 55+ Active Adults staff have been working to adapt our programming to help older adults stay connected and keep active. We are providing a variety of virtual and in-person programs ranging from fitness, general interest and recreational activities. We are also providing technology support to help people get connected. Our tablet loan program is available for anyone who needs to borrow one and staff are available by email or phone to help with technical support.

View the 55+ Virtual Fall Registration Guide (PDF) and visit www.clarington.net/beACTIVE to register. For more information, please call 905-623-3379 ext. 2525.

Register now for drop-in swimming

Drop-in swims will be available at the following facilities starting:

• September 8, 2020, at Diane Hamre Recreation Complex
• September 22, 2020, at Courtice Community Complex
• October 5, 2020, at Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre

Pre-registration is required. Book a swimming time slot.

Swimming lesson registration starts soon

Registration for all aquatic programs begins Tuesday, September 15 at 7 a.m. for Clarington residents and Tuesday, September 22 for non-residents. Online registration is strongly encouraged.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have reduced the number and types of swimming classes we are offering. We have also lowered the number of children that can register in each class to allow for physical distancing. 

Before you register, please visit our Swimming Lessons page to learn what's changed. Please also read about the additional safety measures we have implemented at our aquatic facilities.

Lifesaving, Leadership and First Aid classes will return this fall

Clarington is offering Lifesaving, Leadership and First Aid programs this this fall. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have reduced the number of participants in each program to allow for physical distancing.

Registration begins Tuesday, September 15 at 7 a.m. for Clarington residents and Tuesday, September 22 for non-residents. Online registration is strongly encouraged.

We encourage residents to continue to access our services by calling in, going online or booking an appointment ahead of time.

The following recreation facilities are open to registered program participants and community partners during their scheduled time only:

• • Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre
  • Courtice Community Complex
  • Diane Hamre Recreation Complex
  • Darlington Sports Centre
  • Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex
  • South Courtice Arena, including artificial turf field
  • Bowmanville Indoor Soccer/Lacrosse Bowl
• The fitness training centre at Courtice Community Complex is open for pre-registered workout sessions. For registration details and rules of use see our fitness page.
• South Courtice Arena Pad A and Pad B are open for public rentals. Capacity is currently limited to 20 people on the ice. Physical distancing measures will be in place, no game play is allowed, instructional or pleasure skating only and insurance is required for all rentals. Email Community Services for requests and inquiries.
• Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex Pad A side is open as a COVID-19 assessment centre. Testing is by appointment, through the online form. When individuals complete the online COVID-19 Assessment Form (covidswab.lh.ca), they will receive an instant response with the date and time of their appointment. Individuals will receive a phone call if their email is not valid. The team makes every attempt to reach an individual.
• All recreation facilities are open to rentals from our community partners with strict physical distancing and health and safety measures in place.

• Monday to Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed from noon to 1 p.m.)
• Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Closed 4 to 5 p.m.)
• Last two Saturdays of the Month (except holiday weekends) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed from noon to 1 p.m.)

Only one person will be allowed in the building at a time for the purchase of parking permits, parking ticket payments, and licensing submissions.

We ask residents with general inquires, complaint submissions, or requests for first attendances to call 905-623-3379 ext. 2105 instead of visiting the Law Enforcement Office in person.

The Clarington Animal Shelter is now open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to purchase animal licences, drop off adoption applications, and drop off stray/unwanted animals.

To adopt an animal, fill out an online application with the animal ID/name of the animal you would like to adopt. We will contact you to discuss the animal’s needs, personality and ideal forever home. A video of the animal may be provided. Before you arrive to pick up your adopted pet, you will be required to set a date and time, and the handover will be contactless. Please call the animal shelter when you arrive to allow for COVID-19 screening before you enter the shelter. No entry is allowed past the locked doors in the lobby unless an appointment is made to visit an animal.

All municipal leash-free dog parks in Clarington are open. Residents must  continue to maintain a distance of two metres at all times. We recommend bringing hand sanitizer and wearing a non-medical mask or face covering if possible.

Clarington's beaches are open. Follow the guidelines below to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while using public beaches:

• Use beaches closer to your home.
• Do not visit the beach if you have symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle aches,
  fatigue, headache, sore throat, runny nose, or have come into contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19.
• Maintain a physical distance of at least two metres (six feet) or more from people outside of your household at all times.
• Ensure physical distancing is maintained while in the water and while having fun on the shore.
• Bring alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the beach and clean your hands when you arrive and throughout your visit.
• No organized activities (beach volleyball, etc.) are allowed unless limited to one household at a time without shared equipment.

All splash pads are now open. Please maintain a distance of two metres from anyone outside of your social circle and remember to take your own hand sanitizer. If your child uses a push button to get the water started, please sanitize their hands after.

• View all splash pad locations

Clarington's playgrounds are now open, except for those under construction. The Municipality will not be sanitizing the equipment, and residents should bring their own hand sanitizer. It is the parent's or guardian's responsibility to ensure children practise good hand hygiene and use hand sanitizer before and after touching the equipment. Parents and guardians are also responsible for supervising their small children and ensuring physical distancing. While at this time, there is no limit on how many children can play on the equipment at one time, we encourage residents to use good judgment. If the playground is busy, wait until there are fewer children present or take turns. If possible, children should wear a mask.

The following municipal buildings and facilities are closed to the public:

• Visitor’s Centre
• Hampton Operations Centre
• All Fire Stations
• Clarington Museums

The following recreation facilities are open to registered program participants and community partners during their scheduled time only:

• Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre
• Courtice Community Complex
• Diane Hamre Recreation Complex
• Darlington Sports Centre
• Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex
• South Courtice Arena, including artificial turf field
• Bowmanville Indoor Soccer/Lacrosse Bowl

• Bowmanville Older Adult Association - Open with limited access.
• Brownsdale Community Centre - Closed until further notice.
• Hampton Community Centre - Open with restrictions.
• Haydon Community Centre - Closed until further notice.
• Kendal Community Centre - All hall booking postponed until further notice. Post office is still currently open.
• Memorial Park Clubhouse - Closed until further notice.
• Newcastle Community Hall - Open with restrictions.
• Newcastle Memorial Arena - Open with restrictions.
• Newtonville Community Centre - Closed until further notice.
• Orono Arena - Open with restrictions.
• Orono Town Hall - Open with restrictions.
• Solina Community Closed until further notice.
• Tyrone Community Centre - Closed until further notice.
• Visual Arts Centre - Open with restrictions.

Clarington is running our highly-popular summer camps. However, due to COVID-19 and the strict restrictions on camps imposed by the Province, camps will be modified.

Registration for camps is now open, online only, through our BeACTIVE Clarington website. Camps will begin on July 20 and will be located at four separate facilities:

• South Courtice Arena
• Courtice Community Complex
• Bowmanville Indoor Soccer
• Diane Hamre Recreation Complex

Learn more by visiting our camps page.

Residents can pay parking tickets in any of the following ways:

• Online at www.clarington.net/PayTickets
• By cheque, payable to the Municipality of Clarington
  • Please mail cheques to 2611 Trulls Road, Courtice, ON L1E 2N3 or drop it off in the drop box at the Municipal Administrative Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville) at the north entrance.

To dispute a parking ticket, please call the Municipal Law Enforcement Office at 905-623-3379 ext. 2105 to arrange an appointment. Appointments will be conducted over the phone at the arranged time.

• Property tax payments may be made at most banks or financial institutions including online and telephone banking.
• By cheque, payable to the Municipality of Clarington (please include your ROLL number on the cheque)
  • Please mail your cheque to 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville ON L1C 3A6 or drop it off in the drop box at the Municipal Administrative Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville) at the north entrance.
• Call 905-623-3379 ext. 2650 to speak with staff in the Tax Department.

• Call 905-623-3379 ext. 2105 to speak to a member of the Municipal By-Law Enforcement Team.
• Report by-law enforcement issues using Clarington’s Report a Problem form.

As a result of changes made to the Provincial Emergency Order on April 3, 2020, amending the list of essential services, the Building Division has altered its operations.

Clarington will continue to receive, process and issue building permits. However, construction can only continue or start on projects that are deemed essential by the Province. Included in the essential project list are residential projects where any of the following has occurred before 11:59 p.m. on April 4, 2020:

• a footing permit had been granted for single-family, semi-detached and townhomes;
• an above-grade structural permit had been granted for condominiums, mixed-use and other buildings, or;
• the project involves renovations to residential properties, and construction work started before April 4, 2020.

View the full list of essential construction projects as outlined on the Province's website. Clarington's Building Division will continue to complete inspections as requested on those essential projects.

If you have questions, please call 905-623-3379 ext. 2312 or email BuildingPermits@clarington.net.

• General inquiries from residents, real estate agents and developers will continue to be answered by phone and email.
• Submissions of revisions to existing development applications and plans will be accepted by email, file share and courier. Payments can be made by electronic means or certified cheque.
• New planning applications will be received and processed.
• Business can apply for temporary sign permits by applying online.
• Community Improvement Grants can be submitted online.
• Residents can continue to provide feedback on secondary plans by phone or email.

• Effectively immediately, resumes should only be emailed to resumes@clarington.net or dropped off in the mail slot at the Municipal Administrative Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville) at the north entrance.
• Until further notice, there will be no in-person interviews.
• Updates will be posted as needed regarding the recruitment and selection process.

Council and Committee meetings will continue as scheduled. Following physical distancing guidelines established during the COVID-19 pandemic, all meetings will proceed in an electronic format allowing Members of Council to stay home.  Residents can watch the meeting online at www.clarington.net/calendar.

Delegations will also proceed remotely (either electronically or by telephone). If you wish to appear as a delegation to address Council on an issue, please contact the Municipal Clerk’s Department at 905-623-3379 ext. 2109 or clerks@clarington.net. The deadline to notify the Clerk’s Department that you want to make a delegation is 4:15 p.m., one business day before the scheduled meeting. Delegates will receive information and instructions on how to access the meeting electronically.

Local businesses can visit www.investdurham.ca/CovidResponse for the latest resources and information regarding government programs, services and supports. The website will be updated daily with current information on available business supports, federal and provincial financial programs, how to access funds, and employee/employer resources.